A massive mega birdhouse planned by a Swiss zoo is to go ahead after fed-up neighbours abandoned their protests.
Plans had been put on hold after people living next to Zurich Zoo sued trying to halt the 11,000-square-metre (118,403 square feet) ‘Pantanal Voliere’ aviary in 2021.
Now, after losing a series of planning appeals, the demonstrators have told the zoo they won’t take an appeal to Switzerland’s Federal Administration Court.
Initially scheduled to be opened in 2025, the legal battle has delayed the new enclosure until 2028.
Experts say the new enclosure will replicate wetlands in South America and as well as hosting endangered birds but also anteaters, tapirs and tamarins.
Zoo Director Severin Dressen told local media on 15th December: “Generally, I’m convinced we’ve always had the backing of 99.9 per cent of our neighbours.
“It is obvious that there can never be a support rate of 100 per cent. There will always be different opinions.
“The green lights are immensely positive news. The construction of ‘Pantanal Voliere’ is another milestone for Zurich Zoo as a modern centre for the protection of nature.”
He added: “This news has been a relief. Such a step would have delayed the project for many further years.
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“Time is running out. If we do not take action, the extinction of species continues. Several types of animals would disappear from our planet forever.”
The complainants, who were not named in local media, had claimed the zoo’s building application was invalid because of procedural errors.
Planners say the aviary will be 35 metres (115 feet) high and almost a third bigger than a Premier League football pitch.
Its name comes from Pantanal, one of the largest tropical wetlands in the world straddling Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia.
Director Dressen explained: “By strolling through the aviary, visitors will become a part of the Pantanal community.
“The aviary will enable them to be on eye level with the birds and experience biodiversity.”
Zurich Zoo set on a wooded hill overlooking Lake Zurich, opened in 1929 and is the third-oldest zoo in Switzerland.
It currently features 6,000 animals of 350 different species.
In 2022, the zoo registered around 1.38 million visitors.
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