Givskud Zoo
 Lions in Givskud Zoo | |
| Date opened | August 12, 1969 |
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| Location | Givskud, Denmark |
| Coordinates | 55°48′42″N 9°21′7″E / 55.81167°N 9.35194°ECoordinates: 55°48′42″N 9°21′7″E / 55.81167°N 9.35194°E |
| Number of species | About 70[1] |
| Annual visitors | 327,000 (2011)[2] |
| Website | www.givskudzoo.dk |
Givskud Zoo is a zoo and safari park in Givskud, 20 kilometres (12 mi) north west of Vejle in Denmark. The park opened in 1969 under the name of "Løveparken" (the lion park) with lions as the only animals. In 1970 elephants arrived and today the park has more than 700 animals representing more than 70 species. The zoo is one of only ten attractions to be awarded 5 stars by the Danish tourist guide Jyllands Attraktioner and receives about 325,000 visitors a year.
Givskud Zoo has been home to several famous animals, among them the white rhino "Brutalis", who was very aggressive towards stable equipment, other rhinos and humans. Eventually he was shipped to the private game reserve Ongava in Namibia, in spite of the fact that he was born in captivity and raised by zoo keepers. He lived in the reserve for 6 years before he died in a territorial battle with another male rhino.
Another famous animal from the park is the silverback Samson, a western lowland gorilla, who has appeared several times on Danish TV.
Givskud Zoo is best known for its large enclosures, which the guests can drive through in their own cars. Some of the most well known and popular animals in the zoo are Asian elephants, white rhinos, gorillas, chimpanzees, and lions. The lion pride in the park is the largest pride in Europe.[citation needed]
References
- ↑ Giskud Zoo: Endangered Species. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
- ↑ Giskud Zoo: Virksomheden. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
External links
Media related to Givskud Zoo at Wikimedia Commons- Official website
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