DATE OF VISIT
April 2019 and May 2024
WHERE DID I STAY?
Not applicable
COMMENTS
The Prague Zoological Garden or Prague Zoo, (www.zoopraha.cz), is a zoo in Prague and located reasonably close to the city centre. Despite this, the zoo covers an area of 58 hectares or 140 acres, and is beautifully landscaped. There are approximately 5,500 - 6,000 animals with more than 700 different species.
The zoo is located in the Troja area in northern Prague.
In the early 2000's, the zoo was rated as the seventh best zoo in the world and the fifth best in the world by TripAdvisor. I have been visiting the zoo for several years and can fully endorse its global position. Not only is the zoo beautifully landscaped but it is designed in such a way as to have virtually uninterrupted views of the animals and for me is a very similar design to the zoo in Singapore.
There is ample seating, toilets and "refreshment centres" located throughout the zoo and one can walk virtually uninterrupted for 8-9 kilometres. Please be warned that for those who may find walking a challenge, the walk does include some quiet steep inclines but there is a small train that travels around the zoo and in addition you can travel from the lower levels of the zoo to the upper levels via a chairlift, but please be advised that this operates as a single chair, chairlift and NOT a "cabin" type of design.
It may seem rather unusual to recommend a visit to the zoo in a city like Prague where there is so much else to see. However, if you like walking and want to "exit" the hustle and the bustle of the city, then a visit to this zoo is a "must" as not only do you see a range of animals in a wonderful environment, but you are able to enjoy some very nice views across Prague.
The one "downside" for the zoo is access. By far the easiest way to travel to the zoo is by car. There is a lot of convenient car parking at a cost of Kč300 for the day. The ticket price for my visit in May 2024 was also Kč300. Travelling by tram involves a fairly long walk through Troja to reach the zoo and so if you do not feel like driving or do not have access to a car, I recommend a car service via your hotel or a Prague Zoo taxi (https://www.prague-airport-transport.co.uk/en/taxi-from-prague-to-zoo). Please request a fare quotation in advance but at the time of writing, a one-way fare from central Prague to the Zoo, (as quoted on the website) is priced at Kč390/€15.65.
HISTORY SUMMARY
The idea of a zoological garden in Prague was first proposed in 1881 by Count Sweerts-Spok on the occasion of the marriage of Crown Prince Rudolph of Austria and Princess Stéphanie of Belgium.
The zoo was finally opened to the public on the 28th September 1931 by the founding director of the zoo Mr. Jiří Janda. The stated purpose of the zoo was: "to advance the study of zoology, protect wildlife and educate the public." And even today, the zoo holds true to those ideals.
In 1938 the first artificially bred Andean Condor in the world was hatched and reared, and this was followed in 1942 by the first artificially bred polar bear.
In 1971, a new pavilion opened for large mammals, including elephants, hippos and rhinos and this was followed in 1991 by a large cat pavilion.
In 2001, the first artificial breeding of a Przewalski's Horse, in the world, took place at the zoo.
Prague Zoo has also established itself as the leading breeder of Komodo Dragons.
In 2012, the zoo saw its highest number of babies being born, a total of 1,557 from 211 species.
Finally in 2023, the zoo saw the first birth of a Chinese Pangolin in captivity. The pangolin was born in February and weighed 135 grammes. This birth may lead to the rescuing of a creature from its current status on the endangered species list.
All-in-all, I really do recommend Prague Zoo as an attraction for all ages and something that if you have the time, (you certainly need to devote 3-4 hours for a visit), is well worth it.
PLACES TO EAT
There are numerous places to eat and drink throughout the zoo together with bathroom facilities. I particularly recommend the restaurant with indoor/outdoor seating situated between the elephant enclosure and the walk down the hill to the lower levels of the zoo.
LINKS
- https://www.zoopraha.cz/
- https://www.prague-airport-transport.co.uk/en/taxi-from-prague-to-zoo
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