Zoopark na Hrádečku is a private zoo in rural southern Bohemia (10 hectares), near Austrian border. It is definitely one of the better ones when you consider quality of animal husbandry. They don´t acquire species if they can´t keep it decently. Recent births include a Highland cattle, llama, Patagonian mara, Garden Tree Boas, Spotted Poison Frogs, African ostrich and four marmoset species. Under construction are three new exhibits that should be ready for next season - a new paddock for their maras, a new house and outside exhibit for servals and common slender mongooses, and an aviary and heated house for macaws. The zoo got financially hurt by long closures during lockdown but this summer season brough decent attendance. The zoo also offered and filled its usual children summer camps. Animal adoptee day in early September saw 190 guests who got thanked for their support during recent hard times. Article
Zooparks facebook mentions, besides new exhibits for maras, macaws and servals also expositions for squirrel monkeys and golden-headed tamarins to be open next year
Some more historical dates on this cute private zoo. It is owned by a married couple - the wife is the grounder and managing person. It started as a private animal collection 10 years ago on empty agricultural land. They were slowly building animal enclosures and planting trees while offered guided tours and opening hours on some days (free of charge) till 2016. After they got their zoo licence, they have normal daily opening hours May-Oct. And recently they also open on winter weekends due to demand. They have 15 full-time employees plus seasonal service staff. Attendance: 2017 - 37.000 2018 - 61.000 2019 - 69.000 2020 - 87.000 2021 - I haven´t seen any figure yet but based on similar zoos and tourist places in vinicity they should see a marked increase on their 2020 numbers.
Most recent offspring is twins of spotted hyena and a single Angolan guereza kid. The new enclosure for servals and mongooses is basically done and ready, common slender mongooses already moved in. New aviary for macaws is still not completed, it needs netting and some landscaping.
Going through their FB and it seem they are doing fine, full season (open daily) is already since first of April. Few days ago, a single spotted hyena cub was born. They have also freshly hatched elongated tortoises. And twins of golden-headed tamarins from February. New species is blue-winged kookaburra (a male from Ostrava). At the moment kept backstage and waiting for a female from Attica zoo.
Yesterday, their only European wolves (0,3 on loan from Plzen zoo) were transported to Steppentierpark Pamhasen in Austria. Their new enclosure is much more spacious. The zoo no longer keeps ring-tailed lemurs. 4 lemurs, together with 3 young emus, were sent to Dehiwala zoo (Sri Lanka) few days ago. In exchange, Dehiwala should send several fishing cats back. Both former wolf and lemur enclosures will get new species in future, both should be endangered species, but no mention of what species exactly. A new species in collection is souslik (European ground squirrel) - 8 animals arrived from Hluboka in July. It got a nice new enclosure.
Some updates according to their media posts: New species on show: common bronzewing, grey-capped emerald dove, red turtle dove They received 2.2 budgerigars from zoo Ohrada - they are of wild form (going back to birds that Köln imported from Australia some years back). They moved in with princess parrots. Female blue-winged kookaburra arrived from Attica zoo in October, to get paired up with resident male. Angolan guereza male arrived from zoo Magdeburg. He should form a breeding group with 3 resident females. (the zoo mentions that only 21 Angolan guerezas live in European zoos now). A pair of blue magpies arrived from zoo Hodonin. 0.2 fishing cats arrived from Pinnawala zoo in November and will be paired with males. After 1 month qurantine time, one 1.1 will go on loan to zoo Brno and 1.1 will stay at Na Hradecku. 9 Bredl`s python babies hatched recently. Wet snow layer of last weekend has pushed the zoo to close for a week to clean it, but apart of one netted aviary, they dont have other damages and are open again this weekend.
The zoo announced they bred a Pygmy marmoset. The zoo accepted from state authority 2.2 pygmy marmosets and 0.1 white-lipped tamarin found at Vienna airport last year. Austrian customs seized total of 13 monkeys of 3 species because they were accompanied by forged Czech documentation and handed over to Czech authorities to help investigate the crime and handle the animals. Source
A baby elongated tortoise hatched. Their single Canada lynx called Macik unfortunately died. RIP Source And the terrarium house is currently closed. It undergoes reconstruction. It should re-open in late spring.
Two new species arrived and are on show - white-faced saki (a pair) and southern three-banded armadillo (a male). Source
Two welcome additions, especially the 2 unrelated fishing cats ex Sri Lanka. (animal exchange for 4 ring-tabled lemurs and 3 emu! - as @Jana reported earlier)
