Leipzig Zoological Garden, Zoological garden in Leipzig, Germany
Leipzig Zoological Garden is a large zoo in the Saxon city that covers around 26 hectares (64 acres) and hosts more than 850 animal species across themed areas. Main sections include the tropical greenhouse Gondwanaland, the primate house Pongoland, the African savanna landscape Kiwara-Kopje, and the aquarium with its varied underwater world.
This facility was founded on June 9, 1878 by restaurant owner Ernst Pinkert, who initially presented exotic animals at his inn. The grounds grew over the decades from a small exhibition into a sprawling park, modernized extensively during the post-war years and especially after reunification.
This facility follows the "zoo of the future" concept, where animals live in landscapes that replicate their natural habitats without visible bars or cages. Visitors walk on elevated paths through recreated rainforests and savannas, as if they were actually strolling through the wilderness.
The facility opens daily at 9 in the morning and closes between 5 in the evening during winter and 7 during summer, depending on the season. Many areas are accessible, and the routes pass through shaded paths that are more comfortable than open spaces on hot days.
The Gondwanaland section maintains a constant temperature of around 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit) year-round with high humidity, so stepping inside brings an immediate climate shift. This enclosed tropical rainforest houses free-flying birds and butterflies that flutter around visitors as they walk through.
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