Zoo Basel

Zoo Basel is a zoological garden in the city of Basel, Switzerland. Its official name is Zoologischer Garten Basel — or in English: Basel Zoological Garden. Basel residents affectionately call it Zolli. Its main entrance is just outside Basel's city centre and extends in the Birsig stream valley to Basel's city border with Binningen, Basel-Country. The zoo has over 500 animal species from all seven continents.

Zoo Basel is Switzerland's oldest (1874) and largest zoo by number of animals. In 2024 it got over 1.2 million visitors.

Zoo Basel was ranked as one of the fifteen best zoos in the world by Forbes Traveler in 2008 and in 2009 as the seventh best in Europe by Anthony Sheridan from the Zoological Society of London.

The zoo had the first Indian rhinoceros birth in a zoo, as well as the first greater flamingo hatch. It has had repeated breeding success with animals including cheetahs (18 births), okapi (22), pygmy hippopotamuses (53), and flamingos (over 400 hatches). Every Somali wild ass (a donkey) in zoos worldwide is related to the population in Basel, where this species' zoological breeding program was started. The zoo is currently engaged in more than 40 conservation breeding programs for endangered species.

Zoo Basel is undergoing the most expensive expansion in its history. These include the indoor and outdoor renovation of the monkeyhouse (2011–2012 / Fr. 30 millions), the zoo restaurant renovation/expansion (2015 / Fr. 16 millions) and a new elephant house and outdoor exhibit (2016 / Fr. 28 millions). In the near future, further expansions into the current parking lot and to the south are planned. Basel Zoo is implementing a master plan starting from late 2024. This initiative is called "Zolli 2049".

Exhibits and attractions

Zoo Basel is located in the city of Basel and serves as a special place for the local people, much like Central Park does for New York City residents. The zoo's exhibits are designed to encourage visitors to explore and observe animals closely.

The Africa exhibit houses hippos, ostriches, and Grant's zebras together in one outdoor area. This was the first exhibit at Zoo Basel to feature three species living together outdoors. The zoo has successfully bred ostriches here, with parents taking turns watching their eggs without any human help.

The Bird House, opened in 1927, is the second oldest building at the zoo. Today it is home only to birds, with a central "jungle" area where visitors can hear and sometimes see free-flying birds.

The Etosha theme area, opened in 2001, focuses on animals from Africa and the circle of life. It includes spaces for cheetahs, African wild dogs, ring-tailed lemurs, Cape porcupines, and lions.

Gamgoas is part of the Etosha area and features a lion and crocodile house. It includes colonies of termites, a chameleon, Nile crocodiles, and fish, along with special viewing areas.

The Sauter Garden, located at the zoo's south end, focuses on Asian animals. It is home to the Indian rhinoceros, snow leopards, and a group of about 60 macaques. The rhinoceros exhibit allows the rhinos, smaller deer, and otters to share space and resources together.

Special opening days

Zoo Basel sometimes has special nights when it stays open late. On June 24, known as Beck Day, the zoo stays open until 10 pm in honor of Johannes Beck, its first big supporter. After 4 pm, everyone can enter for free. There are fun events each year, like live music and special meals.

On other special nights called Zolli night, the zoo stays open until midnight. After 5 pm, tickets cost less. Zoo staff share fun facts about the animals every half hour. The exact dates change each year and are shared on the zoo’s website and local news. In 2010, Zolli night was on June 26, and the zoo stayed open until 11 pm.

Breeding programs

Main article: Breeding programs at Zoo Basel

Zoo Basel is part of many groups that help protect animals, including the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the European Endangered Species Programme. The zoo has helped breed many animals that are in danger of disappearing, such as pygmy hippopotamuses, Indian rhinoceroses, okapis, snow leopards, South African cheetahs, squirrel monkeys, and European otters.

The zoo has been very successful with its cheetah breeding. It has had many cheetah babies born over the years. Breeding cheetahs in zoos can be tricky because, in the wild, males and females live apart and females choose their partners carefully.

Zoo Basel also helps care for Indian rhinoceroses. The zoo has kept records to make sure these rhinos stay healthy in zoos around the world. The first Indian rhino born in the Western Hemisphere was born at Zoo Basel in 1956. Since then, many more have been born there.

The zoo has also had many okapi babies. The first okapi was born at Zoo Basel in 1957, and since then, 22 okapis have been born there.

Zoo Basel started breeding pygmy hippopotamuses in 1928, and 53 of them have been born there. These pygmy hippos and their families live in zoos all over the world. The zoo also keeps important records for this species.

The zoo also helps protect Somali wild asses, a type of wild donkey that is in danger of disappearing. Zoo Basel helps coordinate efforts to keep these animals safe in zoos around the world.

History

Zoo Basel began in 1870 when a group called the Ornithologiegesellschaft worked with the city of Basel to create a place where people could see animals from Switzerland and Europe. The zoo opened on July 3, 1874.

On its first day, visitors saw animals like bears, lynx, otters, and mountain goats. That year, over 62,000 people visited, even though Basel only had 50,000 residents. The zoo’s nickname, Zolli, started that same year and is still used today.

In 1884, the zoo grew by adding a new area called the Sautergarten. In 1890, the first lions arrived, and in 1891, the first lion cub was born in Basel. Over the years, the zoo added new homes for big cats and other animals.

The wars in the early 1900s made it hard for the zoo, but friends of the zoo helped support it. In 1949, the zoo celebrated its 75th birthday with new buildings. A new lion house opened in 1956, and a new elephant house came in 1959.

In 1966, the first African elephant, Ota, was born in Basel. New homes for monkeys opened in 1969, and an aquarium opened in 1972. In 1992, another elephant, Pambo, was born, and a new Africa exhibit opened where many animals lived together.

In recent years, Zoo Basel has focused on updating and expanding its exhibits. In 2001, work began on creating larger themed areas. In 2008 and 2010, the rhino exhibit was updated with new outdoor spaces and a renovated indoor area. In 2011, a new monkey rock opened, followed by an expanded monkey house. In 2012, much larger outdoor spaces for bats were created.

Future

Main article: Developments at Zoo Basel

Zoo Basel keeps improving its facilities but has little space to grow because it is in the middle of the city of Basel.

In 2014, the zoo updated and enlarged its restaurant. This included adding a big window overlooking the elephant area, more restrooms, and a small shop for food to go. The project cost 16 million Swiss francs, with half of that money given by a kind donor who wanted to stay unknown.

Plans for a new elephant house started in 2012 and were shared with the public in 2013. The new space for the elephants will be much bigger than the old one, built in 1953, and will also include areas for other animals like guinea fowl and storks. Work was set to start in 2013 and finish in 2016.

In 2009, the zoo announced plans for Switzerland’s first big ocean aquarium, called the Ozeanium. It would have been built near the city center and cost 70 million Swiss francs, mostly from private donors. Construction was planned to start in 2016 and open in 2019, but in May 2019, people voted against the project, so it did not happen.

List of animals

Zoo Basel is home to many interesting animals from all around the world. Here are some of the animals you can see there:

Mammals

You can see big animals like the African elephant and the Lion, as well as smaller, unique animals such as the Black-and-white ruffed lemur and the Pygmy hippopotamus. There are also special breeds like the Miniature donkey and the Guinea pig.

Birds

The zoo has many colorful birds, including the Gentoo penguin, the European white stork, and the Ostrich. You might also spot the King penguin or the Hawaiian goose.

Reptiles and amphibians

Zoo Basel has fascinating reptiles such as the Alligator snapping turtle, the Burmese python, and the Gila monster. You can also see the Nile crocodile and the Horned viper.

Fish

There are many interesting fish to see, like the Clown anemonefish, the Neon tetra, and the Zebra moray. You might also find the Yellow tang and the Emperor angelfish swimming around.

Invertebrates

Some of the smaller creatures include the Common octopus, the Giant prickly stick insect, and the Western honey bee. You can also see the Black widow spider and the Moon jellyfish.

Notable residents – past and current

Miss Kumbuk (? – 1917)

Miss Kumbuk was Zoo Basel's first elephant. She was an Asian elephant and arrived in 1891. The zoo built its first elephant house for her.

Rudra (1956–1987)

Rudra was the first Indian rhinoceros born in a zoo, in 1956. He was the son of a rhino bull named Gadadhar and a female named Joymothi from Kaziranga National Park. Two hours after he was born, he weighed 60.5 kg and was 105 cm long. He grew quickly, gaining 1.5 kilograms each day. In 1959, Rudra was sent to the Milwaukee County Zoo, where he became a father once before he passed away.

Goma (1959 – )

Goma was the first gorilla born in Europe (western lowland gorilla), and the second worldwide in a zoo. Zoo staff raised her. On May 2, 1972, she and Jambo had the world's first second-generation zoo baby named Tamtam. She is the oldest gorilla in Basel's group and had a big celebration for her 50th birthday on September 23, 2009.

Jambo (1961–1992)

Main article: Jambo

Jambo was a western lowland gorilla born at Basel Zoo. He became famous at the Jersey Zoo when, on August 31, 1986, he helped a 5-year-old boy who fell into the gorilla area. A video of this event became very popular. After Jambo passed away in 1992, a bronze statue was made in his memory, and a video documentary called Jambo — the Gentle Giant was made. He was named by the zoo's director, Ernst H. Lang, and "Jambo" means "Hello" or "How are you?" in Swahili. Because of Jambo, many apes around the world are called "Jambo," similar to Lassie the collie dog or Nemo the clownfish.

Pambo (1992 – )

Pambo was a young male African elephant who was very popular with visitors. He was first sent to the Vienna Zoo, where he fathered an elephant named Mongu. On October 26, 2009, he was sent to Cabarceno Natural Park in Spain. Later, on November 28, 2012, he was moved to Bioparc Valencia, where he passed away on January 23, 2013.

Ruaha (1951 – 29.07.2010 )

Ruaha was the oldest known African elephant at the time and the leader of Basel's elephant group. She came to Basel on November 1, 1952. Ruaha was one of the five original African elephants that came to the new elephant house at the zoo. Like older humans, she showed signs of her 59 years and did not lie down to sleep for the last 20 years of her life. Her death was unexpected because she had no health problems in the days before. Ruaha was found in the outdoor area early one morning on July 29, 2010, by her zookeeper.

Farasi (2008 – )

Farasi is a male hippopotamus who became famous when news reported that the zoo planned to let lions eat him. The zoo quickly said this was not true, but the story spread around the world. Farasi was sent to Tshukudu Private Game Reserve in South Africa on November 17, 2010. Although he was safe there, he was later attacked by a lion after escaping from a protected area. He was hurt but recovered after a veterinarian gave him medicine. He was expected to be big enough to protect himself by 2012 and would then be allowed to live in the wild.

In the media

Zoo Basel has been recognized as one of the best zoos in the world. In 2008, Forbes Travel listed it among the top fifteen zoos, and in 2009, a study by Anthony Sheridan from the Zoological Society of London ranked it as the seventh best zoo in Europe. The local newspaper, Basler Zeitung, regularly reports on the zoo and has a special section called Dossier: Der Basler Zolli just for it. Each year, Zoo Basel hosts a special event called the Zolli Apero for media members. Other travel websites, like Rates to Go and Vacation Homes, have also placed Zoo Basel among the top zoos worldwide.