Dear visitors, the following project is being carried out within the ZOO: Redevelopment of a farm building into a crocodile farm which is cofinanced by the European fund for the regional development - the direction is the future, the aim is the prosperity - ROP Jihozápad.

 

Supported from the European Funds for Regional Development

 

The day of 29 October will always be recorded in the history of our zoo. On this day we accepted, directly from India, a group of Gavialis gangeticus, one of the most precious animal species on our planet. In the past, groups of young Gavialis gangeticus were transported into some of the world zoos, into the Prague ZOO for the last time. In our case, the unique transport of a breeding couple of these Gavialis gangeticus, moreover accompanied by a group of five young ones being one and half meters long was realized. In total, the group of seven Gavialis gangeticus in Protivín ZOO is the largest one in the world outside India and Nepal, which are countries of origin of these amazingly beautiful crocodiles.

The agreement on the delivery of an adult couple of Gavialis gangeticus originated within the visit of Miroslav Procházka, the zoo director, in Mádras Crocodile Bank Trust v Indii in the autumn. Romulus Whitaker, the founder of this crocodile farm and the world-known conservationist famous for his documentary programmes on the largest crocodiles and cobras recently broadcast on Czech TV Channels offered the group of Gavialis gangeticus to our zoo as an exchange for a group of Crocodylus rhombifer. This fact means appreciation of our work since a world-known institution establishing its own breeding group decided to choose crocodiles bred in our zoo. After more than three-year long administrative preparations, this exchange came true on 14th to 29th October. It resulted in the launch of breeding of Crocodylus rhombifer in India, where there had been none of this species bred yet, followed by arrival of seven Gavialis gangeticus into Protivín. The male is 4.2 m long belonging to the largest captive-bred crocodiles in Europe. The female is a bit smaller – 3.6m. This couple is accompanied with a group of five-year old young ones. Gavialis gangeticus have still been quarantined. Their transport into the exhibition area will be announced on this website.

 

 

 Gavialis gangeticus - a four metre long female

 

In these days, valuable Bitis parviocula of Ethiopia have been exhibited. Our ZOO is the first and the only one in Europe doing so. Bitis species is famous for its mightiness and lovely colours, as well as for its very long teeth and mortally dangerous poison. Next, you can see Bitis arientas, a smaller and colourful form coming from the Lake Nakuru in Kenya, and huge Bitis nasicornis from Uganda.

 

 The Viper Queen

 

On Sunday 28th August within his short stay in the Czech Republic, twenty-one year old Ryan Terry, the winner of the international competition “Mister International“, did not forget to visit the Crocodile ZOO. Ryan Terry, a former plumber, comes from Britain. Now, he has become to a symbol of a number of the international fashion houses. He visited the Zoo within his demanding program in our country. He was keen on reptiles, expressing his sincere and lively interest.

 

 

The winner of the international competition “Mister International“ Ryan Terry with a young Philippine Crocodile, the most precious crocodile in the world

The exhibition of the crocodile zoo has been enriched by 21st species - Crocodylus johnsoni from Australia. In the whole of Europe, this species is kept only in ZOO Protivín. Our visitors might also be interested in the exhibition of poisonous snakes including Naja naja, Crotalus lepidus klauberii and two kinds of so called alligator turtles - Macroclemmys temmincki and Chelydra serpentina.

 

On 26 February, after many years, we finally received a Crocodylus acutus female, a partner to our male of the same kind, very popular James. She arrived from Ecuador. Due to the fact that she is of about one meter shorter than James, she will have to wait for several months before she gets strong enough. The event was very important which can be supported by the presence of TV team of the Czech national TV channel - CT 1. The report of this event was presented on TV the other day in the main broadcasting time.