Attica Zoological Park

It opened in May 2000, initially as a Bird Park, hosting the 3rd largest bird collection in the world (1.100 birds from 300 different species), farm animals for the younger visitors and 3 very impressive walk-in aviaries – miniatures of the 3 continents – in which visitors can walk and admire the relevant bird fauna and flora.[1]

World of reptiles was added in April 2001, followed by Greek fauna in 2002, the African Savannah exhibit in 2003, a cat exhibit and expansion of the African Savannah exhibit in 2004, a monkey exhibit in 2005, Land of the Cheetah, a chimpanzee and siamng gibbons exhibit, and a desert exhibit (with bactrian camels and Somali wild asses) in 2008.[1]

In 2010, the zoo opened a dolphinarium and added Southern white rhinos to its residents.[1]

World of Reptiles opened in April of 2001 and it was the first addition to the zoo after its opening. Among the species in the "World of Reptiles" are cane toads, texas rat snakes, New Guinea viper boas, yellow anacondas, a Nile crocodile and radiated tortoises.

The "Greek Fauna" exhibit opened the following year in the summer of 2002 and includes species rarely seen in Greece.This exhibit features wild boars, fallow deers and the endangered Cretan wild goat also known as the Kri-Kri.

Reticulated giraffes in the zoo.

The "African Savannah" is an Africa-themed area that was opened in February of 2003 and it's the largest exhibit in the zoo. Animals on display in this area include the reticulated giraffe, Grant’s zebras, Kafue lechwes and the South African ostrich. Sometimes Arabian oryxes and Scimitar oryxes can be viewed in the "African Savannah" too.

Some of the animals of the park.

The zoo's big cats include lions and Sumatran tigers, as well as cougars and Persian leopards. The zoo has several walk-through enclosures, including a "monkey's jungle".In December of 2015, two male Asian Elephants arrived at the Park

In 2005, the zoo began to run daily shows featuring birds of prey. In 2010 the zoo began shows with its newly installed dolphinarium showing sea-lions and dolphins.

The park have 7 dolphins : Veera (F), Leevi (M), Eevertti (M), Lima (M), Nojus (M), Ekinox (M) and Naska (M).

Future plans include a museum of evolution with its primary focus on dinosaurs, called Dinosauropolisan, and an aquarium an Aquarium of international stature. [1]

In June 2010 the dolphinarium started working with shows by sea lions and dolphins. There were initially four dolphins bought from the Lithuanian Marine Institute, then seven more were added from the same source. The Greek Green Party took Attica Zoological Park to court claiming animal welfare issues in 2011. In April 2011, a Provisional Order was issued by the Athens Court temporarily prohibiting the operation of the dolphinarium.[4] BBC has sent a correspondent to cover the story[5] and the controversy has been presented in an article by author Lauren St John in The Sunday Times.[6] In August 2011, the Greek court issued a decision declaring itself not competent to pass judgement on the case. Although the zoo claimed that the case in question has been decided permanently and that the company has been vindicated, this decision only addresses the ability of this particular court to decide the issue.[7]

• Media related to Attica Zoological Park at Wikimedia Commons
• Official website (in English and Greek)
• https://athensattica.com/things-to-do/parks/attica-zoological-park/
• https://www.myguideathens.com/things-to-do/athens-attica-zoo-and-shopping-combo-full-day-tour