Zoological gardens are a strange place.
Zoo's are so typically human. Luckily we are overcoming the 18th century version, with the barred animals plucked out of the wild spending their days being gawped at.
But they are still an uneasy place, no-one likes to spend life in captivity. These days Zoo's are aware of the universal wildlife problems, which grow day by day. Some Zoo's focus on local species, keeping the change of environment to a minimum, some are investing in breeding programs, genepool banks and wildlife release programs(re-introduction), succes of the later isn't exactly to the degree it was intented.
So what can one do, when the town you live in decides to grant locals free entrance on their anniversary, go to the Zoo.
In this case Antwerp Zoo, one of the oldest in the world, in recent years it has brought most of the animals that need more space to a rural wildlife park, where the animals have more space to roam.
Some images from Antwerp Zoo in Belgium.
Still some para-military presence, IS-related.
Bronze statues, Josué Dupon, 1903 at the entrance.
The Egyptian temple is one of the oldest buildings in the Zoo, build in 1856, home to giraffes and elephants.
Hippotopia, he does have access to a larger pool.
Muskrats
My favorite, the aquariums.
Such a good thing we have outgrown the vision of our forebearers and i hope the debate about Zoo's will continue.
As i said, one visits the Zoo and comes out with a dubious feel.
never seen a muskrat...cool!
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I agree. Zoos do some good work about keeping the genetic diversity of some endangered species alive. And many are getting better about providing bigger, more interesting environments. But the captivity is still there. And often ,the education is just "Here, look at this animal. Neat, huh?" When an animal can't even run, or fly, or completely stretch out (like some snake cages), it is so depressing.