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Tourist Infos -
Rome Zoo
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Rome Zoo
Bioparco
Bioparco (Rome Zoo) is actively involved in scientific and conservation education researches.
In fact, the sort of research carried out in zoos retains a fundamental role especially to study the habits of animals that are difficult if not impossible to monitor in their natural habitat, owing to their elusiveness and shyness. Various researches (university degree theses, doctorates and training projects) are currently under way at Bioparco to determine various eco-etological aspects of the animals housed in Bioparco.
In Bioparco there are 198 animal species that include reptiles, birds, mammals and amphibians, which provide a good opportunity to study animals outside their natural habitat. The research projects are aimed at enhancing acquired scientific knowledge, both to improve the welfare of the animals housed in Bioparco and to help the protection of wild populations, which are often threatened with extinction.
Current research projects are based on the observation of behaviour, on the analysis of diets, on hormonal analyses, on veterinary aspects and other topics.
Some studies are even focused on the wild animals that have access to the park e.g., birds and stray cats. Finally there are also researches on other subjects such as environmental education or marketing.
Would you like to carry out a research project in Bioparco? Fill in the application form stating the type of research that you intend to carry out, your research method, the timing, etc. Mail or fax your application to Settore Scientifico & Culturale del Bioparco, which will evaluate the feasibility of your application.
Research projects currently under way include:
Interaction between two species of Tortoises
Ecology and behaviour of stray cats
The effects of environment enhancement on the welfare of the Mangaby (Cercocebus torquatus lunulatus)
Annual variations in the home range of an urban population of blackbirds (Turdus merula)
Study of the sexual behaviour and of the factors affecting the choice of females in the Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata)
Anaesthesiology of animals in zoos
Reproductive behaviour of the Ocellated Lizard (Timon lepidus)
Infective diseases of carnivores
Echocardiography of wild animals
Niche differentiation between the Titmouse (Parus major) and the Tomtit (Parus caeruleus) in the urban environment
Biometry, moulting strategy and sex determination in the Swift (Apus apus) - In collaboration with LIPU
Selection in relation of the phenotype in an urban population of Pigeon (Columba livia) - In collaboration with LIPU
The public's perception of zoos
Communicating Bioparco
Some research projects that were achieved at the former Zoo:
Development of conciliatory behaviour patterns in young Japanese Macaques (Macaca fuscata)
Behaviour in captivity of a bachelor group of Nile Lechwe (Kobus megaceros)
Effects of the mother's sexual activity on the relationship between mother and young offspring in Japanese Macaques(Macaca fuscata)
The distribution of grooming among adult females of Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata)
The social behaviour of Wild Dogs (Lycaon pictus)
Analysis of the hierarchical organisation of males of Nile Lechwe (Kobus megaceros)
Behaviour in Japanese Macaques (Macaca fuscata)
The past
History of Rome Zoo
The Rome zoo has an illustrious history. It was created in 1908 by a group of financial backers who founded a joint-stock company with the aim of creating a place of public entertainment with the exhibition of an impressive collection of animals. In contrast to the modern attitude to zoos, which are now seen as having a scientific purpose, in those early days, zoos were conceived purely as a form of entertainment and the primary objective was that of amusing the public.
The Zoo had an area of 12 hectares and was built in the north side of Villa Borghese; it was inaugurated with huge success on 5 January 1911 in the presence of the then mayor of Rome Nathan.
The Zoo was entirely achieved by Carl Hagenbeck, an enthusiastic trader of animals, and his staff, who had just completed the famous Stellingen Zoo in Hamburg. Considered as the most advanced and spectacular zoo of the day, the Stellingen Zoo had been built according to an innovative principle aimed at removing the bars in zoos so that cages had been replaced by pits. The Rome Zoo was built in the same way and, as a result, it soon became one of the most attractive zoos in Europe outdoing the old-fashioned Paris and Berlin zoos.
This brilliant start was soon to be followed by a gradual decline. An attempt was made to save the zoo by enriching the collection of animals with more and especially rare animals. Various extensions were made and in 1926 a further extension was planned towards the neighbouring deer park. In 1933 the architect Raffaele De Vico began the work on the new area, which would include two major attractions: the big aviary and the reptile house, and was inaugurated in 1935.
Also because of the war, the management of the Zoo became very precarious and its decaying state became more and more evident, despite the fact that whole sectors had been restructured and others entirely rebuilt. In 1970 the reptile house had to be closed because of its state of disrepair. Its renovation was no mean feat: it took 9 years to redesign it and the new facility was finally inaugurated in 1983.
The idea of transforming the zoo into a bio park emerged in 1994. The aims were to come to the rescue of the management of a facility that was forever running at a loss and find a remedy to the lack of financial resources. In 1997 the masterplan of the future facility was made; it was drawn up by the Gilman Foundation, and it contains the guidelines of the future Bioparco. In April 1998, the company Bioparco S.p.A. was formally established jointly funded by the City of Rome 51%, Costa Edutaiment 39%, and Cecchi Gori 10%: a new hope for the recovery of the obsolete zoo.
Our Mission
Bioparco endeavours to become a wide ranging scientific and educational/cultural facility pursuing the mission of Education, Conservation and Research.
A worthy contribution to the safeguard and preservation of endangered animal species, not only through research and reproduction projects but also, and above all, through the cultural enrichment that it will be able to convey to its visitors through accurate information, through conferences, film screenings and seminars.
Bioparco, which has managed the old Zoo since 1998, is a constantly evolving facility that is going to be totally transformed in the coming years. The changes will reflect the state of the art in this sector. Habitual visitors of the zoo will have noticed that a lot has been already achieved in only two years, but a lot remains to be done! Many projects are currently underway for the total renovation of whole areas. The projects follow the recommendations of expert designers of enclosures without bars and meet the animals' needs. In recent decades, in fact, the attitude to the Zoo has undergone a considerable change. Once seen as a living museum and a place where rare animals were collected, lacking a global strategy, and run according to the mistaken idea that it was sufficient to feed the animals, the zoo is now meant to perform an active role in education and conservation.
Estimates show that over 600 million people visit zoos every year, 100 million of which in Europe alone. This simple statistic clearly demonstrates the importance and potential of such a facility as a means of informing the general public and awakening public opinion to environmental issues. Zoos have always fascinated and attracted a highly heterogeneous public, perhaps because they are places where people can have an emotional and direct contact with unusual or even unknown animals, realities and environments. This undoubtedly encourages the beginning of an interest that is likely to grow in time.
By conforming to international standards, Bioparco has also completely changed in the way it is run and the new staff includes a qualified zoological department, with curatorial and veterinary staff; cultural-scientific staff; a communication and public relations department, an administration department, a marketing department, a commercial department and a technical department that interact and collaborate continuously for the good long term administration of Bioparco.
Education
One of Bioparco's main objectives is to teach the general public how to build a different relationship with nature.
The direct observation of the animals is an essential starting point to stimulate public interest in environmental issues. The popularisation of knowledge through the specific educational programmes offered by zoos is essential to keep public interest alive in conservation and in the natural environment.
Bioparco is an important source of information on nature, especially regarding its conservation.
The primary objectives that Bioparco intends to pursue:
Inform visitors on the main biological and environmental concepts;
Raise awareness and perception of the interdependence linking the Human species to other animal and plant species and the rest of the Natural System;
Increase the understanding of the limits beyond which human activity undermines the Natural World;
Provide opportunities for and encouragement to those who are directly involved in the conservation of Nature.
A visit to Bioparco is a chance to see a lot of animals belonging to about 196 Mammal, Bird and Reptile species, living in a botanical setting that is one of the most interesting and attractive in Rome: Villa Borghese.
Conservation
Bioparco is committed to the conservation of animal species threatened with extinction and it collaborates with many national and international institutions.
This commitment is pursued in compliance with the text that was formulated by the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature and its Resources) and adopted by the International WWF: The World Zoo Conservation Strategy.
Bioparco has started collaborations with national environmental associations such as WWF Italy, and LIPU, with which it has carried out programmes for the conservation of Italian birdlife. On the international level, Bioparco participates with a number of species in the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), which aims to encourage reproduction in captivity. It is also involved in the compilation and co-ordination of a stud-book of the Italian wolf, a very important project in that it is the first programme for reproduction in captivity to have been devised and co-ordinated in Italy.
Finally, Bioparco regularly takes in wild animals seized by the authorities for being imported or owned in violation of the Washington Convention (CITES).
Timetable :
28 october - 29 march
9.30 am - 5.00 pm (last entrance at 4.00 pm)
30 march - 26 october
9.30 am - 6.00 pm (last entrance at 5.00 pm)
EXCEPTIONAL VISITING HOURS:
20 April - 28 September 9.30 am - 7.00 pm
(Saturdays, Sundays and holidays)
Last entry 60 mins before closing time.
Prices :
Admission prices:
The admission price includes entertainment & admission to other attractions and activities on saturdays and sundays, a nice tour to the LIPU, and the activities for children.
? 8,50 adults
? 6,50 children (3-12 years incl.), Senior (60+), Disabled companion, Tourist group (for groups of 15 or more people)
Free entrance: Children under 3 years old, Disabled, Over 60s every Wednesday
Passes
Children pass (0-12 years old)
- for three months ? 26
- annual ? 52
These two cards will permit free entrance to the cardholder and an accompanying person.
Senior pass (over 60s):
- annual ? 26
Special reduced tickets: click here
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