Prague Zoo to begin construction of new polar bear pavilion

The Prague Zoo will start building a modern Arctic pavilion for polar bears on January 22. Zoo director Miroslav Bobek signed the contract with contractor Metrostav DIZ for CZK 755 million, well below the initially estimated one billion. Mr. Bobek shared the news on the X network on Tuesday.

The current pavilion, built in 1933, is in disrepair and unsuitable for breeding. The new 8,000-square-metre facility near the Gočár houses will include two enclosures, four pools, visitor facilities, a restaurant, and a backstage area. The zoo, run by Prague City Council, drew 1.4 million visitors last year.

Prague Zoo has bred polar bears since 1932. It was the first zoo globally to raise a polar bear cub artificially in 1942, overcoming difficulties like replicating the unique composition of bear milk.