Madrid Zoo Aquarium: home to one of the largest zoos in the world

Madrid’s Casa de Campo is home to one of the world’s largest zoos: the Madrid Zoo Aquarium.

Madrid’s Casa de Campo is home to one of the world’s largest zoos: the Madrid Zoo Aquarium. A stroll around the various continents on the site reveals all kinds of species, from the tiniest insect to the biggest mammal: more than 2,000 animals belonging to over 500 zoological groups. Animals from all over the planet are right here in Madrid. Are you going to miss out on the fun?

Don’t jump if you hear a mighty roar that would scare the bravest adventurer – you’re in the Madrid Zoo Aquarium. You can hear the Atlas lion 8 kilometers away. The animals here know all about that, like the Emperor scorpion, the coquettish white rhino, who needs mud baths to keep cool and look after its skin, or the impressive Nile crocodile.

Baby panda bears

One of the main attractions at the zoo right now is undoubtedly the two giant panda bear cubs, born in September 2010. De De (a Chinese pet name used to refer to Madrid) and Po (meaning โ€˜innocent nature’) are both males, born from Hua Zui Ba, a female panda bear who was artificially inseminated with Bing Xing’s semen. These births are the first in Spain since Chulin was born in 1982, and the third in Europe -two panda bears were born before at the Viena Zoo. These births are great news, for this highly endangered species has great difficulties in reproducing, both in their natural habitat and -especially so- in captivity. Now, the Madrid Aquarium Zoo is making every effort to raise the panda cubs effectively.

On your visit to the zoo, you mustn’t forget the koalas either, whose stuffed-animal appearance make them a very charismatic species; the giant panda bears and the anteaters are also a must-see. These three species are only to be found in the capital, so make sure you visit them. Also, don’t forget the gorillas and the albino tiger!

Shark ahoy!

To venture into the watery depths of the Madrid Zoo Aquarium you won’t be needing your goggles, just keep your eyes open so you don’t miss the funny clownfish that might be hiding away in the coral reefs. See the tube anemone that looks like a plant but isn’t, and of course, the amazing bull sharks swimming around in the aquarium’s largest tank. There are 35 tanks for you to “dive in” and try to spot all of the more than two hundred species of vertebrates and invertebrates living there. Delfinario

How about a really special show? A combination of music, water, dance, entertainment and, what’s more, performed by the animals themselves! The Dolphinarium is just the place we’re looking for – pirouettes, somersaults and jumps that astonish and captivate the audience. Here the dolphins are the real stars of the show, not just because of their smooth shiny skin, but also because of their agility and the sense of fun that comes across when they perform. And the dolphins aren’t the only ones providing the excitement, as you can also have a great time watching the sea lions doing their juggling act, or the happy little penguins at the Marine Mammal Pavilion.

Flying free

What’s that? Is it a plane? No… It’s a white-headed eagle! One of the attractions on offer at the Aviary is that the birds of prey fly around freely, making it an exhilarating experience for thrill-seeking visitors. But don’t worry, it’s all under control. The aviary is between the Aquarium and the Dolphinarium and consists of an amphitheatre, a lake and two flight towers standing over 6 meters high.

Another of the shows in this enclosure is a fantastic explosion of color, featuring macaws, cockatoos, parrots and small parakeets, exotic birds with a huge variety of beautiful plumage.

A world waiting to be discovered

Isn’t life in the sea or in the air exciting enough for you? In that case get ready to enter a world shrouded in mystery and practically unknown to humans: the world of invertebrates, small vertebrates and poisonous snakes. The occupants of this display are none other than microscopic organisms, spiders, scorpions, and other wonders. You can marvel at the Australian stick insect, a very strange species that can reproduce without the need for a male, as well as lots of other equally fascinating creatures. You can see them all in the Mysterious Nature enclosure.

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

Farm animals live far away from the hustle and bustle, that’s why the Little Farm enclosures are designed so that young children can enjoy getting to know these creatures, and find out how farms work in a fun and friendly way.

And if you’re keen to learn lots more, the Madrid Zoo Aquarium Environmental Education Centre is open for an interactive and educational tour aimed at both young and adult visitors.

To prevent your energies from flagging during your day out, the zoo also boasts a good range of restaurants, cafรฉs, kiosks and rest areas for “explorers” to recharge their batteries in whatever way they fancy: from a refreshing ice-cream to a hearty meal, along with all kinds of sweet treats and fast food.

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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