Wild virtual animals at the Metalli Centre

The Hologram Zoo at the Metalli Centre in Zug has now been open for around five weeks. Apart from one in Copenhagen, it is the only one in Europe. The tours are designed to offer impressive insights into foreign worlds. We have taken a closer look.
 

You can attend a Japanese cherry blossom festival and dance surrounded by thousands of falling pink cherry blossom petals, watch colourful koi carp (which can live for over 200 years) swimming or see pandas leisurely eating bamboo – all this is now possible in the city of Zug in around 40 minutes.

No, Zug is not getting a neighbourhood called Little Asia. Instead, for a few weeks now, it has been the only city in Europe besides Copenhagen to have a so-called Hologram Zoo. The premises are located on the upper floor of the Metalli Centre and can be reached via the staircase or lift – on the same floor as the Migros Club School.

The idea originally came from Australia. Laser beamers are used to project digital animal shows and event-related shows onto the partition walls. According to Henri Oeuvray, who saw the attraction in Brisbane and secured the rights for Switzerland, 84 people per hour can pass through the various halls. 3D glasses are provided for the shows, and visitors can currently choose between tours focusing on topics such as the continents of Asia and Africa, the Age of Dnosaurs, or Outer Space.

For this experience, you should definitely enjoy walking, be patient if things don't move quickly due to the crowds, and not be easily frightened. In addition to impressive armies of fireflies at night, you may encounter a growling tiger, a snow monkey jumping loudly out of a hot spring or a rooster jumping out at you unexpectedly during the Asia tour. The three-dimensional holograms made of laser light inevitably make it seem as if the life-size animals are jumping out of the screen at you.

Unlike a traditional zoo, however, you can walk through the holograms because they are not physical, even though they look very real and behave in a lifelike way. A significant advantage here is clearly sustainability, as no real animals need to be kept, which could potentially cause them suffering. The holographic experiences are therefore an interesting alternative to real zoos.

Images of animals are projected in the Hologram Zoo        Photo provided
A water lily seems within reach in the Hologram Zoo. But without the 3D glasses, you can only see it blurred     Photo: Tijana Nikolic
High up in the air with a Japanese crane. In Japan, this is considered a symbol of longevity, happiness, loyalty and peace        Photo: Tijana Nikolic
Cuddling with a triceratops. You can do that too at the hologram zoo   Photo: Fotobox Hologram Zoo in Zug
The game corner at the Hologram Zoo   Photo: Matthias Jurt

Not for the faint-hearted
At the end of the Asia show, there are loud flashes of lightning and a kind of thunderstorm, from which an eerie and equally loud dragon emerges. This may be a little too much for very young visitors. During a visit, several parents were seen with their somewhat frightened children. This is something to consider before visiting, as the prices are about the same as for a real visit to the zoo: CHF 28.00 for adults and CHF 20.00 for children.

For this amount, you can attend one of the shows and, at the end of the tour, take and download photos and videos in a recording box as a souvenir.

The ‘Rainforest Restaurant’, which also displays impressive holograms and seats 48 people, is a great place to take a break after the hologram experience. Although no food is served there, it does have two snack machines for refreshments.
Bringing your own food is not permitted. Next to it is a game corner with various rooms and lots of exciting games for young and old, which are not included in the price however. So it's fair to say that the Hologram Zoo is not for those on a tight budget.

According to Henri Oeuvray, the shows have been well attended so far, especially during the school holidays. Outside of the holidays, the premises are closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. ‘We have already received several enquiries for corporate events, and could well imagine introducing offers for schools in the future,’ he concludes.

Further information and booking information can be found at:
 www.hologramzoo.ch.