Barcelona City Zoo

I heard that the Barcelona City Zoo is one of the biggest city zoos in the world, so I decided I had to go.

I’m not sure why I always fall for the “most x in the x” thing. It always gets me.

While I was amazed and entertained by the varieties of birds just hanging out together and I loved seeing the kangaroos, maybe the zoo isn’t the most fun place for a sensitive solo traveler.

I watched in dismay while a family stood right next to the multi-language “no feeding the hippo” sign, breaking off and throwing pieces of baguette into the hippo’s open mouth. I couldn’t stop myself and told them to stop (in my horrible broken Spanish).

People, don’t feed your people food to animals at the zoo / in nature / etc! It can create animal aggression and also hurt their tummies.

After the hippo confrontation, I ate an “American hot dog” at the food court area and watched huge and elegant peacocks roam free.

Something funny has happened to the peacocks there. People feed them (despite the signs asking them not to) so the peacocks are a bit food aggressive with small children.

The mom of the toddler being peacock-stalked certainly did not find this amusing. Maybe “funny” is the wrong word here.

The Barcelona City Zoo is located near the beach, as is the aquarium. I’ve heard the aquarium is considered a better visit by the locals. I enjoyed the zoo, but would probably send friends to the aquarium if asked.