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Aim of WZD is to create the most complete online database of the world's
zoological gardens and similar establishments. This database does not
only serve as a mere list, but it have to offers also textual and visual
information. In WZD database, there will be shown on page of each zoo
(to the extent possible and availability) in addition to basic data also
texts, photos, maps, images, files or short video from our sources and
from the official printed materials or website too.
There are certainly dozens of lists of zoos, but no it is not
and neither is close to completeness. So the tendency of WZD will be to
make the most comprehensive survey, supplemented by closed zoological
gardens. Basic texts will be written in bilingual (Czech and English),
individual contributions will be in various languages, which will be
available. Some of the main parties of this site will be translated into
other languages and shown like a links in the page "Multilingual". For
greater clarity pages will be structured in logical geographical
sequence, i.e.. world ► continent ► country ► lesser administrative unit
(if necessary) ► zoo. Everything will be solved through simple clickable
maps (with a bubble information). Maps of the continents are still
accompanied by alphabetical list of countries with flags. Every zoo
sites will have the same structure and identical items. For the sake of
greater multilingual usability all items will be without titles,
provided only understandable icons (with bubble help).
To make a database like this is very difficult for several
reasons. Partly it is about a great time demandingness, enhanced by the
fact that this is a non-profitable activity. And partly there are
factual issues. The information is often very inaccessible (especially
information from less advanced countries and non Roman characters using
countries). And it has also the snag, which looks trivial at first
glance - what is zoo actually ...?!
Sure, everyone knows what is the Zoo, fewer people would be
able to define the zoo and hardly anybody can identify exact limits. It
is not so much about what is the zoo, but rather, what is still the zoo
and what is not. The concept of the zoo, also including other animal
equipments (aquariums, terrariums, bird parks, etc.) is very wide and
probably no rules limits it absolutely accurately. Around of all the
world there are many types of equipment used for breeding and keeping of
animals - in addition to the zoo, they are also facilities, which
(although they are named otherwise) are de facto zoo or "different zoo".
But how far goes down the limit of the concept? Where the zoo ends and
begin something else ...? The decisive factor in most countries is to
satisfy certain criteria and obtain licenses. However, for the purposes
of WZD should not be relevant, whether it is in the Zoo 10 or 100
species of animals, whether it is open year round, seasonally or just in
a few days a year, or whether it shows some research activities, etc.
Therefore, we draw up the detailed rules, under which the equipment
belongs to the database or not.
In
order not to be the inclusion zoo in the database too confusing, we have
established 3 category of zoos: A - classic zoos, aquariums, bird parks,
etc;
 B - special establishment for one or very few species of animals
and establishment not open to the public; C - establishments primarily
intended for any other purpose than for breeding of animals. The rules
and categories are described on a separate page "The Rules of the List".
We believe that the database will find its users and that you
will contribute for its entireness and recency. Some specific things how
you can help us is written on the page "How you can help". Thank you.
Project WZD is managed by Roman Hynek, ZOO Chleby. |
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