Guía de Praga

Barcelona ZOO

The 1892 offers a rich banker Lluís Martí Codolar his collection of exotic and domestic animals in Barcelona city. The former mayor of Barcelona, ​​Manuel serving as Tió, approves the acquisition and exhibition of animals in a public place in the Ciutadella Park, World's Fair 1888th Zoo Director is appointed by Francesc Darder, a renowned animal lover, naturalist and taxidermist.

Darder understood very well the conservation and restoration of nature, as it proved in the case of breeding and reintroduction of 45,000 specimens of fish in the rivers of Catalonia. The concept of the zoo's public urban space, whose mission is to protect wildlife and its main aim is to ensure the scientific nature of the institution's objectives in addition to providing entertainment and leisure.

It published the first catalog with prices of animals, because some of the surplus and some are auctioned off in order to maintain the zoo. It is divided into 3 parts - primates, aquatic animals and large quadrupeds. There were grown ducks and chickens, which were the main source of financing from the sale of eggs, feathers At the beginning of the 20th century the expansion of the zoo, the aquarium opened, and a monumental waterfall Ciutadella, then new Ichthyological Laboratory for fish farming. After the death of the First Barcelona Zoo elephant l'Avi, comes another elephant, Julia, a gift from the Viceroy Morocco Mule Hafid, who becomes his most famous icon. After the death of Francesc Dardera, who died of snake bites, his son is responsible for zoo management, along with Pere Jeroni Martire Rossell as a curator.

In the 80 years, gradually Zoo participates in the international network of organizations involved in conservation, such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature and International Union of Zoo Directors. In 1983, the zoo welcomed its Ulises killer whale tank, which after 11 years no longer suffice and the tank is transported to SeaWorld in San Diego. In 1984, after the departure of its director Antoni Jonch Cuspinera and ceases to be a part of town parks and gardens to the assets of private companies.

There is a flourishing Zoo with greater financial resources. In 1988 comes a new phase for zoos worldwide, is based World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), an association that emphasizes the principles and procedures concerning the treatment of animals. Barcelona Zoo participates in breeding program of wild animals in captivity for the red pandas, gorillas and rhinos. Applying Philosophy WAZA Zoo visitors for better observation of the animals by creating a farm where children can have direct contact with animals, aviary with native plants that inhabit the gallery of small primates, the pavilion cat, veterinary hospital and a larger water tank.