Tierpark Berlin

Tierpark Berlin is one of two zoos in Berlin, Germany. It opened in 1955 and is located in Friedrichsfelde, on the land where Friedrichsfelde Palace once stood. The park is very big, covering 160 hectares, or about 400 acres, and has many animals to see.

By the end of 2013, the zoo had more than 7,000 animals from over 800 different species. One special part of the zoo is called the Bärenschaufenster, or Bear Show Window, where visitors can see American black bears very close.

Tierpark Berlin belongs to a group known as the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria. The zoo works on about 120 breeding programs. It helps protect animals in danger by keeping careful records and supporting efforts to bring some animals back to places where they used to live. The park also helps projects that protect natural homes for animals around the world.

History

Tierpark Berlin opened in 1955 as a zoo in East Berlin. It was made so people could visit animals because the famous Berlin Zoological Garden was far away in West Berlin. The zoo began with bear areas that had natural rocks and artificial waterfalls, plus big paddocks for animals like camels and bison.

Over time, the zoo added many new exhibits. These included aviaries and buildings for many types of animals such as carnivores, ungulates, reptiles, birds, and primates like great apes. A large building for African and Asian elephants and other big animals was finished just before East and West Berlin joined together.

In the 1990s, the zoo replaced old buildings and added new areas for animals from Africa, Asia, and Europe. Recently, it has become known for breeding elephants well. It is one of the few zoos in Western Europe that keeps large groups of hoofed animals, including rare kinds like muskoxen and takin. The zoo has the widest variety of hoofed mammals in Europe.

Statistics

Tierpark Berlin is a big zoo in Germany. It has many animals from all over the world. The zoo is very popular and welcomes lots of visitors each year.

The park covers a large area, allowing animals plenty of space to live. It is known for taking good care of its animals and helping to protect some species.

Directors

The first director of the Tierpark Berlin-Friedrichsfelde from 1955 to 1990 was Heinrich Dathe. He was a famous scientist. After him, Bernhard Blaszkiewitz took over as director.