Events

JANUARY

Commented Feedings and Animal Talks: Held at weekends. Visit the animals when they are at their most active and uncover fascinating insights into their lives. Encounters with popular species, accompanied by engaging commentary, take place throughout the day—just take your pick! Outdoor sessions run only in fine weather.

Zoo of Light: The evening exhibition Wild Asia by Garden of Lights features more than two hundred lanterns in the shape of animals and plants from the world’s largest continent. It also includes interactive projections, a 60-metre light tunnel and, for the very first time, moving animal figures.

Exhibitions:
Gočár’s Houses Gallery (weekends only, 10 am – 3 pm): The Barrandian: Testimony of the Prehistoric Sea
Yurt (daily, during the zoo’s opening hours): How the Wild Horses Regain Their Freedom
Terrace in front of the Education Centre (daily, during the zoo’s opening hours): The Wildlife of Kenya

1.–2. 1. (Thu–Fri) New Year at Prague Zoo
Enjoy the start of the new year at the zoo.

Commented feedings and animal talks:

• 10:30 am Aardvarks (African House)
• 10:30 am Kangaroos and wallabies (Darwin Crater)
• 11:00 am Penguins (House of Penguins)
• 11:00 am Giraffes (African House)
• 12:30 pm Przewalski’s horses (Gobi)
• 1:00 pm Elephants (Elephant Valley)
• 2:00 pm Wombats (Darwin Crater)
• 2:45 pm Red river hogs (Dja Reserve)
• 3:00 pm Gorillas (Dja Reserve)
• 3:45 pm Pangolins (Indonesian Jungle)

1:30 pm Fur seal training demonstration (Fur Seals) – Thursday only

3. 1. (Sat) Mobi the Gorilla’s Second Birthday Celebration
Join us in celebrating the birthday of the first gorilla baby born in Prague’s Dja Reserve.

• 10:00 am Giving enrichment items to the gorillas (Dja Reserve)
• 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm Gorilla talks (Dja Reserve)
• 3:00 pm Gorilla feeding (Dja Reserve)
• 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Information and activity stations (African Classrom in the Dja Reserve)
  • Gorillas at Prague Zoo
  • Meeting in Somalomo
  • Make a wish for Mobi

6. 1. (Tue) Three Kings at Prague Zoo
Join the Three Kings on their journey through the zoo.

• 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Three Kings’ Journey (entire zoo grounds)
• 13.30 Commented feeding of the Bactrian camels (Plains)

10. 1. (Sat) ZooSchool for Adults: Get Rid of Phobias
Even in adulthood, many of us suffer from an irrational fear of certain animals—snakes or spiders, for example. It is scientifically proven that phobias are, on the whole, learned and can be lessened. Experienced tutors will introduce you to the creatures you fear, explaining and gradually introducing them in an attempt to replace the negative feelings with a positive experience for later life.

17. 1. (Sat) Ornithological Walk to the Wintering Grounds of Waterbirds
Join us for a guided walk with an ornithologist to the nearby banks of the Vltava, where numerous ducks and other waterbirds spend the winter.

• 8:30–11:00 am Ornithological Walk
  Participants will meet at 8:30 am at the zoo’s main entrance.
  The walk will be led by ornithologist RNDr Martin Smrček. Participation is free of charge.

24. 1. (Sat) ZooSchool for Adults: We Help Them to Survive
Do you know what the mission of modern zoos is? Let us show you the role zoos play in nature conservation and take a behind-the-scenes look at Prague Zoo’s most important in situ projects.

25. 1. (Sun) Enrichment Workshop
Enrichment encourages animals to increase their physical activity or, conversely, to rest; engages their senses; motivates them to solve new and unusual challenges; in short, it creates a varied environment that supports their natural behaviour. During these creative workshops you will have the opportunity to make handmade enrichment items, becoming, for a day, a valued member of our team.

26. 1. (Mon) World Environmental Education Day
As part of the World Environmental Education Day, we are preparing a special event for schools, during which we will present our educational programmes.
Advance registration is required at skoly@zoopraha.cz.

30. 1. (Fri) Half-term Holidays at Prague Zoo
Are you interested in gorilla conservation and the protection of their habitat in Africa? You can help by recycling your old mobile phone at Prague Zoo. Every child under 15 who hands in an old mobile phone on the day will receive admission to the zoo for just CZK 1.

• 10:00 am Giving enrichment items to the gorillas (Dja Reserve)
• 3:00 pm Giving enrichment items to the gorillas (Mefou Centre)
• 11:00 am – 2:00 pm Gorilla talks every hour of the hour (Dja Reserve and Mefou Centre)
• 10:00 pm – 3:00 pm Accompanying programme (African classroom in the Dja Reserve)
  • Recycling mobile phones makes sense: The Remobil stand showing what raw materials can be recovered from mobile phones
  • Meeting in Somalomo: Learn about the project to protect gorillas and other animals in Central Africa

 

FEBRUARY

Commented Feedings and Animal Talks: Held at weekends. Visit the animals when they are at their most active and uncover fascinating insights into their lives. Encounters with popular species, accompanied by engaging commentary, take place throughout the day—just take your pick! Outdoor sessions run only in fine weather.

Exhibitions:
Gočár’s Houses Gallery (weekends only, 10 am – 3 pm): The Barrandian: Testimony of the Prehistoric Sea
Yurt (daily, during the zoo’s opening hours): How the Wild Horses Regain Their Freedom
Terrace in front of the Education Centre (daily, during the zoo’s opening hours): The Wildlife of Kenya

1. 2. (Sun) World Wetlands Day Celebration
Discover animals that inhabit wetlands in the Czech Republic as well as around the world.

Commented feedings and animal talks:

• 10:15 am Talapoin feeding (Dja Reserve)
• 10:45 am Archerfish feeding (Indonesian Jungle)
• 12:00 pm Talk at the Bird Wetlands
• 12:45 pm Talk on European pond turtles (Giant Tortoise House)
• 1:00 pm Hippo feeding (Hippo House)
• 2:00 pm Talk on Caribbean and Chilean flamingos (Water World and Monkey Islands)
• 2:30 pm Talk on greater flamingos (Water World and Monkey Islands)
• 3:30 pm Talk on the birds of the Pantanal exhibit (Rákos’ House)

7. 2. (Sat) Reverse the Red Day
Learn about conservation projects coordinated by Prague Zoo that focus on protecting threatened species, and discover which animal species have been saved from extinction thanks to breeding under human care.

Commented feedings and animal talks:

• 10:00 am European bison feeding (Plains)
• 10:30 am Gorilla feeding (Mefou Centre)
• 11:00 am Talk on Egyptian vultures (Vulture exhibit by the southern entrance)
• 12:30 pm Talk on Przewalski’s horses (Gobi)
• 1:00 pm Talk on addaxes (Across the Continents)
• 2:30 pm Tasmanian devil feeding (Darwin Crater)
• 3:00 pm Gorilla feeding (Dja Reserve)
• 3:30 pm Talk on gharials (Chambal)

7. 2. (Sat) ZooSchool for Adults: How a Zoo Works
Zoos are popular institutions, yet only few visitors have a clear idea of how a zoo actually operates. This course offers a behind-the-scenes look at the workings of a zoo, gives participants the opportunity to try out a variety of professions essential to its operation, and explains the main mission of modern zoological gardens.

Advance booking required.

8. 2. (Sun) Turtle Keepers’ Day
Do not miss a unique series of engaging lectures, a popular keepers’ advice centre, and personal encounters with the zoo’s fascinating turtle and tortoise residents. The central theme of this special turtle-focused event will be wetlands—diverse, vibrant ecosystem full of unique species and natural wonders.

Education Centre:

• 9:30 am – 3:30 pm Talks on turtles and tortoises

Commented feedings and animal talks:

• 11:00 am Softshell turtle feeding (Indonesian Jungle)
• 1:00 pm Aldabra and Galápagos giant tortoises feeding (Giant Tortoise House)
• 1:30 pm Talk on Forsten’s tortoises (Giant Tortoise House)
• 2:00 pm Talk on turtles and tortoises (Feline and Reptile House)
• 3:30 pm Talk on turtles (Chambal)

14. 2. (Sat) Valentine’s Day at Prague Zoo
Valentine’s Day commented feedings and animal talks focus on courtship in the animal kingdom.

Commented feedings and animal talks:

• 10:30 am Aardvark feeding (African House
• 10:30 am Eastern grey kangaroo and red-necked wallaby feeding (Darwin Crater)
• 11:00 am Penguin feeding (Penguin House)
• 11:00 am Talk on giraffes (African House)
• 12:30 pm Talk on Przewalski’s horses (Gobi)
• 1:00 pm Talk on elephants (Elephant Valley)
• 1:00 pm Giant tortoise feeding (Giant Tortoise House)
• 1:30 pm Crocodile monitor feeding (Giant Tortoise House)
• 2:00 pm Reptile feeding (Feline and Reptile House)
• 2:00 pm Wombat feeding (Darwin Crater)
• 2:45 pm Talk on red river hogs (Dja Reserve)
• 3:00 pm Gorilla feeding (Dja Reserve)
• 3:45 pm Pangolin feeding (Indonesian Jungle)

15. 2. (Sun) Masopust Carnival at Prague Zoo
Come and enjoy a day full of joy and music in the unique setting of Prague Zoo, and travel back with us to a time when Masopust (the local version of Mardi Gras) marked the end of winter and the beginning of merrymaking. Visitors can look forward to creative workshops, face painting, and, as the highlight of the programme, a traditional Masopust parade. Children under 15 who arrive at the zoo wearing a costume or a mask are entitled to admission for CZK 1.*

• 10:00 am – 1:30 pm Creative workshop: Make your own mask (Education Centre)
• 10:00 am – 1.00 pm Face painting (Education Centre)
• 1:30 pm Masopust parade: departing from the Education Centre

* Admission for CZK 1 is available only to visitors under 15 wearing a full Masopust costume.

The following do qualify as a full Masopust costume:

• mask covering the entire face (e.g. paper, plastic, fabric, or face-painted masks)
  
• a full-body costume or a costume that significantly alters the wearer’s appearance

The following do not qualify as a full Masopust costume:

• headbands, hats, caps, or animal ears worn on their own
  
• minor accessories (e.g. stickers, simple make-up that does not cover the face)
  
• regular clothing supplemented with a single costume element

16. 2. (Mon) ZooSchool for Children Aged 8–11: The Frozen North
Deeply sub-zero temperatures and frozen ground where only the hardiest plants can grow. This may not sound like paradise to us, but form some animal species such environments are ideal. Join us to meet these remarkable specialists and discover the adaptations that enable them to survive in such extreme conditions.

Advance booking required.

17. 2. (Tue) ZooSchool for Children Aged 11–15: The Frozen North
Deeply sub-zero temperatures and frozen ground where only the hardiest plants can grow. This may not sound like paradise to us, but form some animal species such environments are ideal. Join us to meet these remarkable specialists and discover the adaptations that enable them to survive in such extreme conditions.

Advance booking required.

21. 2. (Sat) World Pangolin Day
Meet the mysterious pangolins! Discover how they live, why they are among the most threatened animals on the planet, and how Prague Zoo helps to protect them.

Programme in the Indonesian Jungle house:

• 9:30 am and 3:30 pm Pangolin feeding
• 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Educational station: Pangolins Everywhere. Games and quizzes for children and adults alike

21. 2. (Sat) ZooSchool for Families: The Frozen North
Deeply sub-zero temperatures and frozen ground where only the hardiest plants can grow. This may not sound like paradise to us, but form some animal species such environments are ideal. Join us to meet these remarkable specialists and discover the adaptations that enable them to survive in such extreme conditions.

Advance booking required.

23. 2. (Mon) ZooSchool for Children Aged 8–11: Feeding is a Science
Do you know how to feed Komodo dragons properly? Or how many kilograms of carrots are used at the zoo every day? At this ZooSchool, you will learn what kinds of food zoo animals are fed and how challenging it can be to meet the needs of dietary specialists.

Advance booking required.

24. 2. (Tue) ZooSchool for Children Aged 11–15: Feeding is a Science
Do you know how to feed Komodo dragons properly? Or how many kilograms of carrots are used at the zoo every day? At this ZooSchool, you will learn what kinds of food zoo animals are fed and how challenging it can be to meet the needs of dietary specialists.

Advance booking required.

28. 2. (Sat) International Polar Bear Day Celebration
Discover the fascinating world of polar bears and take a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming Arctic exhibition project.

Program at the Polar Bears exhibit:

• 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm Polar bear talks
• 1:00 pm Giving an enrichment item to the bears
• 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Arctic activity station