Top 10: Zoos
Number 4
Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, Jerusalem, Israel
In a region where political and military strife has escalated as of late, the Jerusalem Zoo is one of a few public attractions that has not suffered losses in attendance, and stills hosts roughly half a million visitors every year. The park continues to draw Jewish and Arab families alike, and provides a rare sight for the Middle East: signs that are transcribed in English, Arabic and Hebrew.
A good time to visit the Jerusalem Zoo is during the Passover holiday when, in keeping with Jewish tradition, all non-kosher food is removed from the facilities. Even the animals are placed on a rabbi-approved diet, making for a sight that you aren't likely to encounter elsewhere.
Number 3
Berlin Zoo, Berlin, Germany
With over 14,000 animals on exhibition, the Berlin Zoo is one of the world's largest. It covers an area of roughly 74 acres and hosts more than 3 million visitors every year, thanks in great part to its orientation opposite Germany's busiest railway station. If this isn't enough to impress you, take note that adjacent to the Zoo is the Berlin Aquarium, the world's largest with more than 250 tanks on display.
Quantity is one thing, but this place comes in a pretty nice package, too. The zoo was constructed in 1841 on land donated by King Friedrich Wilhelm IV, and its magnificent arch, adorned in elephant sculptures, is renowned throughout the architectural world.
Number 2
Bronx Zoo, New York City, U.S.A.
I'll usually try to avoid mentioning domestic sites in my features (seeing as the point is to travel), but you can't bring up international zoos without including the Bronx. With more than 6,000 animals on display, the Bronx is the largest metropolitan zoo in the country, and certainly one of the richest in terms of its history. It was opened to the public in November of 1899, and in 1903 it became the first zoo in the western hemisphere to house snow leopards (which have since been successfully bred here).
The Bronx is also the site of the world's first zoo education program and the world's first predator-prey exhibit, wherein lions and nyala are separated only by dry moats. It is the headquarters of the Wildlife Conservation Society and renowned throughout the globe for its dedication to wildlife preservation and education.
Number 1
Tiergarten Schönbrunn (Vienna Zoo), Vienna, Austria
Constructed at the turn of the 17th century, Tiergarten is the oldest zoo on earth, and if there is such thing as a swank zoo, this is it. The complex forms part of the grounds of the Schönbrunn Palace, which was used as a summer retreat for royalty during the Hapsburg Dynasty.
The beauty of this particular palace is said to rival that of Versailles, and it is thoroughly soaked in history -- some of its former guests include Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and Mozart, who had a musical competition with Antonio Salieri on these grounds at the request of Emperor Josef II.
But forget about the high society: one of the zoo's most famous inhabitants is Baby Abu, the elephant.
Resources:
www.belizezoo.org
www.jhbzoo.org.za
http://london-zoo.visit-london-england.com
www.bamz.org
www.alltravelgermany.com
www.zoovienna.at
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