Harapan, born last May, lives on one of the islands in the Indonesian jungle with his mother Diri and father Pagy. Photo Oliver Le Que, Prague Zoo
Prague Zoo invites visitors to heated pavilions. When observing animals, they can expect pleasant temperatures of more than twenty degrees Celsius and comfortable benches in the immediate vicinity of interesting species. For example, people can watch Mobi and Gaia, small female gorillas from the Dja Reservation pavilion, from a generous auditorium that offers, in addition to rest, the opportunity to charge their phones.
“In the spacious Dja Reservation auditorium, visitors not only hide from the cold but above all, they can watch the games of female gorillas Mobi and Gaia in comfort. In my opinion, it is the most attractive spectacle,” says Prague Zoo Director Miroslav Bobek.
Giraffes are usually closer to home during the winter months than in the summer – and people can also see last year’s born Johanka. Photo Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
The Dja Reservation pavilion offers a friendly 23 °C. First, visitors will walk through a Cameroonian village and a typical school classroom. They will then set off on a journey through a lush forest, home to talapoins, vervet monkeys, brush-tailed macaques, and, in particular, lowland gorillas. At the top of the tiered auditorium, visitors will find two interactive screens that allow them to identify individual members of the gorilla troop.
A unique view of zebras, giraffes, and Cape hartebeests. This is offered by the Africa House, along with 21 °C. Although North Nubian giraffes are surprisingly hardy, they cannot spend the entire winter outside. Thanks to this, visitors can watch these tallest animals in the world from comfortable benches in the warmth of the pavilion. They can look forward to, for example, the giraffe cub Johanka, born in July of last year. Grévy’s zebras like to interact with people near the glass.
An underwater expedition to see Tchéc and Maruška. Hippopotamus spend the winter in the indoor pool in the Hippo Pavilion with 20 °C, which allows an attractive view of the underwater world from the comfort of a bench. It can be seen that these even-toed ungulates weighing up to three tons do not actually swim actively, but gracefully reflect off the bottom.
Visitors can often catch Mobi and Gaia playing. Photo Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
Tropical atmosphere, diverse environments and 24 °C. In the gigantic Indonesian Jungle greenhouse, visitors will be captivated by impressive Komodo dragons, pig-tailed macaques or the newly bred species of black-bellied flying frogs. People can also learn more about scaly mammals – short-tailed pangolins. In the Indonesian Jungle nocturne, you can observe, for example, the female Šiška, the first pangolin bred in Europe, or her younger sister Connie, born last summer. After climbing to the upper floor of the pavilion, visitors will have a view of two families of Sumatran orangutans with their cubs. While four-year-old “Kawi” is often spotted frolicking in the branches, little Harapan is just taking his first steps.
A walk in the Africa Up Close Pavilion will also warm you up. The interior imitates an abandoned African village, to which nature is gradually returning. Visitors can observe various types of invertebrates, rodents, hyenas or even a honeyeater, a beast that does not hesitate to stand up to even the king of beasts. The Reed Pavilion is also worth a visit, presenting eight unique exhibits, six of which are heated indoors. They are inhabited by rare parrots such as hyacinth macaws, eagle-headed trichi or palm cockatoos. The Pavilion of Predators and Reptiles also provides benches inviting you to rest.
The male Tchéc was named in his native French zoo by the breeders in honor of the Czech national holiday – he was born on October 28. Photo Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
Even in the colder months, visitors should not neglect the outdoor enclosures and aviaries. Some animal species are even more active in winter. For example, red pandas with thickly furred feet are among the hardiest inhabitants of Prague Zoo. Camels in Plány are growing winter fur, and even bison are getting shaggier.
In total, Prague Zoo offers fifteen indoor pavilions where people can hide from the bad weather. During the winter, visitors can also avoid the summer crowds. It is also worth using the Prague Zoo app, where you can buy tickets more conveniently than at the box office.