Sofia Zoo marmoset, and macaques. The predator sector houses big cats, bears and small predators, including lions, tigers, leopards, pumas and brown bears. In January 2011 the zoo received eight Humboldt penguins on loan from Germany. The penguins are on loan for about 18 months, after which they will be returned, with any offspring to stay at the zoo. The zoo has some 1,400 individual birds representing 192 species. Waterbirds are housed in a lake, and Imperial eagles, Griffon vultures, Egyptian vultures and buzzards in a large walk-through aviary. Other species of birds at the zoo include ostriches, Silver pheasants, peacocks, flamingos,
Essehof Zoo species from rare domestic animals to animals from Africa, Australia and South America. Several of the animals include racka, kangaroo, raccoon, zebra, watussi cattle, meerkats, nutria and gibbon. In addition to scheduled feedings, there is a petting zoo where visitors can get close with the animals. Food can also be purchased to feed the animals. Essehof Zoo is part of several German and international zoo and animal associations. It is part of the (German Zoo Society) and Deutscher-Wildgehege-Verband (German Game Preserve). At an international level, it is part of the WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums). Essehof Zoo Essehof