The Ostrava Zoo is expecting a significant year, opening several new buildings

Ostrava - The Ostrava Zoo is expecting a significant year this year. They will gradually open three new buildings that started to be constructed two years ago, said the zoo's spokesperson, Šárka Kalousková, to ČTK today. The investment amounting to over 213 million crowns was funded by subsidies from the European Union and the budget of the city of Ostrava. The zoo also modified one of the central ponds for more than ten million crowns.
    In addition to a new entrance to the zoo, visitors can look forward to the Pavilion of Evolution, which cost approximately 128 million crowns and is the most expensive building in the zoo's history, as well as a new drive-through Safari for Asian ungulates.
    The primate pavilion no longer meets the strict criteria for animal housing in modern zoos. "That is why we are gradually trying to relocate its inhabitants to newly built natural exhibits that are much larger and can also encourage natural animal behavior," explained Kalousková. Relocation to the new Pavilion of Evolution is planned for chimpanzees and Diana's monkeys. Colorful African bush pigs, Cameroon golden pigs, and several smaller animals will also find a new home there. "The new breeding facility was created by redeveloping the original pavilion of water birds, which had been inaccessible to visitors for several years. For example, the new aviary for chimpanzees is essentially the largest aviary of this type for apes in Central Europe. Visitors will also find completely different views of the animals here compared to the old facility," Kalousková explained.
    Right next to the Pavilion of Evolution is one of the newly redeveloped ponds. "Several new islands and nooks have been created here for visitors to rest. Some species of animals will also find a home here, including Vietnamese sika deer, white-cheeked gibbons, and lemurs on one of the islands, while the very rare Siberian cranes will be in one of the enclosures," said Kalousková.
    A completely new addition in Ostrava will be a safari that is being developed in the back part of the zoo. Visitors will travel through it on a train and will be able to observe herds of Asian ungulates in relatively spacious areas. "The area will not be accessible on foot, but it will be something new that our zoo has not offered so far. Visitors will ride directly through the enclosures, giving them the feeling of being right among the animals in nature," the spokesperson stated. The enclosures cover an area of approximately four hectares. The construction of the safari costs about 51 million crowns.
    A significant change for visitors will also be the new entrance area to the zoo, which has replaced the old provisional building from the 1970s that had been in use for years. Part of the building will be used as an office, while the other part will serve the visitors themselves. "In addition to modern and faster processing, visitors will find a large store with souvenirs and memorabilia waiting for them here," Kalousková noted. The construction cost about 34.5 million crowns.