Berlin Zoo

Berlin Zoo houses over 20,000 animals from 1,300 species, including giant pandas, gorillas, and the largest group of wild cattle in any zoo. Founded in 1844 as Germany’s first zoo, it spans 35 hectares near Berlin’s central district. Walk through the Elephant Gate, a detailed sandstone arch with gold accents, to see lions being fed at midday or hippos swimming in clear pools. The separate aquarium building lets you watch sharks circle a cylindrical tank and jellyfish pulse under colored lights. Historical milestones here include the survival of 91 animals after World War II and the global attention given to polar bear Knut, raised by zookeepers in 2007.

Animal Exhibits and Daily Activities

Start by watching chimpanzees climb ropes in their enclosure and gorillas groom each other in family groups. The Hippo House has underwater windows where you can see pygmy hippos swimming, and the nocturnal exhibit uses red lighting to reveal bats hanging upside down. In the aquarium, three floors display piranhas, tropical fish, and Komodo dragons behind thick glass. Plan your day around scheduled events like the sea lion feeding at 11:00 or the elephant keepers explaining how they prepare meals. The giant pandas Meng Meng and Jiao Qing live in a bamboo-filled enclosure, and their 2019 cubs were the first pandas born in Germany.

Postwar Recovery and Modern Updates

The Elephant Gate you enter today is a replica of the 1899 original, rebuilt after bombs destroyed much of the zoo in 1945. Inside the Antelope House, photographs and documents detail how the zoo expanded from 1844’s 900 animals to its current size. Many enclosures, like the rocky slopes for ibex, replaced iron-barred cages in the 1920s to mimic natural habitats. Construction is underway on a new Ape House that will simulate rainforest environments for orangutans and bonobos. By 1956, the zoo had rebuilt its population to 4,000 animals, and it now ranks among the most species-rich zoos globally.

Wildlife Protection and Breeding Successes

Zoo staff manage international breeding records for endangered species like black rhinos and Przewalski’s horses to ensure genetic diversity. Their programs produced the first captive-born mountain anoa calf in 2019 and raised Knut, the polar bear that drew worldwide attention to melting Arctic ice. Through partnerships, the zoo funds reforestation in Madagascar and anti-poaching patrols in Cameroon. At the cattle enclosures, look for rare bantengs with curved horns and listen to keeper talks about how controlled breeding prevents extinction. Donations here support veterinary care and habitat projects, with all funds going directly to conservation.

Hours, Tickets, and Visitor Tips

Open every day from 9:00 to 16:30 November through February and until 18:30 March through October. Buy tickets at the Lion Gate or Elephant Gate entrances, both a five-minute walk from Zoologischer Garten station. Students from Berlin schools can join guided tours for €4 per person, focusing on topics like African savanna ecosystems. Print scavenger hunt sheets from the zoo’s website to help kids spot animals like okapis or red pandas. Important: The zoo will close temporarily starting January 11, 2025, due to foot-and-mouth disease detected in Brandenburg. Verify reopening dates online before your trip.

Activities for Children

A petting area lets kids touch goats and donkeys, with a playground nearby featuring climbing structures and slides. Join the “Feeding Time Tour” to hand lettuce to giraffes or toss fish to penguins during 45-minute sessions available in English. The aquarium’s jellyfish room uses glowing tanks and simple diagrams to explain how these creatures move and hunt. Relax at outdoor tables near the flamingo ponds or watch gibbons leap between platforms on their island. Seasonal events include lantern-lit evening walks in October and holiday markets with animal-themed stalls in December.