Gondwanaland at Leipzig Zoo: construction hurdles and great excitement!

Gondwanaland at Leipzig Zoo: construction hurdles and great excitement!

There are truly exciting developments to report at Leipzig Zoo. The facility is considered one of the most modern in Europe and delights visitors with highlights such as Pongoland, the Kiwara savannah and the unique elephant temple. However, special attention is paid to the tropical experience of Gondwanaland. Zoo director Jörg Junhold, who has been running the zoo for 25 years, recently spoke in the podcast “Elefant, Tiger & Co.” about the challenges encountered in the construction of this remarkable project. The proposal for Gondwanaland was made at the turn of the millennium, but there were always difficulties that were not openly communicated. A change in the bodywork manufacturer led to delays, while the global steel crisis in 2008 had a massive impact on material availability and costs. The Beijing Olympics also affected the steel supply in Leipzig, which meant that the roof structure ultimately incurred additional costs of approximately 10 million euros.

Although the city of Leipzig contributed around 15 million euros to the project, the total costs rose to around 68 million euros. This caused controversial discussions in city politics. The city's mayor made an individual decision during the summer break without consulting the city council. Junhold agreed to publicly accept responsibility if the necessary support came from the city council, which was met with criticism in the media. Ultimately, however, Gondwanaland was successfully completed and enjoys great popularity.

New water world in Leipzig Zoo

But that's not the only big news from Leipzig Zoo. An impressive water world for penguins and sea lions is currently being created in the southern tip. This new facility will feature a walk-through underwater tunnel that will allow visitors to experience the experience of diving. Construction of the Tierra del Fuego facility is progressing quickly, with the shell construction scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2025. The associated multi-purpose building for technology and stables will be completely closed until April 2025. The installation of the building services and the water technology equipment in the basement is currently underway, and work on the artificial rocks on the gable of the building will begin in March 2025.

Zoo visitors can watch the progress from a pedestal as the sea lions currently housed in the old seal tank train there for medical procedures. In addition to the sea lions, Humboldt penguins, Inca terns, sea pelicans and even pudus will also find a new home in the new water world. The aim is to create natural habitats for the animals and to offer unforgettable experiences for visitors.

Outlook: Frankfurt Zoo on the way to modernization

Something is also happening in other German zoos. At Frankfurt Zoo, work has begun on a comprehensive master plan for the future development of the area. In July 2020, the city council commissioned the creation of a plan to make the zoo future-proof. This not only includes the structural renovation of over half of the site, but also the creation of optimal conditions for the animals. Species-appropriate animal husbandry and intensive animal encounters are to be made possible on eleven hectares in order to promote understanding of nature and biodiversity.

The modernization of the zoo is pursuing clear goals: a sustainable energy concept, a high quality of stay for visitors and employees as well as the integration of educational offers on nature and species protection should make the zoo a popular destination for the around 800,000 annual visitors in the future. So it remains to be seen what exciting innovations zoo fans can expect in the future.

If you would like to find out more about developments at Leipzig Zoo, you can find more information on the website Thuringia24, Leipzig Zoo and Frankfurt Zoo.