Zoo Rating: Colchester Zoo

Colchester Zoo

Colchester, United Kingdom

About the zoo

Colchester Zoo is a 60 acres big zoo that houses over 260 species of animals. The zoo opened in 1963 as the Stanway Hall Zoo Park. Later, it became Colchester Zoo, now one of the most well-known zoos in the United Kingdom.

 

 

 

 1. Species

Colchester Zoo houses many rare species, including gelada baboons, smooth-coated otters, pileated gibbons, southern tamandua, red-backed beared sakis, lesser Malayan chevrotain and more. Next to that, there are also the well-known zoo animals. This all together makes Colchester Zoo a nice species list.

Score: 8

2. Animal Welfare

Most of the rare kept animals have been breeding in Colchester Zoo. Besides, all animals have enclosures which are perfectly adapted to their needs, and they're big enough aswell. Not many bad things to say about Colchesters animal welfare.

Score: 8

3. Construction

The whole zoo is themed very nice, bringing you home in the habitat of the animals. Colchester isn't like the regular zoo that has animals in (nice) cages, but the zoo really did its best to make it look beautiful outside the enclosures as well.

Score: 8.5

4. Accommodations

Around almost each corner you will find yourself a place to buy a drink or a snack. There is a big difference in the food you can buy at the stands, so you'll most definitely find something you'll like.

Score: 8.5 

 5. Education

Colchester zoo has been on TV for some weeks, but in the zoo itself you can't find much about that. There are a lot signs around the zoo, and there are some feeding presentations which are educative aswell.

Score: 7.5

6. Interaction

Apart from some walkthrough enclosures, there isn't that much interaction with the animals.

Score: 7

 

 

Total Score: 7.9

Colchester zoo is one zoo you should definitely visit. It has a big variety of animals, has a great atmosphere and makes a great daytrip.

Gerben, 24/05/2014.

 

Zoo Rating: Dierenpark Emmen

Dierenpark Emmen

Emmen, The Netherlands

 

 

About the zoo

Dierenpark Emmen, formerly known as Noorderdierenpark Emmen, is a Dutch zoo that opened it’s doors in  1935. In 2011, it’s voted as best zoo in the BeNeLux (Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg). The zoo will move from the centre of the city to the edge. The new zoo will open in 2015. It will be called WILDLANDS, Adventure Zoo Emmen.

1. Species

Dierenpark Emmen houses about 160 species of animals. Most of these are quite common in zoos, and there aren’t any special species at all why you should definitly visit the zoo. They attract visitors with their Asian Elephants group, and the zoos has the biggest Humboldt Penguin group in the world. In the past the zoo housed Kodiak bears, which were quite special in The Netherlands. In 2011, the last bear died and Spectacled bears joined the zoo instead.

Score: 6.5

2. Animal welfare

There are hardly any negative sounds about the animal welfare in Dierenpark Emmen. This is with the exception of the South American Sea Lions group, which all got killed by a virus in 2006, and the death of Elephant Annabel which fell into the ditch of the exhibit in 2009. The enclosures in the zoo are spacious and not too crowed by animals.

Score: 7.5

3. Construction

For the visitors, Dierenpark Emmen is a feast for the eyes. There are hardly any (disturbing) fences in view and the animals are very well visable. Next to that, there are some walkthrough enclosures and a glass house that contains various species.

Score: 8

4. Accommodations

Dierenpark Emmen has got 2 big restaurants and two smaller facilities. The entrance is in a building called the Biochron, which is also used  as museum, aquarium and butterly house. Next to the entrance is a zooshop. The new part of Dierenpark Emmen, which was opened before with 3 enclosures and a building, called Yukatan, is now unavaiable to public due to operations, but will open again with the new zoo in 2015. Yukaten is a big indoor playground which also houses some reptiles and a bat cave. There are some more indoor facilities, e.a. an African and an Asian House, as well as the big glass house called the AmeriCasa.

Score: 7.5

5. Education

With the Biochron and a smaller water plant in the newer part (also closed) Dierenpark Emmen definitly does something with education. Next to that, each animal has got it’s own ‘passport’ next to the enclosures with information.

Score: 7

6. Interaction

With the exception of some feeding presentations there isn’t much about interaction in Dierenpark Emmen. There are some events now and then, but in most cases they don’t have anything to zoo with the animals.

Score: 6

 

7. Total Score: 7.1

Dierenpark Emmen isn’t very special compared to other Dutch zoos, but you’ll definitly enjoy yourself there for a day. If you just like to see animals in a nice and spacious environment, Dierenpark Emmen definitely fits you. If you’re more searching for special species, it might not be the best zoo around. But, then still, Dierenpark Emmen is worth visiting once.

Gerben, 03/05/2014.

Zoo Rating: Antwerp Zoo

Antwerp Zoo

Antwerp, Belgium

 

 

About the zoo

Antwerp Zoo (Dutch: ZOO Antwerpen) is a zoo in the centre of Antwerp, Belgium, located right next to the Antwerpen-Centraal railway station. It is the oldest animal park in the country, and one of the oldest in the world, established on 21 July 1843. It houses a wide variety of species from all over the world.

1. Species

Antwerp Zoo houses about 350 species of animals. Alot of these are quite rare in zoos. Slender lorises, a Black-and-rufous elephant shrew, Eastern lowland gorillas and Dusky pademelons are prime examples of those of those. Besides those, Antwerp also has a lot of the regular zoo animals like lions, tigers, giraffes, hippos and elephants.

Score: 9,5

2. Animal welfare

The animals at the Antwerp Zoo are well cared for, they get top-notch care and the Zoo has good breeding results with several endangered species such as okapis and congo peafowl. However, some of the enclosures are quite small which doesn’t allow the animals to get a lot of exersize.

Score: 7

3. Construction

The enclosures at the zoo of Antwerp are often quite old and thus rather small. There are still quite a lot of iron bars and some of the primates don’t have access to outdoor enclosures. They will try to improve a lot of these enclosures in the future though, and a lot are improved already.

Score: 7

4. Accommodations

There are several restaurants spread over the park, as well as playgrounds for the children. There are also plenty of benches to sit on and enough toilet facilities.

Score: 8

5. Education

There are signs at every enclosure and from experience I can tell, visitors can ask the keepers anything they want. With special species like the okapis (for which Antwerp coordinates the SSP) they offer extra signs with more info than just the general information about the species.

Score: 8

6. Interaction

There is a bit of interaction between the visitors and the animals at Zoo Antwerp, beside the feeding presentations and several events in holidays, there are a couple of walkthrough enclosures where visitors can get quite close to the animals.

Score: 7

7. Total Score: 7.8

Zoo Antwerp is definately a must see zoo. It has a ton of rare species and the atmosphere is splendid (thanks to all the old buildings and all the care for the flowers). The only downside are the small old enclosures on site, however these are being improved.

Jasper, 05/05/2014.

Zoo Rating: Friguia Park

Friguia Park

Hammamet, Tunesia

 

 

About the zoo

Friguia Park in Hammamet is the most well-known zoo in Tunesia. With over 400 animals, divided among about 60 species are housed in the 36 acres big zoo.  Most of the zoos residents are African, but there are some other species as well. Next to the real zoo is a Dolphinarium, which you have to pay for seperately.

1. Species

The zoo doesn’t have much species why it’s definitly worth visiting, especially for natives. The zoo does have some big cats, elephants and also dolphins, however these aren’t that uncommon and aren’t very active either in the African warmth.

Score: 6

2. Animal Welfare

Although the animals are kept in enclosures that are big enough, not all of them have shelters to get out of the sun. Especially for the non native animals, this isn’t a good thing.

Score: 6

3. Construction

The entrance area and the first couple of enclosures you see upon entering the zoo are nice, even better than you might expect for a simple African zoos. However after passing a couple of enclosures, you will be seeing animals in simple squarish enclosures with only single tree. Aside from that, some animals enclosures are far away from the pathways, so you often can’t see them properly.

Score: 5

4. Accommodations

The zoo isn’t that big, so there aren’t that much accomodations needed. They do meet the requirements, but aren’t that special. They do have a Sea Lion show in the Zoo, which is quite cool.

Score: 6

5. Education

Simple, there isn’t a whole lot with the exception of some signs next to the enclosures.

Score: 4.5

6. Interaction

There is a camel ride, and next to that you can pet ostriches. The zookeepers doesn’t speak english very well, so that might be a problem if you have any question.

Score: 7

7. Total Score: 5.8

Friguia Park isn’t that special at all, but if you’d like to see a typical African zoo, it’s a good park to visit. It might be nice to have seen an African zoo once, and although it isn’t that bad, but you shouldn’t expect to much. This way, it can only be better then expected.

Gerben, 04/05/2014

Zoo Rating: Zooparc Overloon

Zooparc Overloon

Overloon, The Netherlands

 

 

About the zoo

Zooparc Overloon is the biggest of the three Zodiac Zoos in the Netherlands. With about 50 species, it isn’t a very big zoo in species, but with 21 acres it does have a lot space. It opened in 2000 and is one of the newest zoos in the Netherlands.

1. Species

Zooparc Overloon isn’t a typical zoo that houses your typical zoo animals, such as elephants and giraffes. They focus mainly on smaller species, but they do have some special ones. For example the Crab-eating Racoons, which are in the Netherlands only on-show in Overloon and its sister-park Dierenpark de Wissel. Next to that, they also house Pygmy hippos, Bamboo Lemurs, Crowned Lemurs and Goitered gazelles.

Score: 7.5

2.  Animal welfare

The animal care at Overloon is top-notch, with very few deaths and a lot of births of special species (i.e. Crab-eating Racoons and Pygmy hippos). The animals have a lot of space, so not much to worry about.

Score: 8.5

3. Construction

Overloon is quite woody and that gives an amazing atmosphere to the zoo. Like the other Zodiac zoos, it’s very different from other Dutch zoos. Everything looks neat, partly because it’s quite a new zoo. The next 4 years they plan to expand even more.

Score: 7.5

4. Accommodations

Because the zoo isn’t that big, they only have one restaurant and only one toilet facility (at said restaurant). The zoo is divided into two ‘trails’, which both end at the restaurant. They do have a picnic field and a playground for kids.

Score: 6.5

5. Education

Each day there are 6 feeding presentations where the zookeepers will tell you a lot about thespecies. Of course there are also the well known signs. Out of own experience I found out that the zookeepers will tell a lot from themselves too, when meeting them without having a presentation. At some enclosures, they have more, bigger signs and a special cart. For example at the cheetahs, where a special ‘Cheetah Cart’ is placed with an employee who answers all questions.

Score: 7.5

6. Interaction

Having three walkthrough enclosures at the zoo, the zoo definately have some interaction. They are also working on a flight show.

Score: 7

Total score: 7.4

If you’re a bit tired of the regular zoo animals, Zoo Parc Overloon is perfect for you. Even if not, it’s still a beautiful zoo and although it’s not that big, you’ll definitely enjoy yourself there for a day.

Gerben, 04/05/2014

Zoo Rating: Weltvogelpark Walsrode

Weltvogelpark Walsrode

Walsrode, Germany

 

About the zoo

Weltvogelpark Walsrode is a must see zoo for any bird-lover. Walsrode is one the biggest birdparks in the world with about  675 different species and more then 4000 birds. The zoo is 24 hectares big, and is one of the ten species-richest zoos in the whole world.

1. Species

While Walsrode only focusses on birds, the park does have some extremely special species, which are only visible at Walsrode. For example, the Blue Coua, Long-tailed Ground Roller and Sickle-billed Vanga. Next to that, they also have Shoebills, some types of Birds-of-paradise, Kagus and a large group of the critically endangered Siberian Crane.

Score: 9,5

2. Animal welfare

The fact that Walsrode is the only park that’s able to keep some special species, in which others have failed, only shows that the park’s care for its birds is of high quality. Next to that, they also get a lot of offspring each year, proving that the birds feel fine at the park.

Score: 9

3. Construction

With some huge walkthrough aviaries, Walsrode gives the opportunity to get close to the birds. With only a few typical bird cages, the enclosures aren’t boring at all. There a lot of flowers spread throuh the whole zoo, which really provice a great atmosphere.

Score: 8

4. Accommodations

Having four restaurants spread through the park, and some snack carts too, there is nothing to complain about regarding the accomodations in the Weltvogelpark Walsrode. With 320 benches (according to the zoo) there is always a place to sit down and rest.

Score: 8.5

5. Education

Every bird species in the park has it’s own sign, but that’s where it stops at Walsrode. The education isn’t bad, but it’s nothing special either. At the behind the scenes tour (€55) you’ll probably get more information, but said tour is quite  expensive.

Score: 6.5

6. Interaction

Walsrode Zoo has 2 shows (one indoor and one outdoor) and 5 feeding presentations each day. Add the several walkthrough aviaries to that, and you can conclude that there is enough interaction at the Weltvogelpark Walsrode.

Score: 8

7. Total Score: 8.3

For the bird-lover, Weltvogelpark Walsrode is definitly a must see. Even when you’re not that into birds, the zoo is still a great daytrip. If you’re into special species, the zoo should definately have a spot on your to-go list. You’ll easily enjoy yourself there for a day.

Gerben, 05/05/2014

Zoo Rating: Sealand Aquarium de Noirmoutier

Sealand Aquarium de Noirmoutier

Noirmoutier en l’Ile, France

 

About the zoo

Sealand Aquarium de Noirmoutier is an small aquarium at the coast of France. The 500,000 liter containg aquarium houses 1000 animals, and about 200 species. With just 200 meter of walkway it isn’t all too big.

1.  Species

The aquarium doesn’t have much special species. The most notable species must be the Californian sea lions, which are also appearing in a show. The aquarium does have a rich variety of fish and other marine creatures though, such as turtles and octopusses.

Score: 6.5

2. Animal welfare

Not much to say about. The enclosures are big enough, but other than that there isn’t much to say about the aquarium.

Score: 7

3. Construction

You’re basicly walking through a long pathway that’s got aquariums at the left and right site, with the exception of the Sealion enclosure. Nothing special.

Score: 6

4. Accommodations

There is a small place to get some stuff at the entrance of the aquarium, but other than that there isn’t any. Not needed either, within 1,5 hours you’ve seen the whole aquarium and with only 200 metres of pathway it’s unnecessary to have more facilities.

Score: 6.5

5. Education

With the exception of the general signs in front of each aquarium, there isn’t any education at the aquarium. Even at the Sealion show, where the most talking is about the show itself.

Score: 4.5

6. Interaction

You simply can’t expect much when thinking about interaction with fish. Though, at the show there are possibilities. Sadly, the aquarium doesn’t really involve visitors into the show.

Score: 4.5

Total Score: 5.8

Sealand Aquarium de Noirmoutier isn’t a place that you’ll visit very often. If not a real fish lover, you possibly will only be there once. It’s not bad, and you’ll enjoy yourself for the time you’re there, but after one hour you’ve seen the most and you’ll possibly only remember the sealion show.

Gerben, 05/05/2014