Zurich Zoo: Construction Works on Pantanal Aviary Progress
The new habitat at the Zurich Zoo will provide a new home for South American bird and mammal species. // Image: Zurich Zoo
(eap) With its “Pantanal Wetlands” development, Zurich Zoo is creating a large new habitat for South American wildlife. The focus is on threatened bird and mammal species found in regions including Brazil’s Pantanal, one of the largest inland wetlands on Earth. These include the bright blue hyacinth macaws and yellow sun conures that have now moved into the first section of the future habitat.
The “Refugio” indoor area, which recently opened, has two separate sections – one for parrots and one for waterfowl. Pictured here: hyacinth macaws. // Photo: Zoo Zürich
The zoo has brought the indoor area, known as “Refugio”, into operation early so that the animals can begin to settle into their new surroundings. Visitors will eventually be able to look into the building through a glass pane, although they will not be able to enter it.
The Refugio provides two separate areas for waterbirds and parrots. Water features and a special ground substrate allow the animals to express their natural behaviors. The parrots have access to a large communal space filled with daylight. Additional sections allow up to six different parrot species to be kept in the Refugio.
Sun conures have also moved into the Refugio. // Photo: Zurich Zoo
Zurich Zoo has been working to protect this habitat in Brazil’s Pantanal for years. To conserve hyacinth macaws outside their natural habitat as well, the zoo successfully breeds the species at its Ornis Conservation Centre, which opened in 2022.
The exact opening date for the Pantanal Wetlands at Zurich Zoo remains uncertain. Delays to the steel construction work had recently disrupted the project schedule. ■
