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.