Africa

Africa at Zlín Zoo – this is about animal houses of native hut design, extensive enclosures with typical ambassadors of mammals & birds of the African savannah, semi-desert areas and Ethiopian mountains with endemic gelada baboons, flamingos wading in the lagoon, or "little Madagascar" in the form of ring-tailed lemur displays located on islands.

Year of opening: 2023

Gora Ark enclosure (Vultures' Ark) became home for two dozen vultures and other species of African birds. The aviary that is 80 meters long is very unique - there is no such other aviary in the Czech Republic. In total six different vulture species live in this aviary - Rüppell's vultures, Griffon vultures, Himalayan vultures, white-headed vultures, Egyptian vultures and Hooded vultures. Apart from vultures, the visitors can admire secretary birds and representatives of smaller African birds such as red-winged starlings, black-casque hornbills or various species of turacos. The biggest benefit of the aviary is that thanks to its space, the vultures are able to fly. The whole enclosure is meant not only as an exhibit, but as a breeding facility for vultures and we hope that the heated nesting spaces will be suitable for vultures.

Another extraordinary experience is feeding of vultures that resembles real wild life feeding. The visitors sit down in a big amphitheatre, that is part of the aviary, and they can watch the feeding - a whole carcass of an animal is placed on an elevated hillock and the flock of vultures eat. This way you can watch their social behaviour, hierarchy in the group or fights among each other. 

The Gora Ark aviary is complemented by unique bronze statues from Nigeria. They were made by artists from Nigerian state Benin and they are very elaborated, so don't miss them!

When it comes to vultures, Zlín ZOO fulfils one of the most important functions of the modern zoo - breeding of endangered species and their releasing to the wild nature. This new enclosure should connect both of these missions. As one of few zoological gardens in Europe, we manage to breed Griffon vultures in natural way as in the case of other species. Together with the organisation Green Balkans we return vultures to wild nature. In total, 26 bred vultures have been set free in Bulgaria and Italy.

Opening of this enclosure represent finishing of second stage of educational and breeding centre for vulture. In the first stage, the enclosure for common rock hyrax and tortoises and the aviary for African birds.

Year of opening: 2020 - enclosure in Karibuni, 2022 - new breeding facility in Karibuni

Now you can admire whole herd of African elephants. Apart from females Kali (born in 1995), Zola (born in 1996) and Ulu (born in 1997) and the first African elephant calf, male called Zyqarri (born in 2021), you can watch elephant male called Jack (born in 1993). They inhabit spacious enclosure of 3 hectares that contains also a natural pond and shelters which are among the three biggest of its kind in the world. Elephants can also enjoy a smaller enclosure A close to new Elephant House.

New breeding facility is a part of the Karibuni project. Karibuni represents a ground-breaking vision of how the animals should be bred (not only) in the zoological gardens. Karibuni shall present fauna of Africa and its dominant should be the African elephants enclosure. Also there will be two camps with unique accommodation for 200 people and themed restaurant for 360 people.

6/6/2021

On Sunday, 6th June at 7:30 a. m. female Kali gave birth to a healthy elephant calf. This is the very first African elephant calf not only in the Zlín ZOO, but in the Czech Republic as well! The young male grows like a weed, he is very curious and he excitedly imitates adult cows. He also enjoys to swim in the pond in the company of his mother Kali and "aunt" Zola. 

9/5/2023

We obtained a new elephant male called Jack from Hungarian Sosto ZOO. He weights impressive 3.5 tonnes, his height is 3 m 30 cm. He is real giant in comparison with our females. According to zookeepers, Jack is very placid and calm and the union with females and calf was very peaceful.

Year of opening: 2022

In the African zone, on the meadow in front of the giraffe pavilion, a new exhibit was created, becoming home to some returning residents of our zoo: rock hyraxes, African spurred tortoises, and leopard tortoises. Sharing this exhibit are also yellow-necked spurfowl, Cape parrots, white-bellied go-away-bird, and trumpeter hornbills.

A new, larger aviary was prepared for the crowned eagles, and their original aviary has become the new home for the Abyssinian ground hornbills. The exhibit is pleasantly complemented by large rocks, bronze statues of a king and queen from Nigeria, and imaginative artistic elements.

With the opening of this new exhibit, the first phase of the educational and breeding center for vultures was completed. In the second phase, the Gora Ark was built—the longest vulture aviary in the Czech Republic—which was opened on August 6, 2023.

Year of opening: 1998

The African savannah exhibit is dominated by a large pavilion shaped like a traditional tribal hut. It is unique not only in its appearance but also in its concept. It serves as a shared home for the inhabitants of the grassy plains—Rothschild’s giraffes, greater kudus, savannah pigs, and common ostriches. In 2024, the pavilion was expanded to include terrariums, where visitors can admire a royal python, a giant plated lizard, leopard tortoises, and large African frogs known as African bullfrogs.

Animals can be observed from an unusual perspective here. An elevated walkway runs alongside both the outdoor enclosure and the pavilion, allowing you to look giraffes right in the eye. And for an even more immersive experience, visit the giraffe viewpoint called Twiga Snack. The giraffes will be almost within arm’s reach, and during selected times, you can even feed them. 

Year of opening: 2010 Ethiopia I, 2012 Ethiopia II

Ethiopia presents a different face of Africa. The entire area lies on a slope, and this varied terrain has allowed us to faithfully recreate Ethiopian ecosystems—the Omo River basin, the highlands of the Simien Mountains, and the wooded bushlands. In addition to animals, you’ll also see a large number of authentic ethnographic artifacts directly from Ethiopia, including a replica of a Konso village.

The largest exhibit in our Ethiopian section is dedicated to geladas. These feeding specialists require a spacious grassy enclosure, as they spend nearly all of their time grazing on blades of grass. Adjacent to the gelada habitat is the Omo aviary—the largest aviary with a steel mesh roof in any Czech zoo. It is home to African openbills, African hamerkops, and other bird species such as hornbills, cranes, and small waterfowl.

In the upper part of the Ethiopian area, the Senkele aviary features species like the lappet-faced vulture, the southern ground hornbill, and the white-necked raven.

In Ethiopia, you’ll also find popular meerkats, bongo antelopes, spotted hyenas, and Africa’s largest owls—the Verreaux’s eagle-owls. And just like in almost every African village, you can meet zebu cattle and Somali sheep here at the zoo.

Year of opening: 2006

A spacious and intriguingly structured enclosure near the lion exhibit showcases more African wildlife. Here you’ll find Nile lechwes, considered the most beautiful of all lechwe species, and a trio of southern white rhinoceroses: the male Kashka and the females Zanta and Naja. Of all five rhino species, this one is the most social.

We have already observed several mating attempts among the rhinos, although none have yet been successful. However, all the animals are still young, which gives us high hopes for a future first breeding success.