When traveling unless families have children with them they don't usually think of visiting zoos. Here are some of the best zoos around the world that are worth visiting even if you are not traveling with children. These zoos are sure to make you glad you took a look.
Europe
The UK
Chester Zoo is located in Cheshire, England. It is home to over 35,000 animals from 500 different species. The diversity will amaze you from African painted dogs to Sumatran tigers.
The zoo has innovative islands that are replicates of the natural habitats of Southeast Asian islands. There are exhibits the highlight conservation effort and sustainability practices. Chester Zoo has numerous breeding programs for endangered species.
There are lovely gardens to explorre and engaging interactive displays.
In May 2007 Realm of the Red Ape opened. This is an Indonesian-forest-themed exhibit, featuring threatened Sumatran and Bornean orangutan.
Another exciting addition is the African-rainforest-themed sanctuary. It is home to a band of gorillas and a troop of chimpanzees, as well as okapi and a variety of tropical birds, amphibians, reptiles, fishes, and invertebrates, moving freely among lush vegetation. It includes a water ride to take visitors through the exhibit.
Scotland
Edinburgh Zoo offers habitats that house giant pandas. The zoo is dedicated to wildlife preservation with breeding programs and efforts to protect endangered species. Edinburgh Zoo was the first zoo in the world to house and breed penguins. It is the only zoo in Britain to house Queensland koalas and, until December 2023, giant pandas.
You can enjoy seeing penguins at Penguins Rock housing colonies of Gentoo, King, and Rockhopper penguins.
Named after the Budongo Forest in Uganda, the Budongo Trail facility houses a troop of 13 chimpanzees; 6 males (Louis, Qafzeh, Paul, Frek, Liberius and Velu) and 7 females (Lucy, Sophie, Lianne, Heleen, Kilimi, Edith and Masindi).
In 2005 Koala Territory opened and has three female koalas, Kalari, her daughter Myaree and niece Talara. Koala Territory is decorated with Aboriginal-inspired artwork, and features a garden of eucalyptus plants.
Wales
Welsh Mountain Zoo has over 140 species and is located near the town of Colwyn Bay. In their habitats you can see majestic snow leopards an endangered species.
The zoo bred the very first Bactrian camel.
You can see red pandas climbing trees. There are interactive displays and educational programs.
Among the highlights is the Papilo Forest, a tropical butterfly habitat.
France
Beauval Zoo is home to over 35,000 animals, including the iconic giant pandas.The zoo is located in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, Centre-Val de Loire. Over 35,000 animals make their homes here.
This was the first zoo in France to house big cats like white tigers and white lions.
There are also endangered species like okapis, tree kangaroos, koalas, and giant pandas.
In four greenhouses you'll find birds, great apes, sloths, reptiles, manatees, and Australasian animals.
Three plains present herbivores of the African savanna (like giraffes, white rhinos and antelopes), African elephants and Asian herbivores (such as Indian rhinos and Malayan tapirs).
There are many other thrilling attrctions such as the Sea Lions' Odyssey.
Also the Manatee Basin with West Indian manatees.
Germany
Berlin Zoo is the oldest surviving and best-known zoo in Germany. it opened in 1844 and is located in Tiergarten. There are about 1,380 species and more than 20,200 animals. It all begins at the historic entrance to the zoo and interactive exhibits and educational programs engage visitors of all ages
It maintains and promotes European breeding programs, helps safeguard several endangered species, and participates in several species reintroduction programs.
The zoo houses four types of great ape: orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos.
The carnivore house displays all big cats and many rare small predators, such as ring-tailed mongooses and narrow-striped mongooses from Madagascar.
Austria
Schonbrunn Zoo is located on the Schönbrunn Palace grounds. It is the world's oldest zoo established in 1752 and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Franz Josef Land facility is home to polar bears. It features a pool that lets visitors see polar bears swimming underwater.
The Polarium, for cold water animals, is home to South American sea lions and penguins.
The Rainforest House has rare species such as the northern river terrapin, Asian small-clawed otters, various birds, flying foxes, and Fiji banded iguanas.
Visitors enter the Aquarium and Terrarium House through the crocodile pavilion. Species here include piranhas, lionfish, moray eels, jellyfish, and rays, as well as a large coral reef with hundreds of Indo-Pacific fish. A tunnel aquarium with arapaimas leads to the terrarium building where snakes, iguanas, Aldabra giant tortoises, and other reptiles reside.
The Haidachhof is a two-storey Lower Inn Valley farmhouse dating back to 1722.This is home to endangered breeds of farm animals such as Tux-Zillertal, Pustertaler Sprinzen, Noriker horses, Carinthian sheep, Original Braunvieh, Tauernsheck goats and Sulmtaler chickens have been kept here in the stables since then.
Switzerland
Zoo Zürich, located in the heart of Switzerland, is a sanctuary where nature and wildlife thrive. With a stunning Masoala Rainforest exhibit, it offers a diverse journey into the world of animals.
Among the most popular exhibits are the Asian elephants.
The zoo is known as the only and first European institution to breed Galapagos turtles.
Visitors can enjoy seeing lemurs leaping in trees. There are interactive displays and educational programs to enjoy.
Czech Republic
Prague Zoo has more than 5,000 animals. You can enjoy scenic landscapes and innovative exhibits.
Among the most popular are giraffes grazin in open savannas.
Frolicking penguins in ice habitats.
The zoo is dedicated to wildlife preservation and has breeding programs and makes efforts to protect endangered species. Engage with interactive displays and educational tours that bring the world of animals to life.
Spain
Loro Parque zoo is located on the outskirts of Puerto de la Cruz of Tenerife. It has a extensive and diverse reserve of animal and plant species. It is a paradise for parrots and has become one of the biggest attractions in the Canary Islands.
Among the highlights are the colorful parrots.
Dolphin shows captivating audiences with acrobatics and intelligence.
The penguins in the Antarctic display.
Other animals at the zoo include include chimpanzees, western lowland gorillas, emperor tamarins, California sea lions, Asian small-clawed otters, meerkats, red pandas, jaguars, white tigers, lions, pygmy hippos, capybaras, giant anteaters, American alligators, Galápagos tortoises, African spurred tortoises, exotic fish, seahorses, and various sharks.
The Madrid Zoo Aquarium is located in the Casa de Campo in Madrid, Spain. There are more than 6000 animals.
Among the highlights are acrobatic dolphins.
Also elephants are popular.
Interactive displays and educational programs engage visitors of all ages.
About the Creator
Rasma Raisters
My passions are writing and creating poetry. I write for several sites online and have four themed blogs on Wordpress. Please follow me on Twitter.
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