Hundreds of thousands of
tourists flock to the Zoo at Svatý Kopeček u Olomouce to see
more than 250 species of animals. Open runs, pavilions, aquariums,
terrariums, aviaries as well as resting places for visitors
and playgrounds for children are spread out over a four hundred-acre
area in leafy woods. The zoo is open to the public year-round,
although opening hours vary according to the season. The zoo
is easily accessible by public transportation or by automobile,
with a monitored car park located immediately at the entrance
to the complex.
One of the specialities of the Olomouc Zoo are its unique
night tours. They take place during the Christmas
holiday and can be a relaxing change after the Christmas rush.
In summer months you can tour the zoo on a mini-railroad.
Towering over the zoo is its 30 metre-high observation tower.
Your climb to the top will be rewarded by an excellent view
of the surrounding landscape and on clear days all the way
to the Jeseníky Mountains. At the bottom of that same tower
you can afterwards rest and gain new strength while sitting
at the terrace with refreshments and souvenirs. Other opportunities
for food, drink, rest and souvenir buying are located all
along the paths of the zoo.
Children can let off steam along the entire path of the zoological
gardens at the numerous climbing frames and attractions located
along the paths. Even the smallest can go to the petting zoo
and even buy food to feed the goats.
The Olomouc Zoo prides itself on a number of rarities which
you won’t want to miss.
For example the
dark and mysterious Bat Pavilion,
illuminated only by starlight and several small spotlights
which provides an environment for nocturnal animals. Some
of its residents, for example the Tawny Frogmouth bat, might
land right on your head!
Great adventure is waiting for you at the open air area of
the cute Japanese macaque monkeys. The path goes across a
rope bridge spanning a gap of ten metres in some places, and
the bridge slightly teeters when walking upon it...
If
you like to be scared, see the giant aquarium. This nine metre-long
tank is the home of two Blacktip Reef sharks and a Silvertip
shark. Together with them, in 42,000 litres of water, are
sixty tropical coral reef fishes. The colourful beauty of
these denizens of the deep can also be seen in a number of
smaller aquariums.
Another attraction in the Haná zoo is the newly-opened free
range area for big cats, whose breeding has a long tradition
here. Thanks to the footbridge crossing the range you can
take advantage of the attractive view on these elegant animals
from above.
We
could go on and on about the number of unique attractions
at the Olomouc Zoo – for instance two giant aviaries, the
Giraffe Pavilion, the Tropical Pavilion... It is a zoo famous
for breeding, including the Addax antelope, the Flare-Horned
markhor, the ibex, and the Rothschild giraffe. The zoo takes
an active part in saving a number of endangered species. You
can also find here a sanctuary for animals found in the nearby
landscape, for the zoo is also a rescue station for injured
and sick animals and orphaned or abandoned young animals.
Olomouc Zoological Garden
Svatý Kopeček
Darwinova 29
772 00 Olomouc
tel.: +420 585 151 602
http://zoo.olomouc.com
