Seven thousand animals. That’s a lot of creatures. Right here before us stands Tierpark Berlin. A sprawling expanse of 160 hectares. It’s Europe’s largest zoo.
Tierpark Berlin. It wasn’t always this grand. In 1955 it opened its gates. A response to the Berlin Zoo in West Berlin. The Eastern sector needed its own zoo. Its own showcase of wildlife.
The early years saw simple enclosures. Natural rocks formed the backdrop. Artificial waterfalls cascaded down. Camels and bison roamed large paddocks. Old trees offered shade. Canals provided a watery haven. Over the decades though it grew. Aviaries sprung up. Large buildings housed carnivores ungulates reptiles and birds. Even great apes. Elephants from both Africa and Asia were also housed. A massive building for them was ready just before the Berlin Wall fell.
Despite worries about closure in the 1990s the Tierpark thrived. Damaged structures were replaced. New areas were built. Sections dedicated to African ungulates primates and Alpine species were added. But the Tierpark had to let go of some species. The great apes for example.
Today Tierpark Berlin is famous for elephant breeding. It’s one of few zoos in Western Europe with large herds of ungulates. Some are very rare species like muskoxen and takin. The collection of hoofed mammals is said to be Europe’s most diverse. A new master plan though proposes new attractions to boost revenue. Funding for this is still uncertain.
The Tierpark has also seen controversy. Allegations of illegally selling animals for slaughter arose in 2008. The former director also faced criticism for other actions. A polar bear cub born in 2018 had an unfortunate origin. A studbook error led to brother and sister bears having a cub.
But through it all Tierpark Berlin stands. A testament to the power of nature. A treasure trove of biodiversity. A constant source of wonder and discovery. It is a place that combines history conservation and a whole lot of animals. A true gem of Berlin. And this is just the beginning of what we will explore.