I'm talking about the Antwerp Zoo. This animal park, which was officially inaugurated on July 21, 1843, is one of the oldest zoos in the the world and the oldest in Belgium. It's located smack in th middle of the city of Antwerp. In 2007 it was declared the most beautiful and well-presevered 19th century city zoo in the world. It owes this award to the quality of the landscaping of the park and the historic architecture.
The statue on top of one of pillars by the entrance gate of the zoo.
The seagull is just a temporary resident!
The seagull is just a temporary resident!
Today the zoo hosts more than 5,000 animals, representing almost 770 species. Every year approximately 1 million people visit the zoo, with a record number of 1,5 million in 2009 when baby elephant Kai Mook was born. Kai Mook is an Asian Elephant and the first ever to be born in a Belgian zoo.
The invitation to the field trip read that we were expected at the zoo between 9.30 and 10 a.m. for breakfast. After which our department manager would inform us on our company's production results and objectives. Next there would be lunch and in the afternoon specialized guides would take us on a guided tour of the zoo ... backstage! I found the idea of seeing how the zoo is run behind the screens quite intriguing ...
I know that a lot of people don't like zoos, because they feel that animals shouldn't be locked up and put on display. How do you feel about it?
6 comments:
In general I don't like the 'idea' of zoos -- seeing beautiful wild animals caged can be very sad to see. There are, however, some exceptional zoos -- like the Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Washington State, which is very large and for the most part has animals which are in their natural habitat. Visitors go on special train/buses and you see up close the American buffalo, Elk, Bears, wolves. There are also snakes and birds and some animals from further afield -- a beautiful pair of tigers, for example. It is also true that some species have been saved from extinction because of zoos. So my answer would have to be the cop-out "it depends"!
It sounds like a good time. I just googled their website and it's put together well. I was just hoping for more photos of the place.
I've seen good zoos and bad ones. I think the trend is to give animals more of a life within them. So I'm happy!
m.
Like Mark says, there are good zoos and bad zoos. When I was a little girl I loved zoos but I now know that they were mostly bad. I think we are more considerate of the way animals are kept these days, in some parts of the world, anyway.
One of the saddest things I ever saw was a lone white tiger pacing up and down in his compound in a Las Vegas hotel, while tourists peered at him from behind a glass wall and took photos. He looked so sad and it seemed to be wrong to keep such a magnificent animal just for display.
First, I was the same age as you were when I first visited the Antwerp Zoo — and it was my last time. So, you see, it was a few months ago!
I'm afraid I have no recollection per se of the Zoo, but I vividly remember seeing an enormous Victoria Regia nymphea at the Botanical Garden.
Second, I am one of those people who think animals should be protected in their original habitat and not imprisoned only for the pleasure of one of their fellow animals. I definitely think that the species that shouldn't protected is the human race. Seven American-billion individuals in the largest zoo ever!
I agree with the nice people above, but I guess I'm more radical in my thinking.
Right on, CHM!
TB, The Antwerp Zoo has a 'sub-zoo' in Plankendael,halfway between Brussels and Antwerp, with very intensive breeding programs for endangered species. From what I hear they are quite succesful and share their knowledge with zoos abroad.
Mark, Until a decade ago there were some very bad zoos in Belgium. All privately owned. The're closed now and the animals that did survive the ordeal are now living in much better conditions in different zoos in Europe.
Jean, The Antwerp Zoo has two tigers. They live in an open compound surrounded by a moat. They are only locked up in cages during the night or when the water in the moat of frozen ... to stop them from escaping - tigers don't swim but don't mind walking over slippery ice :)
Chm, You wouldn't recognize the Antwerp Zoo, because it has undergone quite a lot of changes over the last few months - since you where there last (lol)!
Sheila, I agree!
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