May the 1st at ZOO Ostrava

Publikováno: 29.4.2025

May the 1st will bring a rich program to the visitors of the Ostrava Zoo. The holiday will be dedicated to endangered Vietnamese species.

Take advantage of the blooming trees

"Vietnamazing is the name of the campaign of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which for the second year now presents the unique and at the same time endangered nature of Vietnam. Zoos from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, including Ostrava Zoo, are also participating in the campaign. On May 1, visitors of all ages can join the exercise challenge, taste Vietnamese specialties, watch dance performances and learn interesting facts about Vietnam. Couples in love can also use one of the blooming trees for a traditional May Day kiss on the zoo grounds," informs the zoo's spokesperson Šárka Nováková.

Turtle position and pheasant push-ups

The May Day program at the Ostrava Zoo will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Activities for young and old visitors were prepared by zoo staff, in cooperation with three Moravian-Silesian schools (Bohumín-Záblatí Elementary School, Školská Karviná Elementary School and Raškovice Elementary School and Kindergarten). This year, other organizations and institutions have also joined in – Fajn Kroužky, which helps with the exercise challenge, and the Czech-Vietnamese Educational Institute, which will take care of the Vietnam part of the program.

Individual activities will take place at various locations on the premises. Special workshops and tasting of Vietnamese dishes will be held throughout the day in the areas under the Evolution Pavilion. Here, those interested can also join the exercise challenge and try out selected exercises – crocodile fight, turtle position and pheasant push-ups. We will also announce the winners of the school round of the exercise challenge.

Presentation of the mossy frog

Twice during the day, people can look forward to dance demonstrations, a lecture or a tasting of traditional Vietnamese tea at other locations. At 10:30, a guided meeting will take place in the Temple of Gibbons (Vadtha ni), where, among other things, a new species at Ostrava Zoo will be introduced - a representative of the endangered group of so-called moss frogs, the horned scaly frog. Five individuals of this remarkable amphibian inhabit the aquaterrarium together with a pair of Vietnamese crocodiles and a flock of Chinese cardinals.

Protecting unique species from extinction

The goal of the campaign, which will last for two years (2024–2025), is to introduce visitors to the unique biodiversity of Vietnamese nature and the importance of zoos in saving endangered species. Vietnamese nature is characterized by a large number of endemic species, meaning that these species are not located anywhere else in the world. Therefore, these unique species need to be protected from complete disappearance from the planet. Five crowns from the entrance fee contributes to the protection of rare species program, so every visitor of ZOO Ostrava is helping. The program supports four rescue projects implemented directly in Vietnam. More information can be found at the ZOO Ostrava website.

Nine flagship species

Vietnamese nature is threatened mainly by loss of natural habitat and poaching. Nine flagship species were selected as part of the campaign, which help to draw attention to the uniqueness and vulnerability of the area. These species are: white-cheeked gibbon, Edwards' pheasant, Annamite tortoise, Vietnamese crocodile, thorny tree frog, rough-skinned frog, striped sevelia, Cambodian trochomorpha and phasmida.

Ostrava Zoo successfully breeds the first four mentioned species, and now the rough-skinned frog has also been added to the list. During the event, visitors will be able to get to know these species better.