Construction Start of the Pantanal Aviary at Zurich Zoo in May

(eap) There is great joy at Zurich Zoo as it has recently been confirmed that the Pantanal aviary, the next major project in the 2050 development plan (we reported on this in EAP 1/2022), will be built from May this year. The permit was granted on 20 July 2022, but the subsequent appeal was rejected by the Building Appeal Court. The appellants have decided not to appeal to the Federal Supreme Court, meaning that nothing now stands in the way of the realisation of the planned new habitat at Zurich Zoo.

The ground-breaking ceremony will take place in May this year and the Pantanal aviary is scheduled to open in spring 2028. Endangered monkey and bird species such as golden lion-headed monkeys and hyacinth macaws will live in an area of around 11,000 square metres, which will be modelled on the South American wetland. They will be able to make free use of the up to 35 metre high air space. With this facility, the zoo wants to do push forward developments in accordance with the understanding of modern animal husbandry in scientifically managed zoos: The complex reproduction of a habitat with various associated animal species is intended to create challenges that are as close to natural life as possible for the inhabiting species. ■