Zoologischer Garten Berlin Attractions & Landmark
Thousand Different Species
Berlin,
10787
Germany
+49 30 25 4010
+49 30 2540 1228 
http://www.zoo-berlin.de
kundenservice@zoo-berlin.de
Transport Options:
Train Available: Zoologischer Garten
Overview
Located next to Zoo Station in the heart of the western city centre, Zoologischer Garten Berlin is home to Skippy the kangaroo, Pretty Woman the gorilla and Kiri the elephant, to name just a few. Other attractions are the nocturnal animals and a pair of Chinese panda bears, although Yan-Yan's lack of sexual interest in her partner Bao-Bao has been talk of the town for years! Founded in 1844 by Prussian King William IV, the Zoologischer Garten is Germany's oldest zoo. With 13,000 animals and 1,400 different species, the zoo is also one of the world's most populous. The nearby Aquarium was opened in the 1930s.
I usually hate zoos as animals are kept in captivity but this one is different. The cages I saw only in the wild cats section, all others are edged by a small fence, maybe 50cm high. Lots of space and natural habitat for the animals, they really have some freedom. You can take photos no flash.
There are 2 separate tarifs, one for the Acquarium and then you have to pay again to go to the zoo. The animals are bright, aware, and seem to be well-fed (compared to the Frankfurt zoo, where pelicans are stuffed with hay and the Washington Zoo, where ostriches have to eat the same thing) and they are allowed to observe and interact with the visitors. In some zoos the animals hide in their houses and lie in their cages and do not pay attention to the people who come to visit the zoo.
