The Ostrava Pavilion of Evolution will be the most expensive building in the history of the zoo

Ostrava - The construction of the Pavilion of Evolution continues at the Ostrava Zoo. It is the largest and most expensive project in the history of the zoo, which will cost 122 million crowns and will become a new home for primates and other animals, said the zoo spokesperson Šárka Kalousková today to ČTK.
     The Pavilion of Evolution will be created through the comprehensive reconstruction of the original pavilion for water birds, which was closed to visitors several years ago due to poor condition. "The newly built pavilion will create an environment simulating the natural habitat of the animals. Just like with other newly constructed breeding facilities in the zoo, there is also a huge emphasis on the physiological, ecological, and ethological breeding conditions of the animals here," Kalousková stated.
     The spacious exhibition will include, for example, a group of chimpanzees that have been living in unsatisfactory conditions for several years. "Part of the project also includes the construction of a natural enclosure for the world-unique group of rare Diana monkeys that are already kept in Ostrava, as well as an enclosure for colorful Cameroon brush pigs," Kalousková said.
     Visitors will also see new species of animals, such as medium-sized guerezas, and several species of reptiles and fish in supplementary exhibits. A new refreshment area will also be created near the pavilion.
     "The spaces of the pavilion will be equipped with interactive elements and educational panels focused on the evolution of primates, including human evolution," the spokesperson added.
     Most of the costs will be covered by European grants. The construction should be completed in the second half of next year, and it will open to visitors in the spring of 2014.
     "I am aware that every construction affects our visitors in some way, although we try to minimize it. However, I believe that people understand the necessity of changes that simply cannot be managed outside of zoo opening hours. I also believe that everyone will appreciate that their zoo is continually improving," thinks the zoo director Petr Čolas.