Zoologische Garten Berlin in Berlin

The Berlin Zoo, being Germany’s first zoo and also the 9th oldest in Europe, is also one of the most visited sights in the German capital and one of Germany’s largest zoos, with 35 hectares of land. It’s situated in the heart of the capital, in the neighbourhood of Tiergarten Park (Zoo) nowadays, but initially it was a bit outside the city, in fact outside of the city walls. Because of its inappropriate location, the Berlin Zoo didn’t develop very fast in its first years of existence, but is currently the world’s richest zoo in matters of species quantity with its more than 14,000 animals of 1,500 species. Those animals range from savannah antelopes to sea creatures housed in the huge aquarium. The Berlin Zoo also plays the role of breeder for many rare and endangered species.

Not until 1844 did Germany have its own proper zoological garden, but a few years earlier the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm IV founded a private menagerie on Peacock Island (Pfaueninsel). Persuaded by figures like Humboldt, Lichtenstein and Peter Lenne to open a real zoo, the king transferred most of the animals to the new site, which was part of an old aviary not far from the original private zoo. Thus, after only three years of construction, the Berlin Zoo was officially inaugurated in August 1844. The first full-time manager was Dr. Heinrich Bodinus, who created many building projects in the zoo. Some of these imposing structures are the Antelope House, built in 1871, followed by the Elephant House with its Indian-style architecture, the Ostrich House in the Egyptian style, as well as the heavily ornamented Elephant Gates. A restaurant and some music kiosks were also added during this period.

Later on, under Dr. Ludwig Heck’s management starting from 1888, the Berlin Zoo experienced a time of flourishing of the animal breeding, as their numbers soon grew considerably. The whole undertaking was topped off by the inauguration of the aquarium in 1913, a three-floor building housing numerous water animals. Designed by renowned zoologist Dr. Heinroth, the aquarium gave shelter not only to salt and clear-water fish, but also to various amphibians, reptiles and even invertebrates. The history of the Berlin Zoo was marked with a dark spot during the destructive years of the two World Wars. Many of the zoo’s facilities were either severely damaged or completely destroyed by bombs, especially during the World War II when the zoo barely had any surviving animals. The postwar period was no easier for the zoo’s managers, who succeeded in the first stages of reconstruction despite all the hardships the situation presented.

Reconstruction was nevertheless finished, thanks to both officials’ and citizens’ financial and moral help. The Berlin Zoo is nowadays the world’s largest zoo in terms of animal variety. After the reunification of Germany, Berlin suddenly had two zoos: the Berlin Zoo in the centre and Tierpark Berlin in the Friedrichsfelde district, so a collaboration programme was started promoting both zoos with their unique character. As a result, the united zoos in the reunited city presently compose the world’s richest collection of living creatures, far beyond compare with any other animal-keeping undertaking.