„In the spacious auditorium of the Dja Reserve, visitors not only hide from the cold but can primarily watch the games of the female gorillas Mobi and Gaiy in comfort. In my opinion, it is the most attractive view,” says the director of Prague Zoo, Miroslav Bobek.
The Dja Reserve pavilion offers a pleasant 23 °C. First, visitors pass through a Cameroonian village and a typical school classroom. Subsequently, they embark on a journey through the rainforest with live greenery, which is home to talapoins, guenons, potto, and especially lowland gorillas. At the top of the tiered auditorium, visitors will find two interactive screens that allow them to recognize individual members of the gorilla troop.
A unique view of zebras, giraffes, or Cape aardvarks. This is what the African House offers along with 21 °C. Although the northern Nubian giraffes are surprisingly very hardy, they cannot spend the entire winter outside. Visitors can therefore observe these tallest animals in the world from comfortable benches in the warmth of the pavilion. They can look forward to the giraffe calf Johanka, born in July last year. Grevy's zebras are happy to interact close to the glass with visitors.
An expedition underwater with Tchéch and Maruška. The amphibious hippos spend the winter in the indoor pool of the Hippo Pavilion at 20 °C, which allows for an attractive view below the surface from the comfort of a bench. One can notice that these up to three-ton ungulates do not actually swim actively but gracefully bounce off the bottom.
The atmosphere of the tropics, diverse environments, and 24 °C. In the gigantic greenhouse of the Indonesian jungle, visitors are captivated by impressive Komodo dragons, pig-tailed macaques, or the newly bred species of frogs, the black-spotted flying frog. People can also learn more
about the scaly mammals – the short-tailed pangolins. In the nocturnal Indonesian jungle, one can observe, for example, the female Shishi, the first pangolin raised in Europe, or her younger sister Connie, born last summer. After ascending to the upper floor of the pavilion, visitors will have a view of two families of Sumatran orangutans with their young. While the four-year-old "Kawi" is often spotted playing in the branches, little Harapan is just trying his first steps.
A walk in the Africa pavilion up close also provides warmth. The interior imitates an abandoned African village, which nature is gradually reclaiming. Visitors can observe various species of invertebrates, rodents, hyraxes, or even the honey badger, a creature unafraid to confront the king of beasts. The Rákos Pavilion, featuring eight unique exhibits, six of which are heated indoor displays, is also worth a visit. Rare birds inhabit it, such as hyacinth macaws, eagle owls, or palm cockatoos. Benches inviting to rest are also provided in the Pavilion of Carnivores and Reptiles.
Even in the colder months, visitors should not overlook the outdoor enclosures and aviaries. In winter, some species of animals are even more active. For example, red pandas with densely furred feet are among the hardiest inhabitants of Prague Zoo. The camels in the Plains grow winter coats, and even the bison gain fluffiness.
In total, Prague Zoo offers fifteen indoor pavilions where people can hide from unfavorable weather. During winter, visitors can also avoid summer crowds. It is also worth using the Prague Zoo app, where tickets can be purchased more advantageously than at the ticket office.
