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ZOO
Chleby .o.p.s.
thanks for very
important support
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HISTORY AND TOPICALITY OF ZOO CHLEBY
To have own ZOO. It was a
common boyish dream, which was before of the inception of the
zoological garden. But in the time of socialism not everybody
can study what want. So that enthusiastic naturalist Rene Franek
becomes a building engineer. He enrolls (in-career) for special
science education of Charles University, because of approach of
his great boyish dream to reality.
Already at the time he bred so many animals. Number of
animals and its species quickly surpassed conditions of
amateurish breeder. Exotic birds (Red-tailed Amazons, Hyacinth
Macaws, Great Hornbills, Red-breasted Toucans etc.) attract the
attention of public. People began to visit the family's garden in Uvaly (near
Prague), so the small area was not suited for this situation
very soon.
Looking for new more suitable place began. A place far of
Prague, where can be founded a full-value small ZOO.
In 1992, new place was chosen. It is a former parsonage in
village called Chleby (near Nymburk). The parsonage was uninhabited and
unused for years, so that it was broken and ravaged. The garden
was overgrown with bushes. Everything was setting in order by own sources
only and with aid of friends. It was hard strenuous toil.
Creation of own ZOO can begin.
In 1997 "Non-Profit Corporation ZOO Chleby" was founded.
Visitors can saw collection of pheasants (e.g.
Crested Fireback
Pheasant, Great Argus, Tragopans), birds of prey, Rhinoceros
Hornbills etc. Since the outset the fauna collection is eking
with numerous exotic plants.
In first years everything accrues mainly because of enthusiasm,
diligence and self-denial of ZOO director ing. Franek. By own
financial resources and own work only. Material for building of
expositions was often purchased in scrap yard, from cheap
residues of buildings or it was donated by somebody.
ZOO was quickly popular for visitors of large surroundings.
10000 people visited the ZOO per year.
Year 2004 is the first turning point. ZOO Chleby is accepted as a
full member of EARAZA (Eurasian regional association of
zoological gardens and aquariums). After painstaking preparing
it receives also license of Ministry of the Environment. So ZOO
Chleby becomes the first official ZOO after revolution in Czech Republic and also
the first officially acknowledged non state zoological garden. From this year everything begins to be much professional
with better focus on the visitors and their comfort. First
sponsors come, brigade-work and aid from firms (both free of
charge) are more frequent. Many volunteers from all over the
World (from many European countries, USA, but also from Japan)
are coming within „Work Camp“ to zoological garden. The ZOO is
publicized in press and TV more often. Number of animals and
also visitors go up. More than 15000 visitors come every year.
Next turning point occurs soon – in years 2006 and 2007.
Petting ZOO (with sheep, goats, lamas, buffalo…) is starting up.
For visitors it opens a new ticket-office and a shop with
souvenirs, snacks and drinks. Picnic garden and also
paths is expanded and up rated.
On account of the public interests, a predetermination to
make a simple
primates temporary building was reviewed and much generously was conceived.
So that it was opened for 10th anniversary (2007) an unique monkey house, which was
patterned according to the world-famous Cambodian temple Angkor Wat..
„Bohemian Cambodia“ and also Yellow-checked Gibbons become a
popular and sought-after attraction. Number of visitors goes up
for only one year from 15 to more than 35 thousands!
ZOO Chleby lies on area of only 0.8 hectare (1.98 acre).
So it does not have an aims to have hundreds animal species or
some big animals. Its ambitions are not like of the large
gigantic zoological gardens. It is trying to go by its way. It provides an experience for visitors - as
much as possible, enables contiguity with animals for children and also adult, educate them
by info tables and scientific lectures. ZOO Chleby
would like see the visitors are spending there an unforgettable
whiles full of ease. Its aim is narrower access and friendlier
feeling, than in the greater ZOO. Numerous gentle animals are
very good for it too. Children can touch and stroke not only domestic animals,
but also antelope, porcupine or they can take a photo with
macaw, which speaks.
In the zoological garden, there is about 50 animal species
from every continent (except Antarctica). There are
many favorite animals - Ruffed Lemur, Ocelot or
Red Kangaroo,
but absolutely the most popular are Yellow-checked Gibbons. ZOO
Chleby is member of EARAZA (Eurasian Regional Association of
Zoological Gardens and Aquariums) and WPA (The World Pheasant
Association). It get over a lot of success of worldwide
importance – e.g. chicks of Rhinoceros Hornbill (repeatedly) or
first reproduction of Caucasian Black Grouse in the world.
Zoological part is couplet with important botanical collection.
There are many exotic trees and bushes. Visitors like especially
10 species of bamboo.
Other important activity of ZOO Chleby is endeavoring to give
redress to handicapped people. They have free entrance and ZOO
does special lectures for them. In ZOO Chleby, there are
employed especially handicapped people. They can not to find
self exercise usually. Many of them
find a new sense of life.
We will be very glad, if also you visit our „OASIS OF EASE“. We
welcome you here.
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TRANSLATION OF CZECH MENU:
all sites are in Czech language, but most of them are full of
drawings and photos, so that here is translation of basic menu -
other links are very intuitive
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NOTICE:
every
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Copyright act. Copy and usage of this thing on other sites or
for business are strictly prohibited. The pictures can be used
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