Pantanal aviary
Opening: 2028 | Area: approx. 11,000 m2 | Aviary height: 35 m
The Pantanal in South America is one of the largest wetlands in the world – around six times the size of Switzerland. Its landscape changes completely from the dry to the rainy season: large parts of the area are flooded during the rainy months. It thus forms an important habitat for countless animals and plants.
This unique landscape and many of the animal species living there are severely endangered by progressive destruction.
The inspiration: View of a section of the South American Pantanal wetlands in Mato Grosso, Brazil. Photo: Photo: iStockphoto, Leonardo Merçon
In the Pantanal aviary at the zoo, guests can explore the South American wetlands close to the water and at lofty heights. A tower offers a panoramic view over the exhibit: in the middle of the birds' flight area, guests are part of the habitat.
This unique encounter with flocks of flying birds is made possible by the vast net stretched at great heights.
The Pantanal aviary is spanned by a vast net. Rendering: Region Five Media
The level path leads through dense gallery forests, which repeatedly offer views of open grasslands. It crosses a wide river that supplies the landscape with water and also audibly characterises the experience with its waterfall.
During the staged rainy season, the river floods large parts of the open areas. As in nature, it transforms the landscape into its second form – an enrichment for the animals and guests alike.
The new habitat at a glance: the Pantanal aviary covering around 11,000 square metres. Illustration: Zoo Zurich, vetschpartner Landschaftsarchitekten AG
The animals
The animals represent the biodiversity of the South American Pantanal – and the threats to it. Guests encounter endangered species such as the sun conure and the golden lion tamarin. The South American tapir, Giant anteater and Goeldi's marmoset are also vulnerable in the wild. The animals of these species living in the Pantanal aviary are part of European ex situ breeding programmes with which the zoos are jointly building up reserve populations.
The birds are particularly rich in species. In addition to various species of water and marsh birds and Chilean flamingos, it is the parrots that attract the most attention. The endangered Hyacinth macaws are the world's largest parrots. Seeing them in flight in large numbers is a thrill not just for bird fans.
Support the project
Support the construction of the Pantanal aviary and help us to bring this unique habitat with its species-rich fauna to Zurich. We appreciate every contribution. Thank you very much!
The Pantanal aviary consists of many individual elements that you can call «yours» – from a waterfall and a viewing tower to a tree house or a research station.
Construction Vlog
The construction site for the Pantanal Aviary in the centre of the zoo is a hive of activity. Our video blog «Baugeflüster» gives a monthly update on where the construction work stands. (Available only in German.)
Pantanal podcast
Curator Basil von Ah explains what makes the planned Pantanal aviary so special in the 2nd episode of the 3rd season of the «Zoo Zürich Backstage» podcast (in German language). Podcast: Zurich Zoo, Nicole Schnyder. The podcast is produced in co-operation with audiobande.ch.
