Crocodile Zoo, Falster

The Crocodile Zoo (Danish: Krokodille Zoo) is a zoo on the Danish island of Falster. It is located just to the southwest of Gundslevmagle, northeast of Eskilstrup, towards the northern centre of the island. Established in 2000, the zoo has the world's largest collection of crocodilians (crocodiles and relatives) with all 23 existing species (same as St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park).[1][2] This includes the only Orinoco crocodiles outside the Americas, which are part of a breeding program involving US zoos and the Venezuelan government.[1] Their male Nile crocodile Sobek, at more than 5 m (16 ft) long and 600 kg (1,300 lb) in weight, is the largest crocodilian in Europe,[3] and Medusa, a 6.3 m (21 ft) reticulated python, is among the largest snakes in Europe.[4]

Crocodile Zoo
Date openedJune 2000 (2000-06)
LocationGundslevmagle, Falster, Denmark
Coordinates54°51′50″N 11°54′35″E
Websitewww.krokodillezoo.dk

History

Founded by Rene Hedegaard,[5] it is the largest museum of its kind in Europe. Developed in cooperation with Bøgecentret, the museum opened to the public in June 2000.[6]

Exhibits

Although the exterior of the zoo is not striking, located at an old farm in the countryside, its exhibits are more impressive. It provides a good opportunity to see the difference between crocodiles, alligators and all the other species. Crocodiles are inactive most of the time but with so many variants, at least one of them is likely to be active during a visit.[7] A portion of each sold admission ticket is contributed towards conservation projects conducted by the Crocodile Specialist Group.[6] All crocodiles in the zoo come from prior captivity.[6] All the larger crocodiles are housed in well designed surroundings with plants and artificial cliffs which they share with turtles and lizards. The smaller species have spacious terrariums at their disposal, allowing them to be seen close up. Crocodile Zoo participates in several breeding programs, and coordinates the European programs for the black caiman and Philippine crocodile.[8]

The visit starts with the huge Nile crocodiles and the slightly smaller gharials, before proceeding down a long corridor lined with crocodiles on either side. At the far end, there is a pit with large turtles. Around the walls there are smaller terriums with other reptiles such as snakes, including a green anaconda.[6][9] The visit ends in a small tropical house where large alligators can be seen from a footbridge. There are red lories, green iguanas, and marmosets as well as small terrariums for baby crocodiles and alligators.[7]

References
  1. Folketidende: "Zoo har nu alle verdens krokodillearter". (in Danish) Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  2. Sol og Strand: "Krokodille Zoo". Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  3. Barfoed, C.K. (14 May 2015). Dansker redder kæmpe-krokodille fra døden: Nu skal den bo på Falster. (in Danish) TV2 News. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  4. Pedersen, K.M. (18 June 2016). Medusa fra England er kommet til Falster. (in Danish) Folketidende. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  5. Snyder, Trish (24 July 2006). Alligator & Crocodile Rescue: Changing the Future for Endangered Wildlife. Firefly Books. p. 34. ISBN 978-1-55297-920-4. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  6. Kørvel, Henning (September 24, 2012). "Krokodille-Zoo med succes på FALSTER". BT (in Danish). Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  7. "Krokodille Zoo", zoos.dk. (in Danish) Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  8. KrokodilleZoo: Krokodillebevarelse. Archived 2017-04-24 at the Wayback Machine (in Danish) Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  9. DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Denmark: Denmark. Dorling Kindersley Limited. 1 June 2010. p. 167. ISBN 978-1-4053-5311-3. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
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