what is the best zoo in europe
- Thread starter tiger guy
- Start date
It's completely subjective, I'd say the following are contenders:
That being said there is plenty of great zoos in Europe so for the sake of "completion" I think the following may also be considered by some but personally I think they are just a tier below the ones listed above:
- Tiergarten Schönbrunn, Austria
- Pairi Daiza, Belgium
- Prague Zoo, Czechia
- Tierpark Berlin, Germany
- Zoo Berlin, Germany
- Tiergarten Nürnberg, Germany
- Burgers' Zoo, Netherlands
- Zürich Zoo, Switzerland
- Chester Zoo, United Kingdom
That being said there is plenty of great zoos in Europe so for the sake of "completion" I think the following may also be considered by some but personally I think they are just a tier below the ones listed above:
- Antwerp Zoo, Belgium
- Bioparc Zoo Doué-la-Fontaine, France
- Réserve Africaine Sigean, France
- ZooParc de Beauval, France
- Frankfurt Zoo, Germany
- Tierpark Hagenbeck, Germany
- Kölner Zoo, Germany
- Leipzig Zoo, Germany
- Apenheul, Netherlands
- Diergaarde Blijdorp, Netherlands
- Bioparc Valencia, Spain
- Loro Parque, Spain
- Basel Zoo, Switzerland
Glad to see these two up there with the big boys, truly amazing parks.
TP Berlin has to be my favourite park but I sadly haven't visited it, out of the ones I've visited Beauval, Sigean and Vincennes take the cup.
Good is subjective, but for the average visitor (who isn't a zoo nerd) probably Nurnberg, Burgers, Zurich, Chester don't belong in the top tier. Collection (of popular animals) is all that counts for the average visitor, not exhibit design (so long as it's acceptable) or conservation.
Under those metrics, Prague, 2 Berlin zoos, Beauval, Pairi Daiza, Schonbrunn deserve a top tier ranking.
If we're talking about innovation in animal conservation, captive breeding, Prague takes top spot.
For animal welfare, of the top 6 zoos: Berlin Zoo, Schonbrunn, Pairi Daiza are absolutely mediocre. Chester is possibly the best of the bunch because its exhibits are the newest.
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I disagree, most of the public do not really care about rare species counts or whatever... I would say zoo nerds would care way more about that! And either way I can say as a Chester local they definitely have most of the iconic species the public love. Presentation and such are definitely what impresses the public. I don't know how anyone could say zoos as extravagant as Burgers, Zurich, and Chester wouldn't be up there for the public with their great tropical halls and lots of iconic species in amazing habitats... Chester alone is actually one of the most popular attractions in the UK outside of London.
I've visited both Berlin's, Zurich, and Chester with family who aren't interested in zoos and yes they did enjoy all of them but I think they enjoyed Berlin the least because a lot of the exhibits are a bit basic and repetitive in comparison. I also definitely wouldn't say the welfare at Berlin is mediocre, there is some overall mediocre exhibits but most are quite good. Tierpark Berlin did have some pretty bad ones until recently but those no longer exist.
Chester Zoo has definitely got to be up there. It’s got a tonne of the most popular zoo animals in some really well themed exhibits. Some highlights include:
-The Islands and Monsoon Forest
-Fruit Bat Forest
-Tropical Realm
-Spirit of the Jaguar
-Tsavo Black Rhino Reserve
-Elephants of the Asian Forest
-Latin American Wetland Aviary
Chester Zoo is also planning a huge expansion called the ‘Heart of Africa’, which will feature a huge complex of African Savanna habitats incorporating Giraffe and other species that already exist in separate enclosures at the park, as well as another enormous Tropical house featuring Gorillas, Pygmy Hippos and more Rainforest species. The only thing that this zoo was noticeably missing was a species of hippopotamus, so this expansion will elevate this zoo even further.
-The Islands and Monsoon Forest
-Fruit Bat Forest
-Tropical Realm
-Spirit of the Jaguar
-Tsavo Black Rhino Reserve
-Elephants of the Asian Forest
-Latin American Wetland Aviary
Chester Zoo is also planning a huge expansion called the ‘Heart of Africa’, which will feature a huge complex of African Savanna habitats incorporating Giraffe and other species that already exist in separate enclosures at the park, as well as another enormous Tropical house featuring Gorillas, Pygmy Hippos and more Rainforest species. The only thing that this zoo was noticeably missing was a species of hippopotamus, so this expansion will elevate this zoo even further.
You are getting some things confused. Chester had two plans both called Heart of Africa. The original one around 2010 was the tropical house but it was scrapped and replaced with Islands. The current Heart of Africa project is the savanna one!
That being said, they do want to still get gorillas and pygmy hippos eventually though this will be in at least 5 years at the very earliest I imagine and would be a separate project.
Ah what a shame - that tropical house would’ve been an amazing addition.
I hope Chester does at some point build a habitat for either Common or Pygmy Hippos. I remember on my visit thinking that they were the only animals that I was really missing.
Actually surprised that you put both Berlin zoos and Nuremberg on your top list but not Leipzig Zoo which is often said to be the best German zoo.
In my opinion Leipzig indeed is better than Berlin and Nuremberg because it has the most modern enclosures (of these four zoos) and not really a weak enclosure in terms of animal welfare while Berlin (at least the zoo) and Nuremberg still have quite a few crappy exhibits.
Very fair, Leipzig is definitely amazing!
Literally most major zoos in germany or better yet, just come to the ruhr area!
So we got in an area of 1 hour to each zoo if your in the center of it (Düsseldorf would be a good choice):
And thats not even all as their are still more smaller zoos, like the zoo mönchengladbach, fauna zoo, zoo solingen or colognes and düsseldorfs tierparks that while i wouldnt travel to visit them are also in this area and nice little zoos worth checking out.
And i repeat, all of them in a bubble of roughly 1 hour of driving from the center
So we got in an area of 1 hour to each zoo if your in the center of it (Düsseldorf would be a good choice):
- Zoo cologne, the zoo with the 6. most species in the EAZA (763)
- Zoo wuppertal, known for its many rare species like yellow backed duikers, baird tapir or babirusa, while also having most zoo staples and the as far as i know largest lion habitat in europe
- Aquazoo Düsseldorf, a historic aquarium with a very strong focus on conversation, holding and breeding many rare in zoo and endangerd fish, reptiles and especally amphibeans
- Zoo krefeld, another historic zoo which had the first "modern" animal house in the world with the now sadly burned down primate house, but currently building a new and better primate park. Also keeps the as far as we know possibly last mountain anoas in the world
- Zoo duisburg, a rare zoo with an australia focus and one of the last 2 that hold dolphins in germany
- zoo dortmund, the zoo that revolutionised the husbandry for giant anteaters and has born more cups then any other zoo in the world
- zoo bochum, a rather small park but one with an impressive aquarium and reptile collection that also doubles as a museum with many different fossils, even being called zoo + fossilium
- zoom zoo gelsenkirchen, second largest and imo best of these zoos and not only i think that as it has repeatedly won the price for the best family attraction in germany in the last 9 years
And thats not even all as their are still more smaller zoos, like the zoo mönchengladbach, fauna zoo, zoo solingen or colognes and düsseldorfs tierparks that while i wouldnt travel to visit them are also in this area and nice little zoos worth checking out.
And i repeat, all of them in a bubble of roughly 1 hour of driving from the center
Pairai Daiza (Belgium) has received the award for Best Zoo in Europe 5 or 6 years in a row since 2017 or 2018 (I can't remember). It's a park I know very well and I can tell you it's absolutely magnificent. It has over 7,000 animals and architectural wonders representing different cultures around the world, including a Balinese village with absolutely magnificent temples. Like many zoos today, Pairi Daiza is involved in conservation and rehabilitation programs for many endangered species. The park is truly a model in this field.
It is also possible to sleep on site, as lodges are available with views of various animals (walruses, Siberian tigers, brown bears, Steller sea lions, etc.). And to be honest, the park is so big that it's hard to visit in 1 day, so it's a good idea to sleep in (but it does come at a price, and it's quite expensive).
Finally, two new zones are currently under construction and are due to open in 2024 and 2025: a zone dedicated to Japan and a huge tropical greenhouse mainly dedicated to South America.
I hope I've aroused the curiosity of some people unfamiliar with the park
Edit: I would have add that there is a Tasmanian Devil in the park but he passed away this week (RIP Colin). Please Frontier, give us the Tasmanian Devil. We've waited too long for it and now I must honor the memory of Colin.
It is also possible to sleep on site, as lodges are available with views of various animals (walruses, Siberian tigers, brown bears, Steller sea lions, etc.). And to be honest, the park is so big that it's hard to visit in 1 day, so it's a good idea to sleep in (but it does come at a price, and it's quite expensive).
Finally, two new zones are currently under construction and are due to open in 2024 and 2025: a zone dedicated to Japan and a huge tropical greenhouse mainly dedicated to South America.
I hope I've aroused the curiosity of some people unfamiliar with the park
Edit: I would have add that there is a Tasmanian Devil in the park but he passed away this week (RIP Colin). Please Frontier, give us the Tasmanian Devil. We've waited too long for it and now I must honor the memory of Colin.
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In my opinion, Pairi Daiza is an overwrought, ethnographic monstrosity that makes a mockery out of efficient/utilitarian zoo design. Never been a fan of theme parks masquerading as zoos but the design is truly horrifically vulgar. Layout is horrible and confusing also. Lots of space is wasted which could go to animals. Also, parts of the park are falling apart due to lack of maintenance (all those buildings cost a fortune to maintain which could be going towards animal welfare).Pairai Daiza (Belgium) has received the award for Best Zoo in Europe 5 or 6 years in a row since 2017 or 2018 (I can't remember). It's a park I know very well and I can tell you it's absolutely magnificent. It has over 7,000 animals and architectural wonders representing different cultures around the world, including a Balinese village with absolutely magnificent temples. Like many zoos today, Pairi Daiza is involved in conservation and rehabilitation programs for many endangered species. The park is truly a model in this field.
It is also possible to sleep on site, as lodges are available with views of various animals (walruses, Siberian tigers, brown bears, Steller sea lions, etc.). And to be honest, the park is so big that it's hard to visit in 1 day, so it's a good idea to sleep in (but it does come at a price, and it's quite expensive).
Finally, two new zones are currently under construction and are due to open in 2024 and 2025: a zone dedicated to Japan and a huge tropical greenhouse mainly dedicated to South America.
I hope I've aroused the curiosity of some people unfamiliar with the park
Edit: I would have add that there is a Tasmanian Devil in the park but he passed away this week (RIP Colin). Please Frontier, give us the Tasmanian Devil. We've waited too long for it and now I must honor the memory of Colin.
Even if you do insert cultural elements in your zoo, please do it tastefully and discretely. Pairi Daiza is an example of excess and harkens back to early 20th century zoo design which tried way too hard to be "exotic" often at the detriment of animal welfare. When you visit the zoo, the animals are meant to be the attraction with the buildings in the backdrop preferably blending in with the environment as much as possible. In this zoo however, the buildings are annoyingly distracting preventing you from just focusing on the animals.
Their animal collection is first rate but their admission prices are steep (probably due to the expense of running the place and building more grotesque structures). Thanks to the annoying buildings getting in the way you probably can't see everything in just one day, but you may need to buy a 2 day ticket. Trust me, Indonesian buildings in Belgium with all the wrong climatic flora looks really out of place and strange and I feel like the park attracts people who just see animals as entertainment.
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You're the first person I've met who's said these kinds of things about Pairi Daiza. I respect your opinion. The architecture within the park may indeed seem too much and distract visitors, but I've never personally had that feeling. For me, the (obviously subjective) beauty of the buildings is just an added bonus that I take the time to look at when I walk between the various enclosures. I can also imagine that you're not a fan of the buildings proposed by the Planet Zoo developers, because they're in the exact same style as what Pairi Daiza offers.
As for the upkeep of the buildings, perhaps you know that the park was built around the ruins of an old monastery, hence the condition of some of the buildings. These ruins were totally forgotten before the park was built, and it's thanks to the it that they've been brought back to the forefront of Belgian heritage. Sadly, the ruins have become a secondary, even tertiary, feature of the park as it has grown in size. Initially, the idea was simply to create a ornithological park around the ruins.
Also, following the creation of a new entrance for the zoo, the area that corresponded to the old one has been undergoing work for over a year to turn it into a new small farm. The rest of the park (over 80% of the surface area) is extremely well maintained.
Finally, as far as the welfare of the animals is concerned, I can only rely on what I see and what I know about the zoo, as I don't work there. The park has been praised many times on this subject. It's certainly not the best in Europe, but it's far from bad in this area. Some enclosures could be optimized by being enlarged, but generally speaking, the space left to the animals is nice. From the 5 zoos I have seen in my life, Pairi Daiza is the best there.
PS: I'm not here to do any special advertising for the park. I was simply answering the question posed by giving my opinion on a park I know very well and which is internationally renowned. People are free to like it or not
As for the upkeep of the buildings, perhaps you know that the park was built around the ruins of an old monastery, hence the condition of some of the buildings. These ruins were totally forgotten before the park was built, and it's thanks to the it that they've been brought back to the forefront of Belgian heritage. Sadly, the ruins have become a secondary, even tertiary, feature of the park as it has grown in size. Initially, the idea was simply to create a ornithological park around the ruins.
Also, following the creation of a new entrance for the zoo, the area that corresponded to the old one has been undergoing work for over a year to turn it into a new small farm. The rest of the park (over 80% of the surface area) is extremely well maintained.
Finally, as far as the welfare of the animals is concerned, I can only rely on what I see and what I know about the zoo, as I don't work there. The park has been praised many times on this subject. It's certainly not the best in Europe, but it's far from bad in this area. Some enclosures could be optimized by being enlarged, but generally speaking, the space left to the animals is nice. From the 5 zoos I have seen in my life, Pairi Daiza is the best there.
PS: I'm not here to do any special advertising for the park. I was simply answering the question posed by giving my opinion on a park I know very well and which is internationally renowned. People are free to like it or not
In the UK, we are much used to wire and wood enclosures rather than giant temples and such.