ZLÍN Zoo in Lešná has joined an initiative of the Union of Czech and Slovak Zoological Gardens (UCSZ) by preparing a limited series of visitor passports. Holders of the passports and their families have free entry to 19 Czech and Slovak zoos, for example in Prague, Olomouc, Dvúr Králové nad Labem, Plzeň, as well as in Bratislava, Ivo Klika, the head of the Zlín zoo told the ČTK newswire.
The complex in Lešná belongs among the most visited zoos in the Czech Republic with 490,000 patrons last year. So the need to increase its own visitors was not the zoo’s main reason for issuing the passports. “We looked for ways to improve the UCSZ budget and this offer seemed interesting also for visitors,” Klika explained. The passport is valid for one year and costs 1,200 Czech crowns (about €46.50). With a passport, its owner can go to any of the participating zoos along with one other adult and two children without paying any additional fees. They can visit each zoo up to three times in a year.
After a passport owner has visited at least ten zoos, the last visit will be marked with the stamp of the zoo and the passport will be included in a drawing, with the winner receiving a free passport for the next year, some souvenirs, as well as an invitation to UCSZ’s festive awards ceremony next March at the Prague-Troja Zoo. The winner will also be able to learn more about that zoo’s background and have direct contact with the zoo’s animals. The price for the passport is especially attractive for frequent visitors to zoos in both countries. The zoo passports are available at Zlín zoo from August 12 and will be valid for one year.
