European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 22, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                European my. By the stars and stripes a Short distance from the Central train station in Antwerp Belgium is the Antwerp zoo the largest in the Belgium Netherlands Luxembourg area. The zoo which is preparing for its 150th birthday in 1993, covers nearly 25 acres and has about 4,800 animals and 900 species. It has an attractive setting with Many of the animals housed in buildings that have been declared National landmarks and Are protected by the government. One of the biggest attractions is the zoo s Dolphin atrium. Shows Are performed there daily a up to six during the summer twice during the Winter. There is no additional charge for these shows which normally draw Large crowds. Zoo officials recommend those wanting Good seats should show up 15 minutes earlier than the posted Showtime. Other features include a Large airy Monkey House a not Urania with nocturnal Birds and animals the egyptian Temple where animals from the Asia and Africa roam and a children s zoo and playground. About 20 Miles South of Antwerp in Mechelene is the plan Kendall zoological Park which has been part of the zoo since 1956. Its 400 acres were originally used As a Breeding Park for endangered species but have now become a nature Reserve and exhibition area. It has about 1,000 animals and is open year round. Copenhagen the zoo in Copenhagen Denmark is particularly proud of its elephant collection. Six times babies have been born Here a and a seventh is due around Christmas giving the zoo one of the Best Breeding rates for elephants in the world. Apparently elephants Aren t the Only animals that reproduce Well there. During each of the last two years the zoo has had baby anteaters born. That s a pretty Good record according to a zoo spokesman since each year Only three or four Are born in Captivity worldwide. The zoo founded in 1859, is spread out Over 28 acres and has around 1,500 animals in 284 species. One of its biggest attractions is its children s zoo. This is More than a petting zoo with playground equipment. It includes a variety of features that let children learn about animals while having a Good time. There is a race course that children can run comparing their relative Speed to size with that of other animals including frogs and Gazelles. Nearby a mask shaped like a Rabbit s head sits on a Post. Inside the mask s ears Are speakers that amplify noise and Eye  that look out on opposite sides of the head showing How a Rabbit hears and sees. There is also an underground Maze designed As a Rabbit Warren that children can crawl through. Above ground is a Hill where rabbits live. It has several openings covered with raised plastic that humans standing inside can stick their Heads in an peer out at the cult creatures. Basel the Basel zoo was of a a nod in 1874 with the purpose of bringing native animals closer to the Switzerland s City dwellers. But gradually the collection expanded to include specimens from the rest of the world. 1 same a Panda has a snack at the Madrid zoo where it and its counterpart Are the top attraction. A amps file the zoo has kept to the idea of limiting its. Collection to animals that can live in groups within the confines of a zoo. Its 32-plus acre Park houses 494 mammals in 70 species and includes a renowned vivarium that holds enough reptiles and fish to bring the total animal population to around 4,700. Among the zoo s biggest attractions a family of Indian Rhinoceros a the zoo was the first to have babies born in Captivity pygmy Hippopotamus is including the most Young born at any zoo gorillas crab eating macaque Flamingo and Bald cheeked ibis. 1 the zoo is designed to make the enclosures look As natural As possible with restraints hidden by Trees Small Hills and pits. A zoo official said this makes it possible for visitors to Quot discover the animals and not just Quot see them. Barcelona visitors to the zoo in Barcelona Spain could find themselves face to face with a White Gorilla a and some Day two or three. The zoo proudly displays 27-year-old Snowflake the Only White Gorilla in the world. Sn6wflake is the Mother of six Black gorillas All carriers of the recessive Gene that causes some of the animals to have Creme coloured fur. Should one of Snowflake s two males impregnate one of her four females the resulting offspring has a 25 percent Chance of being one of the rare gorillas. The zoo or zoo Logico de Barcelona also is Home to Ulysses one of three killer whales in Europe. The 4-ton, 15-foot whale performs daily with its Trainer. Other rarities in the zoo of 7,050 animals include three Long nosed african crocodiles and two brazilian monkeys or  Madrid it s a Small world at the Madrid zoo. The 49-acre Park in Spain s capital is divided into four sections a America Australia Europe Africa and Asia. Visitors will find Bison from the great Plains a Block from kangaroos from the Outback african giraffes a Block from asian pandas. Those pandas or Panda Gigantes Are the zoo s Pride. The pandas presented by the government of China in 1978, Are two of seven displayed in zoos throughout the world. Two other pandas a the Panda Rojos a Are also among the zoo s favorite Fauna. But these animals Are far from bears. The near extinct asian species which lives Only in Mountain top altitudes appears to be a Cross Between a Fox and amp Racoon. The Madrid Park built in 1972, lags behind Many other european zoos with its 3,000 animals but the Park makes up for it with its Snake House its daily Dolphin shows and the modern living areas for its animals. Cairo granted the Cairo zoo is not in Europe but Egypt is a popular travel destination for Many americans. And a visit to the zoo can be an interesting experience. Americans May feel like the featured Homo Sapiens exhibit As they walk through this Green and Shady Retreat that is frequented mostly by the locals. Don t be surprised if the egyptians turn away from the monkeys they were looking at and begin staring at you. Although the zoo is Only a Short taxi ride from the Center of Toyn few tourists take time away from the pyramids and museums to Check it out. While the animal exhibits Are nothing out of the Ordinary the zoo is a great place to go to escape the stifling heat and the Hustle and Bustle of downtown Cairo. The zoo established in 1890, is the largest in Africa. It contains More than 6,000 Birds and animals and More than 3,000 types most of them rare specimens. Among its special features Are orangutans chimps tropical reptiles and a rare Cactus collection. Contributing to this Story staff writers Brent Stinski David Tarrant Chuck Roberts and John Taylor in Darmstadt Germany. S stripes Magazine August 22, 1991