Packing 9 different habitats into just 10 hectares of space, the Zurich Zoologischer Garten is constantly forging new frontiers in animal conservation and is one of Europe’s best known zoos. From the largest land mammals of Asia to the tuxedoed stars of the Arctic, the 2,200 inhabitants of the zoo hail from the most diverse backgrounds and have all been gathered within a single compound. The screeches of parrots will follow you on your walk as you navigate boardwalks leading through the thick canopies, the bridge suspended 18m above ground. The clean rays of light catching on the wet condensate gathered in droplets on leaves and the sudden spike in temperature mimic the humid heat of Madagascar exactly – the only catch is that the Masoala Tropical Rainforest is completely indoors. At the Zurich Zoologischer Garten, no animal is isolated within its enclosure, the grinning and playful elephants of the Kaeng Krachen standing right beside their many winged companions resting on their tough hide and flapping ears. Long necked with shaggy fur in a curious cross of a deer and a llama, the vicunas are the pride of the zoo with an entire repository and studbook within dedicated to tracking their lineage.