Liberec Zoo is preparing a competition for the expansion of the garden

Liberec – The zoo in Liberec is preparing an architectural and landscaping competition for the expansion of the zoo by approximately 13 hectares. A Valley of Endangered Wilderness is to be created there, and the study should propose its connection with the current area of the zoo, as well as the potential phasing of the project. However, prospective applicants should also prepare a concept for the exhibition of Amur tigers and its integration into the landscape, the zoo's spokesperson Barbara Tesařová stated today in a press release.

Liberec Zoo is the oldest zoo in the country, celebrating 120 years since its establishment this year. On an area of 14 hectares, it currently houses more than 170 species of animals in its exhibits. However, breeding conditions are becoming stricter, and some of Liberec's enclosures no longer meet modern requirements for the care of wild animals in human care. In recent years, the zoo had to end the breeding of rhinoceroses, orangutans, and cheetahs, for instance, due to spatial reasons.

"We find ourselves at an imaginary crossroads. We can either go down the path of reducing the number of species we keep and give up on breeding space-demanding but visitor-attractive endangered species, or we can strive for the expansion of the existing area," added the zoo's director David Nejedlo. According to him, the zoo has thus far addressed the tightening of standards for the care of endangered species in human care by reducing the numbers of animals and merging enclosures. "But we cannot keep doing this indefinitely," Nejedlo added.

The zoo has been managed by the Liberec Region for two years, having taken over the facility from the city. One of the reasons was the necessary investments, which according to preliminary estimates will cost around half a billion crowns. "This concerns both the reconstruction of pavilions in the existing part of the zoo, the People's Gardens, and the Children's Corner, as well as the development areas. We are aware that the development areas and the existing zoo must form a well-functioning whole, which is why we are taking the path of a master plan study," said deputy governor Květa Vinklátová.

In the Valley of Endangered Wilderness, the zoo aims to transform the unused wooded valley behind Sovova Street, which also includes the former natural amphitheater. Its inhabitants should include tigers, bears, wolves, snow leopards, birds of prey, as well as cold-loving species of monkeys or ungulates. "I hope that the opportunity to participate in the development and future form of the zoo will be attractive to architects and that as many experienced and creative professionals as possible will apply to the competitive dialogue," Nejedlo added.