Czech Post issued 4 series of stamps between 2016-2019, one each year, devoted to local zoological gardens (in Czech: Zoologické zahrady). The sheets are similar in design, and have been researched and designed by the same team of people – Libuše Knotková, Jaromír Knotek and Martin Srb. Each series contains 4 stamps, each depicting one or more animals from a local zoos. So far 21 animals from 16 different Czech zoos have been introduced. The stamps are issued in beautifully designed minisheets, including vignettes ands several other animal species depicted on the borders of the minisheets. A fifth series was not announced for 2020, and it is possible the series will be discontinued.
Issue I – 2016
The first issue of 2016 presents four zoological gardens, from Prague, Jilhava, Dvůr Králové nad Labem, and Olomouc. We can see on the stamps the following animal species: Przewalski’s wild horse (Equus ferus przewalskii); the snow leopard (Panthera uncia); the black rhinocerus (Diceros bicornis); the African wilddog (Lycaon pictus); the gemsbok (Oryx Gazella); and the African lion (Panthera leo leo).
Issue II – 2017
With the second series of 2017, animal species from the zoological gardens of Chomutov, Hodonín, Brno and Plzeň are introduced: the European bison (Bison bonasus); the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes); the lion (Panthera leo); the polar bear (Ursus maritimus); the Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis); the blue-spotted tree monitor (Varanus macraei).
Issue III – 2018
In 2018, the zoos of Děčín, Ústí nad Labem, Zlín and Ostrava are being showcased. The folloowing animal species are presented: the brown bear (Ursus arctos); the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus); the African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana); the hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius).
Issue IV – 2019
In its latest release of 2019, the Czech zoological garden series pays tribute to the zoos of Liberec, Hluboká nad Vltavou, Vyškov and Protivín. The following species are being introduced: the golden takin (Budorcas taxicolor bedfordi); the spoonbill (Platalea Leucordia); the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra); the sheep (Ovis aries) and the Philippines crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis).
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Stamps featured in post: 16; Period: contemporary (2016-2019); Pricing: low and moderate; Michel Catalog no’s and prices: Czech Republic Mi892-895 – 8EUR; Mi934-937 – 8.3EUR; Mi990-993 – 10EUR; Mi1036-1039 – 10EUR Availability: still readily available in online shops, a whole collection is harder to assemble.
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