A trip to the Zagreb Zoo

So for our anniversary we decided to check out the zoo.

Zoo selfies with Bison, Lioness (asleep behind the log), and camels

I think he smelt us or maybe the zebras?

Up close - You can see the lions, and they can see you! In their cave through glass,
observing them from outside, you can look down on or across the water, at eye level - kinda close!
New housing for African lions - Lion's rock Kidepo,
 Lionesses Ayana and Nyota and Leo the Lion
the one sleeping behind the log, woke up and she was fantastic to watch.

Things behind glass: reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates.
Some were very strange. The 1st turtle is motionless, just waiting for something to swim into it's mouth, I thought he was fake or dead, but his "tongue" moves. The 2nd one is a soft shelled turtle, and the 3rd is some kind of strange croc! Lots of neat frogs, took me a while to find the one center-right...I took a lot of pictures, but most look better in person.

The landscape was fantastic! 

One thing that would really help, a brochure in English with a map! Now that would be very beneficial! (but no one asked me my opinion and there is no comment box:-) 

After spending a few hours in the zoo, we walked a couple of the paths in the park.  We had been to the park before, but from a totally different neighborhood, and at the time had no idea there was zoo or that is is so big! It is quite a beautiful area and trees make it seem a lot cooler on a hot summer day! We got hungry, so took the tram back to the center for dinner. A very nice *celebration*.

Interesting facts:

In Croatian: Zološki vrt grada Zagreba; located within Maksimir Park in Zagreb, accesable via trams and is literally across the street from Zagreb's Stadion Maksimir, home of Dinamo Zagreb, (where major football matches are played and rock concerts take place).

• Zagreb Zoo is the oldest zoo in southeastern Europe, was founded by Mijo pl. Filipovic and opened on 27th June 1925. 
• On the opening day there were only three foxes and two owls.
• At that time, the park (Maksimir), was located on the outskirts of the city, now it is surrounded by many of the city's neighborhoods.
• Today the zoo covers approx.7 hectares (17-acre), and are 275 species of animals {2,225 individuals}, from almost all continents. Represented are mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. 
• Reconstruction of the old zoo began in 1990. The new Lion area was just finished and opened June 2014. (Leo is new too!)
• Maksimir Park, was founded in 1787, is approx. 316 hectares, (1,005 acres), was the first large public park in South-Eastern Europe, and opening in 1794 under Bishop Maksimilijan Vrhovac (1752–1827).It was named Maksimilian's peace or Maksimir for short.
• Besides the Zoo, the park has big meadows, numerous creeks, five lakes, and forest, with big old trees. {The remainder of the original forest survives as a girdle to the park}
• All the things needed to spend the day (i.e. coffee shops, ice cream & food stands, WC, picnic, music, sports and playground areas)

http://www.zgzoo.com/hr  

http://www.park-maksimir.hr

Yep, squirrels !!

FYI - They have a squirrel house, looks like New England, with scrub pines and all! I have never seen a squirrel here, and I live in a selo (village), so if they were here, they would be here.

Still have so much to learn,

Christine 

(**** my symbol for fireworks***)

*Celebrated* 29 years married! 6-30-2014