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Attica Zoological Park

Coordinates: 37°58′52″N 23°54′27″E / 37.981243°N 23.907377°E / 37.981243; 23.907377
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Attica Zoological Park
Attica Zoological Park
Map
37°58′52″N 23°54′27″E / 37.981243°N 23.907377°E / 37.981243; 23.907377
Date opened2000; 25 years ago (2000)
LocationAt Yalou,Spata,Attica,190 04, Greece
Land area20 ha (49 acres)[1]
No. of animals1500+[2]
No. of species220+[2]
MembershipsEAZA[3] and EAAM
Major exhibits
  • World of Reptiles
  • Arid Lands
  • African Savannah
  • Silent Forest
  • Ground Birds
  • Birds of Prey
  • Water World
OwnerJean-Jacques Lesueur
Location
Map
Websitewww.atticapark.gr
File:Attica-zoo-and-shopping-combo-full-day-tour-544802.jpg
The park's entrance.

Attica Zoological Park, is a 20-hectare (49-acre) private zoo located in the suburb of Spata,approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) east of Athens, Greece.The zoo is home to more than 1500 animals representing 220 species, and is open 365 days per year.[2]

A Grant’s zebra in the Attica Zoological Park.

Attica Zoological Park is a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA).And the European association of Aquatic mammals (EAAM).

History

It opened in May 2000, initially as a Bird Park, hosting the 3rd largest bird collection in the world (1.100 birds from 300 different species), farm animals for the younger visitors and 3 very impressive walk-in aviaries – miniatures of the 3 continents – in which visitors can walk and admire the relevant bird fauna and flora.[1]

World of reptiles was added in April 2001, followed by Greek fauna in 2002, the African Savannah exhibit in 2003, a cat exhibit and expansion of the African Savannah exhibit in 2004, a monkey exhibit in 2005, Land of the Cheetah, a chimpanzee and siamang gibbons exhibit, and a desert exhibit (with bactrian camels and Somali wild asses) in 2008.[1]

In 2010, the zoo opened a dolphinarium and added Southern white rhinos to its residents.[1]

Exhibits and attractions

World of Reptiles

World of Reptiles opened in April of 2001 and it was the first addition to the zoo after its opening. Among the species in the "World of Reptiles" are cane toad, Madagascar day gecko, green tree python, yellow anaconda, a Nile crocodile and the carpet python.

Greek Fauna

The Greek Fauna exhibit opened the following year in the summer of 2002 and includes species rarely seen in Greece.This exhibit features wild boars, Eurasian grey wolfs, Eurasian brown bears, fallow deers and the endangered Cretan wild goat also known as the Kri-Kri.

African Savannah

File:Attica-Zoological-Park.jpg
Giraffes in the zoo.

The African Savannah is an Africa-themed area that was opened in February of 2003 and it's the largest exhibit in the zoo. Animals on display in this area include the reticulated giraffe and Rothschild's giraffe , Grant’s zebra, Kafue lechwe and the South African ostrich. Sometimes Arabian oryxes and Scimitar oryxes can be viewed in this exhbit too. In 2021 a giraffe feeding station, was added in the African Savannah.

Silent Forest

Silent Forest was added in 2013. It features an Indonesian-themed aviary and a Komodo dragon exhibit. Birds in this area include the Bali myna, Victorian crowned pigeon, nicobar pigeon, Javan sparrow and white-shouldered starling.

Ground Birds

Ground Birds is a long row of cages home to a large variety of grownd bird species, particularly pheasants. Exhibited species include Palawan peacock pheasant, blue eared pheasant, Edwards’s pheasant, Himalayan monal, Elliot's pheasant, white-naped pheasant-pigeon, red cardinal, king quail and the Siamese fireback . Across from the exhibit is the zoo's animal hospital and the ZooCafe.

Birds of Prey

Birds of Prey is a row of cages for multiple raptor species. The exhibit is home to bald eagles, white-backed vultures, white headed vultures, Harri's hawks, king vultures, Griffon vultures, bateleurs, palm-nut vultures and Striated caracaras. Nearby is the zoo's farm and petting zoo where visitors can see and pet Cameroun sheeps, Nigerian dwarf goats, zebus, Shetland ponies, an endangered breed of pony, the Skyrian pony and more.

Water World

Water World consists of a big pond and an elavated kiosk that offers a view of the whole zoo. The pond is home to a variety of waterfowl and other aquatic birds both wild and captive. Captive residents include Egyptian geese, black swans, red breasted geese, Hawaiian geese, ashy headed geese, white storks and Canadian geese. A wide variety of wild bird species can also be found in the ponds, including European stonechats, rock doves and Eurasian magpies.

Some of the animals of the park.

Animals

The zoo's big cats include Angolan lions and Sumatran tigers, cougars, Persian leopards and as of 2020 a pair of clouded leopards . The zoo has several walk-through enclosures, including a "monkey's jungle".In December of 2015, two male Asian Elephants arrived at the park. In 2018 the zoo welcomed a cauldron of Rodrigues flying foxes.

List of animal species

Shows

In 2005, the zoo began to run daily shows featuring birds of prey. In 2010 the zoo began shows with its newly installed dolphinarium showing sea-lions and dolphins.

The park have 7 dolphins : Veera (F), Leevi (M), Eevertti (M), Lima (M), Nojus (M), Ekinox (M) and Naska (M).

The future

Future plans include a museum of evolution with its primary focus on dinosaurs, called Dinosauropolisan, and an aquarium an Aquarium of international stature. [1]

Criticism

In June 2010 the dolphinarium started working with shows by sea lions and dolphins. There were initially four dolphins bought from the Lithuanian Marine Institute, then seven more were added from the same source. The Greek Green Party took Attica Zoological Park to court claiming animal welfare issues in 2011. In April 2011, a Provisional Order was issued by the Athens Court temporarily prohibiting the operation of the dolphinarium.[4] BBC has sent a correspondent to cover the story[5] and the controversy has been presented in an article by author Lauren St John in The Sunday Times.[6] In August 2011, the Greek court issued a decision declaring itself not competent to pass judgement on the case. Although the zoo claimed that the case in question has been decided permanently and that the company has been vindicated, this decision only addresses the ability of this particular court to decide the issue.[7]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e "History of the Park". atticapark.com. Attica Zoological Park. Archived from the original on 9 April 2012. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
  2. ^ a b c "Zoo". atticapark.com. Attica Zoological Park. Archived from the original on 2010-11-19. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
  3. ^ "EAZA Member Zoos & Aquariums". eaza.net. EAZA. Retrieved 5 December 2010.
  4. ^ "Greek Green Party Announces Prohibition Of Dolphin Shows". wdcs.org. WDCS International. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  5. ^ "BBC - Greek dolphin park prompts animal welfare row". BBC. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  6. ^ Saint, John (20 March 2011). "Dolphins: Blood in the water". timesplus.co.uk. The Sunday Times. Retrieved 19 May 2012. (requires login)
  7. ^ "Our Fight to Save the Dolphins at Attica Zoological Park in Greece Continues". ecogreens-gr.org. Greek Green Party. 22 September 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
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