Zoo Basel

Zoo Basel

Zoo Basel is a fun place in the city of Basel, in Switzerland. People there call it Zolli. It is very special because it is the oldest zoo in Switzerland and has over 500 animals from all seven continents!

The zoo is in a pretty valley near a little stream called the Birsig. It is close to the city and near the towns of Binningen and Basel-Country. Every year, more than one million people visit Zoo Basel to see the animals.

Zoo Basel is famous for helping animals have babies. It was the first place where an Indian rhinoceros was born in a zoo and the first place where a greater flamingo hatched. The zoo has helped many animals, like cheetahs, okapi, and flamingos, have babies. All the Somali wild asses in zoos around the world come from the breeding program that started at Zoo Basel.

The zoo has many fun places to explore. The Africa area has hippos, ostriches, and zebras living together outside. The Bird House is a special building just for birds, where you can hear and sometimes see them flying. The Etosha area shows animals from Africa and has spaces for cheetahs, African wild dogs, and lions.

Zoo Basel also has special nights when it stays open late. On Beck Day, June 24, the zoo stays open until 10 pm to honor Johannes Beck, its first big supporter. There are fun events like live music and special meals. On Zolli nights, the zoo stays open until midnight, and tickets cost less after 5 pm.

Zoo Basel is always making new and exciting changes. It has renovated the monkey house, the zoo restaurant, and built a new elephant house. There are more fun changes planned for the future!