At the Prague Zoo, construction will begin on a new pavilion for exotic birds

Prague - In the Prague Zoo, work will soon begin on the stabilization of the slope for the new pavilion of exotic birds. The building will be named after the patron and significant bird breeder Stanislav Rákos, whose donation made its construction possible. The Rákos Pavilion is expected to open in 2016, with costs including interior and slope security estimated at 34.5 million Czech crowns including VAT. Seven million of this will be covered by European subsidies.

Palm Cockatoo

    The patron Rákos donated ten million crowns to the Prague Zoo in 2012 specifically for the purpose of building an exhibition for large parrots. After his death in the autumn of the same year, the zoo inherited shares in his properties. "Coincidentally, at the time we began preparing the project for the new pavilion of exotic birds, I met Mr. Rákos, who generously decided to support its construction. We are immensely indebted to him," commented the patron's contribution by the director of the Prague Zoo, Miroslav Bobek.
    The Rákos Pavilion will consist of two outdoor aviaries and a number of indoor exhibits. "Approximately 30 species of exotic birds will be on display, ranging from palm cockatoos, some of the largest parrots in the world, to grey-headed amazons and Jamaican parrots, as well as our very rare inhabitants - cobalt macaws. We are the only zoo in continental Europe breeding them," stated the zoological deputy Jaroslav Šimek. The pavilion will be partially embedded in the slope, on which a vineyard will later be created.
    In 2016, alongside this pavilion, a new gorilla pavilion is also expected to open for 121 million crowns. It will be built in the upper part of the garden, thus avoiding the risk of potential floods, unlike the current one.