A Slovakian Woman Who Designs Zoos
Interview with Julia Hanuliakova, translated from Slovak original
Magazine Tyzden,
Denisa Gdovinova + .company +
June 30, 2019
Nearly twenty years ago, after getting her education, young Julia Hanuliakova left for Washington State. Although in Slovakia she used to attend Greenpeace protests, in the US she found herself becoming a professional designer of zoos. She also has designed an award-winning wolf exhibit in Bratislava.
Denisa Gdovinova + .company +
June 30, 2019
Nearly twenty years ago, after getting her education, young Julia Hanuliakova left for Washington State. Although in Slovakia she used to attend Greenpeace protests, in the US she found herself becoming a professional designer of zoos. She also has designed an award-winning wolf exhibit in Bratislava.
Photo by JULO KOTUS “When designing for zoos, the architect is designing for three clients - animals, visitors, and the zoo care givers.” Says Julia Hanuliakova.
Did you catch the news that Bratislava Zoo received a prestigious prize for exhibit design a few months ago? Zoo Bratislava won the first place in the category ‘Building of the Year’ in the White Elephant competition, organized by the ‘Czech Zoo’ organization. The award was given to the new habitat and care facility for the wolves. The wolves used to live in cages, now, for the last two years they have been enjoying a new 1.25 acres forested habitat. But there is one interesting name behind this lovely event. The Bratislava wolves can thank Julia Hanuliakova, who has, years ago, gone abroad. She has worked with the best experts zoo designers in Seattle, USA, and now has her own company with a peculiar focus - designing for zoos.
A Story for Hollywood
Julia Hanuliakova’s career began like many other young people – with an internship in America. Hanuliakova graduated with master’s degree in architecture with focus on historic preservation in Bratislava. After school she received an internship with UNESCO in state of Washington. According to her, there are not many historical monuments in this area, but the nature is beautiful. "There I found myself more interested in the historical landscape than in the monuments." She says with a laugh.
After the internship, the local architects were interested in Julia's work. They were particularly impressed by her drawing and hand-drafting skills, she had illustrated brochures and a book on the history of an island off of Washington’s coast. Thanks to that she got a visa and began working with NPS. Shortly after work started, her career changed. When the terrorists attacked the World Trade Center, a decree on banning non-US citizens from working for the government was released. Because the National Park Service is under the of Ministry of Interior, Julia had to look for a new private sector employment. Luckily it was not too difficult for her.
While working for the National Park Service Julia found an unusual professional community in Seattle - several hundred design professionals making their living designing for zoos. Having a strong relationship with nature, Julia has always been against animals being kept in zoos. While living in Slovakia she used to attend Greenpeace protests and has worked with the organization Freedom of Animals. However, Seattle's zoo designers impressed her with their view of the zoo: Promoting a design that places the animal’s welfare at the center of attention, designing zoo habitats replicating the animal’s natural conditions and their home in nature. The entire community has built up around a single company, Jones & Jones, which has made this innovative style of ‘landscape immersion’ into an almost Hollywood story.
It was still in the 70's, way before Hanuliakova’s time, when Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo announced a design competition for their new gorilla exhibit. Jones & Jones made a bold suggestion - instead of cages, they planned to create an open space for the gorillas that is similar to their natural wilderness environment. Zoos were against such innovative ideas at the time, claiming that the health and safety of the animals and visitors would be compromised. While in the 19th century zoos held exotic animals in cages and chained, in the 1920s and 1930s a more dynamic environment began to be created. However, after World War II, zoos gradually returned to the old practices. Jones & Jones would probably never have succeeded in their proposal if there wasn’t for coup d'état in the management of the Seattle Zoo. With this, the zoo found itself lacking higher management. Already with the project awarded but without an authoritative direction from the zoo, the designers dared to create a design they considered the best.
The designers decided to find out how gorillas prefer in their ideal home. They traveled to Africa where, in collaboration with the well-known biologist Dian Fossey, followed several gorilla families in the wild. It turned out that the gorillas did not congregate in very attractive places; mostly the gorillas preferred to sit simply by the road or in the bushes. "The designers would like to have seen the gorillas climbing rocks by beautiful waterfalls, but it was in fact a much less dramatic environment." Hanuliakova says. Eventually, the research group found a small canyon nearby, full of lush plants that would fit with in the scale of the project. They measured, photographed, traced it, then transferred it to Seattle.
A Story for Hollywood
Julia Hanuliakova’s career began like many other young people – with an internship in America. Hanuliakova graduated with master’s degree in architecture with focus on historic preservation in Bratislava. After school she received an internship with UNESCO in state of Washington. According to her, there are not many historical monuments in this area, but the nature is beautiful. "There I found myself more interested in the historical landscape than in the monuments." She says with a laugh.
After the internship, the local architects were interested in Julia's work. They were particularly impressed by her drawing and hand-drafting skills, she had illustrated brochures and a book on the history of an island off of Washington’s coast. Thanks to that she got a visa and began working with NPS. Shortly after work started, her career changed. When the terrorists attacked the World Trade Center, a decree on banning non-US citizens from working for the government was released. Because the National Park Service is under the of Ministry of Interior, Julia had to look for a new private sector employment. Luckily it was not too difficult for her.
While working for the National Park Service Julia found an unusual professional community in Seattle - several hundred design professionals making their living designing for zoos. Having a strong relationship with nature, Julia has always been against animals being kept in zoos. While living in Slovakia she used to attend Greenpeace protests and has worked with the organization Freedom of Animals. However, Seattle's zoo designers impressed her with their view of the zoo: Promoting a design that places the animal’s welfare at the center of attention, designing zoo habitats replicating the animal’s natural conditions and their home in nature. The entire community has built up around a single company, Jones & Jones, which has made this innovative style of ‘landscape immersion’ into an almost Hollywood story.
It was still in the 70's, way before Hanuliakova’s time, when Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo announced a design competition for their new gorilla exhibit. Jones & Jones made a bold suggestion - instead of cages, they planned to create an open space for the gorillas that is similar to their natural wilderness environment. Zoos were against such innovative ideas at the time, claiming that the health and safety of the animals and visitors would be compromised. While in the 19th century zoos held exotic animals in cages and chained, in the 1920s and 1930s a more dynamic environment began to be created. However, after World War II, zoos gradually returned to the old practices. Jones & Jones would probably never have succeeded in their proposal if there wasn’t for coup d'état in the management of the Seattle Zoo. With this, the zoo found itself lacking higher management. Already with the project awarded but without an authoritative direction from the zoo, the designers dared to create a design they considered the best.
The designers decided to find out how gorillas prefer in their ideal home. They traveled to Africa where, in collaboration with the well-known biologist Dian Fossey, followed several gorilla families in the wild. It turned out that the gorillas did not congregate in very attractive places; mostly the gorillas preferred to sit simply by the road or in the bushes. "The designers would like to have seen the gorillas climbing rocks by beautiful waterfalls, but it was in fact a much less dramatic environment." Hanuliakova says. Eventually, the research group found a small canyon nearby, full of lush plants that would fit with in the scale of the project. They measured, photographed, traced it, then transferred it to Seattle.
Photo by JULO KOTUSK Two years ago, this wolf lived in a fully enclosed cage not much larger than an average living room, today he walks quietly on a forested hill in Bratislava Zoo.
The whole zoo was anxious to see what would happen. The gorillas had been living in cages or in monkey houses, never experienced or sometimes even seen an open natural environment. There have been pessimistic predictions; the gorillas will break the glass, rip the trees out, escape and attack visitors, or at least destroy the entire habitat with their (the designers) naïve idea of beautiful landscaping. That is how the gorillas had acted so far: as asocial teenagers. They threw feces, fought each other and their keepers, and had problems with mating. Nevertheless, the day came when keepers opened the door of the old monkey house and invited them to their new habitat. Nothing happened at first, the gorillas didn't want to leave the house. Finally, the female decided to come out. She carefully examined the new habitat, returned to the house, grabbed the male's hand and pulled him out. So there were the two of them, hand in hand, staring in awe at their new home. “It was a truly moving moment. There was an immediate change in their behavior. The two apes who were normally trying to kill each other were standing there in peace on a green meadow. People wrote poems about it.” Hanuliakova continues.
Despite grim predictions, the gorillas did not cause any calamities in the new environment. They removed a few plants; but not out of aggression, but to replant them elsewhere, adapting the environment to their ideas of home. “They were suddenly doing things that people considered to be something beyond their levels of cognition. They’ve shown that we have not yet fully understood them.” Explains Hanuliakova. The exhibit was a huge success. Each zoo wanted an exhibit in which animals will be active and satisfied. This success was also shaped the zoo designers' philosophy, which has grown strongly in Seattle. They suggest copying the animal's natural environment as accurately as possible. "It doesn't have to be an exact visual replica, but it must offer the same opportunities for animal natural behaviours." Hanuliakova summarizes.
What Are Zoos For?
Julia Hanuliakova worked at Jones & Jones for a couple of years, remembering it as one of her favorite places of work. Previously, she spent seven years at another zoo design firm where she learned the trade of designing for zoos; from creating design concepts through construction documents, from master plan studies to exhibit details, and construction observation. But in Jones & Jones found a more creative environment. “We discussed each project for quite some time. We always thought and talked about what we could do better, truer, and more authentic.” Recalls Hanuliakova. After a crisis in 2008, the company temporary closed it’s zoo department and Julia was employed elsewhere. It didn't take long for her to create her own business, she named Zoo Design Inc. "Simple and straight forward, like Monsters Inc." Julia laughs as she refers to the Pixar film.
But how does an animal rights activist become a zoo designer? When designing zoos, the architect must take care of three clients: Animals, visitors, and the zoo care givers. Julia emphasizes that she is particularly concerned with animal’s welfare because out of these three groups, the animals are the ones that are in the zoo involuntarily. Thankfully, since all the animals in zoos today were born in zoos, they have no experience with how they should be in the wild.
“When I was an animal welfare activist, I was against the zoos. I believed zoos only kept animals so the visitors can enjoy themselves looking at animals as curiosities." Hanuliakova recalls. But today she claims that zoos are the most important conservation organizations in the world. With her hand in the air she draws two large circles; one of them is a wild world, the other an urbanized society. In the middle, she marks a small circle that connects those areas: Zoos.
According to Julia, zoos have the potential for greatest influence of public opinion among all conservation organizations. She claims that more people are coming to zoos worldwide then to all mass sports combined such as ice hockey, soccer, and basketball. Zoos have the potential to influence the masses and their views on nature and conservation, as well as on the current global issues where wild animals are also involved. "Many biologists working with animals in the wild refer to their meeting of a wild animal at a zoo as a child as the beginning of their life-long passion and profession." Says Hanuliakova. Meeting a live wild animal that previously existed only in their imagination from reading books or seeing videos of the animal, or even what was not imagined. This is an impactful experience, especially for children. To recreate the experience for an adult, imagine meeting a live dinosaur.
According to Hanuliakova, zoos also operate as a resource of knowledge. Most of what we know today about taking care of wild animals, we learned in zoos. Without them, biologists, such as those working to maintain lion population in South Africa, would find it hard to reach the level knowledge they have needed to communicate with wild animals and to do their job. Animal welfare in zoos is not just about throwing food in and locking the cage. "Today, keepers have university degrees in biology, talk and learn about animal preferences, and prepare their daily behavioral program to be enriched their lives," Hanuliakova explains.
“More people are coming to zoos worldwide then to all mass sports combined such as ice hockey, soccer, and basketball.”
Many zoos also keep a stud book in which animals have their family tree registered. It is common practice in the world's zoos that each zoo "adopts" a particular animal or two, such as the Estonian zoo in Tallinn adopted a mink. They monitor and organize its distribution to other zoos so that its gene pool remains healthy. Such populations then serve as a reserve for the wild populations, where their genetic material is often transferred. However, zoo-born animals are rarely released directly into the wild. "They would not know that they should be afraid of people and a conflict would arise from which the animals would not survive. People are much stronger.” Explains Hanuliakova.
She adds that zoos also act as a major financial supporter of direct conservation actions. Almost every zoo gives a portion of its entrance fee to conservation projects, and the current trend is to fundraise and support a particular wildlife conservation project with opening each new exhibit.
Bratislava Wolves
“I like Slovakia, I didn't go abroad because I was bitter. That is why I also liked the idea that I would come home and help.” Hanuliakova begins talking about how she got to work with Zoo Bratislava. They met at the right moment – Zoo Bratislava was fundraising money for a new exhibit for their wolves, while Julia had a lot of experience designing exhibits specifically for these animals. When searching for an ideal place for wolves on the zoo’s property, Julia discovered the great potential of the Zoo Bratislava. “It has amazing spatial possibilities, diverse ecosystems, and a spacious area where it can spread further.” She says as she points her hands at the nearby hills of the zoo.
So, Hanuliakova did not just stay in the design of one exhibit, but together with the management of the zoo they looked at the Bratislava Zoo in its entirety. Together they created a masterplan for the Zoo, an overall concept of zoo development for the future. The map of Bratislava Zoo is illustrated by Julia on the palm of her hand. The entrance is located entirely at the wrist and ‘far-end’ exhibit at the fingertips. The index finger will take visitors to the African savannah, the middle finger to the Dino Park, a ring finger to the wolves. The problem, however, is that, like fingers, these exposures are not linked. So the visitor must come to the wolves on a hill, turn around and go back the same way as they came, and then climb another hill, for example to see the rhinos in the African animals area. As part of the new concept, Hanuliakova suggested a suspension bridge that would connect the index finger with the ring finger, leading over the middle, that is, over the dinosaurs in the Dino Park.
"Oh, there is a wolf walking." Hanuliakova points out as we near the end of the ring, at the award-winning Eurasian Wolf exhibit. Until two years ago it lived in a cage not much larger than an average living room, today he strides peacefully on a wooded hill. The keepers say it was a huge change for the wolves. Despite the fact they never lived in the wild, in their new habitat they behave as they were expected to do in wild: they dig in the ground, burry food, chew plants, or dig up beetles, and so on. "The wolves have a strong affinity for smells and aromas, they search for their preferred blooming flowers and when the time is right, they roll and bath in them." Hanuliakova says with a smile.
Only a few minutes have passed and the wolf is walking again on the path along the fence. The wolves have created a network of paths by themselves. It may be difficult to believe because he paths look like the feet of tourists have worked on them for years. As one of their natural behaviors, wolves patrol, circumvent, and guard their territory regularly. Bratislava wolves have shown another pattern of behavior that is common with their wild colleagues - climbing and tree jumping. Hanuliakova compares it to parkour, wolves run up a tree tree, bounce, turn in the air and jump land onto an adjacent tree. Bratislava wolves started to do it, and it is fascinating to watch, according to the keepers. Well, they usually do it in the morning or evening when there are no visitors. "The wolves have never seen it before, because they grew up in a cage. But they have it in themselves.” Explains Hanuliakova.
There is also a small wooden lookout to the wolves, from which visitors can see them better. According to Hanuliakova, visitor view of animals is a common problem when designing an exhibit: When we want to make a perfect exhibit for an animal, the visitors might not be able to see the animals that well. Because wolves who patrol their new territory and observe the visitors at regular intervals, along with the lookout for visitors overlooking wolves favorite meadow, for the people visiting wolves in Bratislava, this is not a problem.
Looking at happy wolves in Bratislava Zoo, Julia Hanuliakova says that she could imagine returning to Slovakia. "For example, it would be a great motivation to find a way to become the director of this zoo." says Hanuliakova, laughing. She has a clear vision of where the Bratislava Zoo could and should go and says that one day Zoo Bratislava will equal Zoo Vienna, Prague, or Zlín in its quality. She already has a large network of contacts among Zoo directors in Europe, America, and around the world. She also knows several directors who were formerly designers as she is today. And living in Slovakia is not such far out idea for her husband, who likes our mountains.
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Despite grim predictions, the gorillas did not cause any calamities in the new environment. They removed a few plants; but not out of aggression, but to replant them elsewhere, adapting the environment to their ideas of home. “They were suddenly doing things that people considered to be something beyond their levels of cognition. They’ve shown that we have not yet fully understood them.” Explains Hanuliakova. The exhibit was a huge success. Each zoo wanted an exhibit in which animals will be active and satisfied. This success was also shaped the zoo designers' philosophy, which has grown strongly in Seattle. They suggest copying the animal's natural environment as accurately as possible. "It doesn't have to be an exact visual replica, but it must offer the same opportunities for animal natural behaviours." Hanuliakova summarizes.
What Are Zoos For?
Julia Hanuliakova worked at Jones & Jones for a couple of years, remembering it as one of her favorite places of work. Previously, she spent seven years at another zoo design firm where she learned the trade of designing for zoos; from creating design concepts through construction documents, from master plan studies to exhibit details, and construction observation. But in Jones & Jones found a more creative environment. “We discussed each project for quite some time. We always thought and talked about what we could do better, truer, and more authentic.” Recalls Hanuliakova. After a crisis in 2008, the company temporary closed it’s zoo department and Julia was employed elsewhere. It didn't take long for her to create her own business, she named Zoo Design Inc. "Simple and straight forward, like Monsters Inc." Julia laughs as she refers to the Pixar film.
But how does an animal rights activist become a zoo designer? When designing zoos, the architect must take care of three clients: Animals, visitors, and the zoo care givers. Julia emphasizes that she is particularly concerned with animal’s welfare because out of these three groups, the animals are the ones that are in the zoo involuntarily. Thankfully, since all the animals in zoos today were born in zoos, they have no experience with how they should be in the wild.
“When I was an animal welfare activist, I was against the zoos. I believed zoos only kept animals so the visitors can enjoy themselves looking at animals as curiosities." Hanuliakova recalls. But today she claims that zoos are the most important conservation organizations in the world. With her hand in the air she draws two large circles; one of them is a wild world, the other an urbanized society. In the middle, she marks a small circle that connects those areas: Zoos.
According to Julia, zoos have the potential for greatest influence of public opinion among all conservation organizations. She claims that more people are coming to zoos worldwide then to all mass sports combined such as ice hockey, soccer, and basketball. Zoos have the potential to influence the masses and their views on nature and conservation, as well as on the current global issues where wild animals are also involved. "Many biologists working with animals in the wild refer to their meeting of a wild animal at a zoo as a child as the beginning of their life-long passion and profession." Says Hanuliakova. Meeting a live wild animal that previously existed only in their imagination from reading books or seeing videos of the animal, or even what was not imagined. This is an impactful experience, especially for children. To recreate the experience for an adult, imagine meeting a live dinosaur.
According to Hanuliakova, zoos also operate as a resource of knowledge. Most of what we know today about taking care of wild animals, we learned in zoos. Without them, biologists, such as those working to maintain lion population in South Africa, would find it hard to reach the level knowledge they have needed to communicate with wild animals and to do their job. Animal welfare in zoos is not just about throwing food in and locking the cage. "Today, keepers have university degrees in biology, talk and learn about animal preferences, and prepare their daily behavioral program to be enriched their lives," Hanuliakova explains.
“More people are coming to zoos worldwide then to all mass sports combined such as ice hockey, soccer, and basketball.”
Many zoos also keep a stud book in which animals have their family tree registered. It is common practice in the world's zoos that each zoo "adopts" a particular animal or two, such as the Estonian zoo in Tallinn adopted a mink. They monitor and organize its distribution to other zoos so that its gene pool remains healthy. Such populations then serve as a reserve for the wild populations, where their genetic material is often transferred. However, zoo-born animals are rarely released directly into the wild. "They would not know that they should be afraid of people and a conflict would arise from which the animals would not survive. People are much stronger.” Explains Hanuliakova.
She adds that zoos also act as a major financial supporter of direct conservation actions. Almost every zoo gives a portion of its entrance fee to conservation projects, and the current trend is to fundraise and support a particular wildlife conservation project with opening each new exhibit.
Bratislava Wolves
“I like Slovakia, I didn't go abroad because I was bitter. That is why I also liked the idea that I would come home and help.” Hanuliakova begins talking about how she got to work with Zoo Bratislava. They met at the right moment – Zoo Bratislava was fundraising money for a new exhibit for their wolves, while Julia had a lot of experience designing exhibits specifically for these animals. When searching for an ideal place for wolves on the zoo’s property, Julia discovered the great potential of the Zoo Bratislava. “It has amazing spatial possibilities, diverse ecosystems, and a spacious area where it can spread further.” She says as she points her hands at the nearby hills of the zoo.
So, Hanuliakova did not just stay in the design of one exhibit, but together with the management of the zoo they looked at the Bratislava Zoo in its entirety. Together they created a masterplan for the Zoo, an overall concept of zoo development for the future. The map of Bratislava Zoo is illustrated by Julia on the palm of her hand. The entrance is located entirely at the wrist and ‘far-end’ exhibit at the fingertips. The index finger will take visitors to the African savannah, the middle finger to the Dino Park, a ring finger to the wolves. The problem, however, is that, like fingers, these exposures are not linked. So the visitor must come to the wolves on a hill, turn around and go back the same way as they came, and then climb another hill, for example to see the rhinos in the African animals area. As part of the new concept, Hanuliakova suggested a suspension bridge that would connect the index finger with the ring finger, leading over the middle, that is, over the dinosaurs in the Dino Park.
"Oh, there is a wolf walking." Hanuliakova points out as we near the end of the ring, at the award-winning Eurasian Wolf exhibit. Until two years ago it lived in a cage not much larger than an average living room, today he strides peacefully on a wooded hill. The keepers say it was a huge change for the wolves. Despite the fact they never lived in the wild, in their new habitat they behave as they were expected to do in wild: they dig in the ground, burry food, chew plants, or dig up beetles, and so on. "The wolves have a strong affinity for smells and aromas, they search for their preferred blooming flowers and when the time is right, they roll and bath in them." Hanuliakova says with a smile.
Only a few minutes have passed and the wolf is walking again on the path along the fence. The wolves have created a network of paths by themselves. It may be difficult to believe because he paths look like the feet of tourists have worked on them for years. As one of their natural behaviors, wolves patrol, circumvent, and guard their territory regularly. Bratislava wolves have shown another pattern of behavior that is common with their wild colleagues - climbing and tree jumping. Hanuliakova compares it to parkour, wolves run up a tree tree, bounce, turn in the air and jump land onto an adjacent tree. Bratislava wolves started to do it, and it is fascinating to watch, according to the keepers. Well, they usually do it in the morning or evening when there are no visitors. "The wolves have never seen it before, because they grew up in a cage. But they have it in themselves.” Explains Hanuliakova.
There is also a small wooden lookout to the wolves, from which visitors can see them better. According to Hanuliakova, visitor view of animals is a common problem when designing an exhibit: When we want to make a perfect exhibit for an animal, the visitors might not be able to see the animals that well. Because wolves who patrol their new territory and observe the visitors at regular intervals, along with the lookout for visitors overlooking wolves favorite meadow, for the people visiting wolves in Bratislava, this is not a problem.
Looking at happy wolves in Bratislava Zoo, Julia Hanuliakova says that she could imagine returning to Slovakia. "For example, it would be a great motivation to find a way to become the director of this zoo." says Hanuliakova, laughing. She has a clear vision of where the Bratislava Zoo could and should go and says that one day Zoo Bratislava will equal Zoo Vienna, Prague, or Zlín in its quality. She already has a large network of contacts among Zoo directors in Europe, America, and around the world. She also knows several directors who were formerly designers as she is today. And living in Slovakia is not such far out idea for her husband, who likes our mountains.
You could see this content because you are our honored subscriber. We thank you!
If you found an error, please write to web@tyzden.sk.
.denisa Gdovinova + .company +
Bratislava Zoo Wins First Place For The (Exhibit) Construction Of The Year Award
A news story from Bratislavske Noviny, translated from Slovak original
News | April 18, 2019
The Bratislava Zoo joined the White Elephant competition, organized by the Czech Zoo in cooperation with the Union of Czech and Slovak Zoological Gardens, winning first place in this year’s competition.
The winner of the 25th White Elephant Competition was announced on Wednesday April 17, 2019 in the Capuchin Monastery in Fulnek, Czech Republic. Prizes are awarded annually in two categories – year’s best husbandry success and year’s best exhibit design. The competition celebrates success of breeding of rare species of mammals, birds and other animals, as well as progressive new exhibit design or conversions that have been realized in the past year.
“In 2012 we launched a fundraising campaign called ‘Making our wolves howl happy,’ which helped to design and build the new habitat. We established cooperation with Mrs. Júlia Hanuliaková and her design studio, Zoo Design Inc., based in Seattle. This resulted in an architectural study of a new habitat for wolves in the forested area of the zoo. Based on the study a project plan for the construction of a new exhibit was developed. Construction began in the fall of 2016 and was completed in the spring of 2017. The new living space for the wolves in our zoo strongly mimics the natural forest habitat of this species. The habitat meets all physiological, ethological, and ecological needs for the wolves. Microclimatic and terrain conditions are also met, motivating the individuals to behave in their natural way of life (digging in the hillsides, patrolling on elevated places, marking the territory, eating insects from below dry stumps, burying food remains, etc.). The habitat also includes a holding building with a separation and outdoor bedrooms as well as a service and handling area for care givers. The habitat is divided into two parts by a corridor with transfer tunnels. The smaller part consists of an acclimatization/separation habitat with an area of 887 m2 and the larger part has an area of 4,192 m2. Together, the runs and corridor have an area of 5,079 m2. The habitat fencing is designed to prevent wolves from escaping by burrowing, climbing, or jumping. The mesh is embedded one meter below the ground surface and electric wires are installed at the bottom of the fence." Explained Chalupová.
“Overall, the fence is three meters tall with a 70 cm long curved section where there is a second electric wire. The habitat needed little to no change, as it includes trees, bushes, grass, root drills, and rocks. Only wooden shelters were added for the wolves, some pine trees and larger rocks were added to the outdoor holding area. Visitors have the opportunity to watch wolves from two elevated points - a three-meter-high wooden lookout on one side and a visitor's shelter on the hill of the opposite side of the habitat. Part of the experience is a set of educational panels on wolves with an educational display case, this where visitors can see a replica of a wolf's skull, a claw, and a comparison of claws to other animals. After completing all the construction work, we moved our wolves into their new habitat in April 2017. We first release the wolves into the outdoor holding bedrooms and then we send them into a small acclimation enclosure. After a few days of acclimatization to their new environment, the wolves were released into the small habitat and then into the large habitat which is viewed by guests. Initially they had uncertainty and some fear, but at the same time the joy of the vast open space. They got used to it quickly and very soon after being settled, our wolves started to live happily in their new home ... " Added Chalupová.
The Bratislava Zoo joined the White Elephant competition, organized by the Czech Zoo in cooperation with the Union of Czech and Slovak Zoological Gardens, winning first place in this year’s competition.
The winner of the 25th White Elephant Competition was announced on Wednesday April 17, 2019 in the Capuchin Monastery in Fulnek, Czech Republic. Prizes are awarded annually in two categories – year’s best husbandry success and year’s best exhibit design. The competition celebrates success of breeding of rare species of mammals, birds and other animals, as well as progressive new exhibit design or conversions that have been realized in the past year.
“In 2012 we launched a fundraising campaign called ‘Making our wolves howl happy,’ which helped to design and build the new habitat. We established cooperation with Mrs. Júlia Hanuliaková and her design studio, Zoo Design Inc., based in Seattle. This resulted in an architectural study of a new habitat for wolves in the forested area of the zoo. Based on the study a project plan for the construction of a new exhibit was developed. Construction began in the fall of 2016 and was completed in the spring of 2017. The new living space for the wolves in our zoo strongly mimics the natural forest habitat of this species. The habitat meets all physiological, ethological, and ecological needs for the wolves. Microclimatic and terrain conditions are also met, motivating the individuals to behave in their natural way of life (digging in the hillsides, patrolling on elevated places, marking the territory, eating insects from below dry stumps, burying food remains, etc.). The habitat also includes a holding building with a separation and outdoor bedrooms as well as a service and handling area for care givers. The habitat is divided into two parts by a corridor with transfer tunnels. The smaller part consists of an acclimatization/separation habitat with an area of 887 m2 and the larger part has an area of 4,192 m2. Together, the runs and corridor have an area of 5,079 m2. The habitat fencing is designed to prevent wolves from escaping by burrowing, climbing, or jumping. The mesh is embedded one meter below the ground surface and electric wires are installed at the bottom of the fence." Explained Chalupová.
“Overall, the fence is three meters tall with a 70 cm long curved section where there is a second electric wire. The habitat needed little to no change, as it includes trees, bushes, grass, root drills, and rocks. Only wooden shelters were added for the wolves, some pine trees and larger rocks were added to the outdoor holding area. Visitors have the opportunity to watch wolves from two elevated points - a three-meter-high wooden lookout on one side and a visitor's shelter on the hill of the opposite side of the habitat. Part of the experience is a set of educational panels on wolves with an educational display case, this where visitors can see a replica of a wolf's skull, a claw, and a comparison of claws to other animals. After completing all the construction work, we moved our wolves into their new habitat in April 2017. We first release the wolves into the outdoor holding bedrooms and then we send them into a small acclimation enclosure. After a few days of acclimatization to their new environment, the wolves were released into the small habitat and then into the large habitat which is viewed by guests. Initially they had uncertainty and some fear, but at the same time the joy of the vast open space. They got used to it quickly and very soon after being settled, our wolves started to live happily in their new home ... " Added Chalupová.
