Ever wondered where Karlsruhe’s gentle giants reside? It’s here at the Dickhäuterhaus. This building houses some of the zoo’s largest residents. Specifically it’s home to the zoo’s hippos and elephants.
The Dickhäuterhaus provides a comfortable habitat for these incredible animals. “Dickhäuter” translates to “thick-skinned animals”. This refers to the elephants and hippos. The name is quite fitting for this building.
Let’s talk about the residents of the Dickhäuterhaus. The zoo is home to several Asian elephants. Jenny was born in Myanmar in 1983. She had a career in the Staatszirkus DDR from 1991 to 1999. Before coming to Karlsruhe, she lived in other zoos. Jenny arrived in Karlsruhe on November 20, 2009.
Saida was born in Asia around 1973. She also lived at Tierpark Hagenbeck in Hamburg. She then moved to Leipzig Zoo before arriving in Karlsruhe on October 12, 2021.
Salvāna also resides here. She was born in Hamburg on July 1, 1996. Her mother is Saida. Salvana lived in Leipzig before coming to Karlsruhe on June 18, 2024.
The Dickhäuterhaus isn’t just for elephants. You can also find the zoo’s Zwergflamingos here. There is also a family of adorable hippos. Platsch and Kathy are the proud parents of Karl Wilhelm. He was born on June 17, 2015. Visitors love watching him play.
Before today, the elephant Nanda lived here. Born around 1967, she arrived in Karlsruhe in 2016. Sadly she had to be euthanized on August 11, 2021. She suffered from age-related issues.
Rani also lived here. Born around 1955, she had been in Karlsruhe since 1957. She passed away on February 23, 2019, at the age of 63.
Lina arrived in Karlsruhe on February 21, 2017. She was 45 years old. She came from a private owner in Eastern Europe. Sadly, she was found dead outside on September 3, 2018.
Shanti arrived in Karlsruhe in 1958. She was born around 1956. Due to her age, she was euthanized on December 21, 2016.
Ilona came to Karlsruhe with Jenny in 2009. She had to be euthanized on March 31, 2014.
The Dickhäuterhaus also acts as an old-age home for elephants. The outdoor area was expanded to 3,000 square meters in 2017. This allows elephants to live out their lives comfortably.
Take a moment to appreciate the Dickhäuterhaus. It’s more than just a building. It’s a sanctuary for amazing creatures. It connects us to the natural world. It also reminds us of the importance of conservation.