In May there will be two new elephants coming to Prague Zoo from Rotterdam and it cannot be excluded that the herd of elephants will become even more numerous next year. The new pavilion includes such equipment as a large elephant sandpit, a swimming pool and a “scratcher”. The house is designed in such a way that it can be converted to a non-contact breeding facility with the possibility of breeding elephants which can be released into the wild.
For visitors
So far, visitors can only see the elephants in the outside part of the house. When the pavilion has been completely finished, they will also have the chance to explore the house itself, which is totally different from the present one. Visitors will be able to watch the elephants from a gallery with huge windows.
Chances of a baby elephant
Thanks to the new modern house, which is at the top of those found in European zoos, there are chances that Prague might see a baby elephant in the future. The pavilion complies with all the conditions required by the controlled breeding in zoos worldwide. Also the expansion of the herd might help. “Although we have been breeding elephants since 1933, there has never been a baby elephant born in Prague,” said Zbyněk Šíša, a longtime breeder of elephants.
Contributions from visitors
The whole area is to cost some 400 million CZK without VAT. “I must also thank both visitors and sponsors who contributed towards the 56 million raised,” said the Director of the Zoo, Miroslav Bobek. The area will house hippos and antelopes. There will also be a footbridge crossing the area. Another footbridge will connect the Elephant House with the African House.
