FULL TITLE: Parc Zoològic de Barcelona
This wonderful zoo occupies a large L-shaped site in Barcelona's Parc de la Ciutadella. The range of species is impressive, and includes some truly unique creatures (see 'Snowflake' below). Couple this with a location in one of Europe's most beautiful cities, and Barcelona really does deserve to be at the top oif anyone's priority list. This report could not mention al the wonderful animals to be found here, so I'll have to leave you some surprises for when you visit!
MAJOR ANIMAL ATTRACTIONS:
SNOWFLAKE - On 1 November 1966, Barcelona took delivery of an animal that would ensure its place in the zoo history books. Snowflake (Copito de Nieve in Spanish/Floquet de Neu in Catalan) is an albino Western Lowland Gorilla, the only one ever known to have existed. He has entirely white fur, with pinkish skin, and is one of those things that has to be seen to be believed. He lives with three (black) females, and has his own webcam here . Nearby are enclosures for other primates, including a second family of gorillas, chimpanzees and the rare Père David's Macaque and Drill.
SMALL PRIMATES GALLERY - Here are to be found the smaller primates, with Talapoin, White Faced Saki and Patas Monkey among those on display. An unspectacular building, perhaps, but full of interest.
MADAGASCAR - A fantastic indoor display concentrating on the weird and wonderful wildlife of the African island. There are snakes, geckos, Panther Chameleons and the bright orange-red Tomato Frog, but, of course, it's the lemurs that steal the show. Black and White Ruffed, Black and Mayotte Lemurs are to be found here, in well landscaped enclosures that show them off brilliantly. The zoo also has Ring Tailed Lemurs in another part of the gardens.
TERRARIUM - This is home to the majority of Barcelona's reptiles, and it puts on an impressive show. While there are very large collections here of amphibians, snakes, lizards, toroises and turtles, it is the crocodilians that take pride of place. There are 12 forms on view, namely the American (Mississippi) and Chinese Alligators, the Broad Fronted, Yacare and Spectacled Caimans (the latter two being two distinct subspecies of the Common Caiman), the Nile, Cuban, Mugger, Siamese, Saltwater and West African Dwarf Crocodiles, and the False Gharial. For someone used to UK zoos' usually rather limited croc collections (only rarely more than one or two species), this is something of a revelation! It's worth spending some time in this building, and enjoying the crocs.
Yacare Caiman (Caiman crocodylus yacare)
DOÑANA AVIARY - This large aviary is home to wetland birds found in Spain's Doñana marshlands. There are Egrets, Night Herons, Spoonbills, Glossy Ibis, ducks and the magnificent Purple Swamphen.
TITI HOUSE - Home to the marmosets and tamarins, the Titi House consists of a long corridor with th monkeys' enclosures along one side. There are many tamarin species and some marmosets, but the Red Handed Tamarin is the only real surprise.
AVIARY - Despite its rather unimaginative name, this is the zoo's main bird house, and what a bird house. Rarities here include the Blue Crowned Hanging Parrot, the Keel Billed Toucan, the Nicobar Pigeon, hummingbirds, tanagers, the Bearded Barbet, the Black and Red Broadbill, the Common Golden Backed Woodpecker... the list goes on. Suffice it to say that it's a good idea to give this house a fair amount of time to see it properly.
AQUARAMA - On the whole, I would say that if you skipped the fish collection in Aquarama's basement, you wouldn't miss much. The collection is composed largely of very common species, and many that a trip to a good pet shop would show you. I would NOT, however, suggest that Aquarama is avoided. The upper floor is home to a small breeding group of Bottle Nosed Dolphins, and the large viewing windows onto the huge pool give one of the best views of the species I have ever enjoyed. There is also a Dolphin demonstration that takes place in an adjacent building.
CHILDREN'S ZOO - For the most part, this is a fairly standard collection of domestic animals, but there are some rarities to watch for. There are two reptile species on display here, the local Hermann's Tortoise and Jewelled Lizard. Also, make a point of seeing the large black Catalan Ass, one of my favourite domestic breeds.
OTHER ANIMAL ATTRACTIONS:
It is difficult to do the wide variety of mammal species at Barcelona justice without resorting to a long list of animals. All the favourites are here, Lions, Tigers, Pumas, Jaguars, both elephant species, Giraffes, both hippos, sealions, White Rhinos, Brown and American Black Bears, Zebras, both Bison, Red Kangaroos, camels, wolves, Wild boar....
There are, however, some groups that deserve special mention. The hoofed animal collection is exemplary, with Blesbok, Greater Kudu, Lowland Anoa, Black Faced Impala, Mouflon, Saharian Dorcas Gazelle, Barbary Sheep and Pyrenean Ibex among those on display.
There is a very large group of the delightful Coypu (or Nutria) from the New World and a brand new enclosure for European Otters. Other mammals include the Red Panda, the Giant Anteater and the African (Painted) Hunting Dog, to name but a few.
Coypu (Myocastor coypus)
There are good collections of parrots and birds of prey, two species of flamingo (Chilean and Caribbean), Ostriches and Emus. There is a wonderful pool for Humboldt's Penguins.
SPECIES TO WATCH FOR:
Where to start?
Giant Anteater
Bottle Nosed Dolphin
Pyrenean Ibex
Saharian Dorcas Gazelle
Greater Kudu
Blesbok
Albino Western Lowland Gorilla
Drill
Père David's Macaque
Red Handed Tamarin
Spanish Wolf
African Hunting Dog
Coypu
Red Kangaroo
Purple Swamphen
Panther Chameleon
Tomato Frog
For more bird and reptile species to watch for, see 'TERRARIUM' and 'AVIARY' above.
FACILITIES:
Zoo Barcelona has several small eateries around the zoo, with a large Cafe by the Terrarium. There are shops by the entrance, and a large children's play area.
There are daily performances by the Dolphins.
The Official Zoo Barcelona Website
© 2002 bpgilb10221@aol.com