Shall you be looking for a fun place to visit in the Czech Republic, head over to the Zlín Zoo, one of the most popular zoological gardens in the country. It is not only a home to many rare and endangered species, but also features enchanting flowing creeks and waterfalls and special walk-through exhibits and aviaries. The Zlín Zoo is divided into continets, each complemented by special monuments and artifacts from their countries of origin. Although, these are not the only surprises we hold for visitors: our zoological garden has its very own fairytale chateau! This altogether creates a truly unforgettable experience.
Here you can find some of our the most popular exhibits:
Have you ever pet a ray? No? Well, you do not have to make a trip to any of the sea aquariums, all you have to do is to pay a visit to The Bay of Rays, providing a truly remarkable experience to touch an Oman cownose ray. All you have to do is to wash your hands, take down your jewellery, muster your courage up and touch our birds of the deep sea. No worries, they do not bite! They are soft to the touch and very gentle. Also, you are provided by a chance of feeding them seafood purchased in a special ray kiosk in the corner. A ray flapping their sea wings around your hands is unparalleled and memorable.
Do you have a heart of an adventurer? Upon entering Yucatan, you will be transferred to the lush and dense rainforests of Americas, full of warmth, humidity and monuments, mementos of cultures long-gone. The locals may be a little bit mischievous, but don't fret! Our otters can barely keep quiet, entertaining not only the otter family itself but visitors as well, stealing all the attention. The other residents can get jealous of them, coming straight for your heart. The sloths are slow to do so, expectedly, but other primates can be much quicker. Shall you be a bird lover, you are free to observe the avis species soaring the hall from a suspension bridge leading you above the waterfall, around the hanging nests. Afraid of heights? No need to worry. In the ground floor, you can eye the reptiles and turtles, as well as the colorful poison dart frogs. To spice the things up a little bit, you and your children can inspect the infamous piranhas and their teeth in the aquariums located in the lowest floor.
Speaking of mischievous, beware of keas, hidden behind the luscious vistas of gorgeous ostrich fern. These attention-loving parrots will land on the net for sure, hypnotizing you by their eyes and soft songs, just like some flying mermaids. Do not fall into their trap, offering them your fingers or valuables! The kiwis next door, tho, are the real cuties. In the country of origin, New Zealand, they are strictly nocturnal. Our kiwis have adapted to their lives in the heart of the Europe and the best time to observe them is around 3 pm, although you are not going to miss them! If the kiwis are not wandering their habitat, you can watch them on the screen next to their exhibition, enjoying themselves in their nest. The Zlín Zoo is the only zoo in the country breeding these extraordinary vulnerable birds.
Karibuni
At the Zlín Zoo, our mission is to create and secure spacious and harmonious living spaces for animals. In Karibuni, our goal came true. In 2020, our African elephant cow Kali gave birth to Zyggari, the very first elephant calf born in the Czech Republic. To support our elephant restoration and welfare causes, we have projected a building of an enormous breeding facility, providing us the opportunity to accommodate more elephants to come. In 2023, we received Jack, an elephant bull, who transitioned into his new herd smoothy and quickly became a father-like figure to Zyggari. Come visit the herd in their paradise, where they merrily play tricks on each other!
In the Ethiopian region of the zoo, you can pay a visit to a spectacular Konso village. Konso people, also known as Xonsita, inhabitate south-western Ethiopia and speak their very own language. They often encounter wildlife you can find in this district of the zoo: formidable geladas, sturdy hyenas, bewitching kudus, noble marabou and yellow-billed storks. In the coffee kiosk in Ethiopia you can also observe the merry, playful meerkats, whilst enjoying african fruit cookies and other delicious treats.
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In the Asian district of the zoo, let yourself be enchanted by Mu-Shin, the largest Japanese garden in the entire country. Let the centuries-old pine trees carry you away, to the exotic Land of the Rising Sun. Kasuga stone lamps will guide you on your way silently, through the endless bushes of plantain lilies and other greenery, to the Tsukubai washbasin to state your intentions, cranes being your silent companions. In our garden of dreams there is a space for dreaming, too: touch one of our Buddhas statues and wait patiently, maybe your wish will come true. Another of the spiritual monuments to be found in the Japanese garden is the Torii gate, a symbol of crossing to the sacred world, leaving your worries behind. Literally. If your children feel more vigorous than you do, they can hop across the nearby creek. Shall that not be enough to please them, they can admire pelicans, silvery gibbons or search for red pandas in the tree canopies.
Walk-through exhibits
In the Zlín Zoo, we are attempting to bring the visitors to the animals as much as possible. Thus, you are free to enter some of our exhibits directly! Following the visitor route, experience cuteness of wallabies in their habitat, wandered by a curious emu as well, go through the picturesque exposition of colorful macaws and other South American bird species or spy on storks searching for fish in the riverbeds of magnificent Kerala up close.
The Zoo Zlín is one of the very few zoological gardens having a chateau. The one in our zoo seems to be cut out of a fairytale! It was built at the end of the 19th century, accommodating the freshest novelties of the age: dumbwaiters, underfloor heating, wall-mounted telephones, whirlpool tubs and flush toilets. The founder of the zoo, count Josef Karel Seilern, was an avid traveller and ornithologist, renowned for his philantropy. Being well aware of the luck and wealth his social status granted him, he founded not only the living zoological collection, but also a museum for commoners as well. The historical tour through 11 rooms of his home takes 45 minutes to walk.
Unless you are an advocate of self-prepared meals, backpacking some goods prepared in advance, you can enjoy yourself in one of four restaurants located in our zoo. You can treat yourself in the local chocolaterie, plethora of coffee stalls and kiosks with other refreshment.
