Work on the investment began in 2018 and included the revitalization of almost half of the zoo. The Orientarium consists of four zones, m.in an exhibition presenting the oceanic world.
The highlight of the complex is an underwater tunnel with a length of 26 meters, which allows you to observe fish and sea creatures passing overhead. It is here that we will see rare species of sharks and rays, such as blackfin reef sharks or eagles.
However, the Orientarium will become a place of life not only for aquatic species, but also for terrestrial ones. What interesting individuals will you be able to meet there?
New species in the Łódź Zoo
A pair of Sumatran orangutans came from Switzerland to the Łódź Zoo. This is a species that has never
been bred before at the Łódź Zoo, so its arrival is a huge challenge.
Another species that will be found in the Orientarium is the biruang, or Malay bear. A male named Somnang came to Łódź from the Netherlands. He was born in 2002 in the wild. Later, the individual fell victim to the animal trade. His name is not accidental – Somnang comes from Cambodia, and his name means "happy, lucky in life". In the Orientarium there is also a pair of gavial crocodiles – Penelope and Kraken. Previously, they stayed in the Czech zoo Dvur Karlove, but due to the lack of
space for raising young, they were moved to Łódź. Interesingly, Kraken is the largest gavial crocodile in Europe – it is over 5 meters long.
A representative of the Indian elephant species also returned to the Łódź Zoo. Currently, the zoo has excellent conditions for breeding elephants. A new individual, Aleksander, came to the Łódź Zoo from Munich.
Endangered species – education and conservation
A large part of the species whose representatives can be found in the new Orientarium is threatened with extinction. That is why the zoo emphasizes the educational function of the project – raising awareness about killing or mutilating animals, as well as the decline of their population.
Gavial crocodiles are killed for skin and meat, and their eggs often end up on the plate. Another problem is the disappearing natural habitat of crocodiles – drying swamps and clearing rainforests.
Biruang is a species also at risk of extinction – specialists note a decrease in the number of its representatives in nature, mainly due to habitat loss and poaching. Some parts of the body of bears are used in Chinese folk medicine. Poachers kill these animals to obtain a gallbladder and claws.
Sumatran orangutans, on the other hand, are a critically endangered species. In recent decades, its numbers have fallen by about 80%, mainly due to the felling of forests for future oil palm plantations. Establishing large plantations involves the complete felling of trees growing naturally in a given area.
The islands of Borneo and Sumatra are of the greatest importance for palm oil. These are the last places on our planet inhabited by orangutans. The Łódź Zoo begins breeding this species and joins in supporting its conservation. Tenants of catering establishments in the Orientarium are also prohibited from using palm oil.
Orientarium and nature conservation mission
In addition to providing visitors with an attractive space, the function of the Łódź Orientarium is also nature conservation. This task is carried out m.in by breeding endangered species, conducting scientific research, social education or animal protection in the place of their natural occurrence. The breeding of endangered species is supported by international programs in which the Łódź Zoo participates.
The Orientarium will be available at the end of March 2022. Ticket prices and detailed information are available on the website of the Łódź Zoo: <link https://www.zoo.lodz.pl/orientarium/>www.zoo.lodz.pl/orientarium/</link>.