Loro Parque Puerto de la Cruz Tenerife

This is one of the original tourist attractions on Tenerife, located in the island's first holiday resort. From simple beginnings in 1972 as a parrot park (which is what Loro Parque means), it is now an award winning zoological park - an extravaganza of tropical gardens, a dolphinarium and sea life centre, with related attractions and rides. Covering 12.5ha, with over 2,000 palm trees, it's home to a colony of male gorillas for breeding, and has a water zone where the ever popular sea lions and dolphins seem to relish their role as a holiday entertainment. The park's aquarium tunnel, believed to be the longest in the world, is a transparent underwater walkway 18.5m long. As you walk along, sharks slip through the water, just a few centimeters away. There are flamingos, crocodiles, cranes, giant turtles, jaguars, monkeys and a Nocturnal Bat Cave. Another highlight is Planet Penguin. A special effects cinema, Natura Vision, takes you on a trip through other wildlife centers around the world.

Parrots, however, remain an important element of the park. There are over 300 species living here the world's largest collection. The birds are being studied, and the Park is engaged in important breeding and conservation work. While endangered parrot species may be confined, the more common varieties are used in parrot shows several times each day. These feature clever tricks and elaborate entertainments that the parrots have learned to perform.