Augsburg Zoo, Zoo in Augsburg, Germany
Augsburg Zoo spreads across 22 hectares (54 acres) and displays elephants, bears, primates, and many bird species in naturalistic enclosures. The grounds are divided into several themed areas that recreate different habitats from around the world.
Augsburg Zoo opened on 12 June 1937 as the "Park der deutschen Tierwelt", intended to show native German wildlife; a planned Swabian farm was never built. Allied bombing destroyed much of the grounds between 1943 and 1945, and the public returned only in 1947. When the zoo became a GmbH in 1953, the city council directed it to add exotic species from around the world.
The original name, Park der deutschen Tierwelt, reflected the Nazi-era aim of showing native German wildlife; after 1947 the public asked for exotic species and the name changed to Augsburger Tiergarten. Today the zoo keeps over 1,200 animals from 240 species and runs 18 European Endangered Species Programmes, including breeding successes with Grevy's zebras and Rothschild's giraffes.
The zoo lies on the northern edge of the Siebentischwald, next to the Siebentischanlagen landscape park to the west and the Botanical Garden to the north. The grounds cover 22 hectares, so allow several hours for a full circuit. The entrance shown in the photo is marked by green metal letters reading "Zoologischer Garten" above a slatted pergola.
The zoo's bear enclosure was completely rebuilt and enlarged, and a glass pane now lets visitors watch the brown bears fishing underwater. A separate enclosure for maned wolves was also created. The zoo supports 18 European Endangered Species Programmes, including for Grevy's zebras and Rothschild's giraffes.
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