High temperatures in the Leipzig zoo: Animal joy of young talent despite heat!

High temperatures in the Leipzig zoo: Animal joy of young talent despite heat!

Leipzig, Deutschland - Summer has found its way into Germany with full hands! With warm temperatures and a lot of sunshine, people are drawn out, and the Leipzig zoo is a popular destination. Over 600 animal species are waiting to be discovered. The zoo director, Prof. Jörg Junhold, expresses concerns in a recent zoo podcast, because the current temperatures above 30 degrees could have a negative impact on the number of visitors.

Junhold, who has been a director at Leipzig Zoo since 1997, has a lot of experience in his profession. According to his biography, he was born on March 26, 1964 and has already set many course for the success of the zoo. "If it is over 30 degrees, many people are more likely to choose outdoor pools or pools," explains Junhold. Temperatures around 25 degrees would be ideal, since they would create the optimal conditions for numerous visitors to the zoo. Nevertheless, Junhold also sees the positive aspects of the heat: less crowds on the enclosures and more calm to watch the animals.

visitor numbers and challenges

The challenges for zoos are diverse. The Leipzig Zoo recorded a total of 1.67 million visitors in 2008 and thus took fourth place in a nationwide comparison. And the Zoological-Botanical Garden of Wilhelma in Stuttgart has also had a steady growing number of visitors since 2008, as current statistics showed that were published for 2024. Here is a look at the numbers that show a clear increase:

Junhold increased the visiting numbers of the Leipzig Zoo of 678,000 in the first year of his term to considerable figures today. These successes are not only thanks to a good concept, but also of its passion for species protection. Junhold is not only committed to the zoo, but also in various committees, including the Leipzig cultural foundation and the Lions Club Leipzig-Saxonia.

an exciting time in the zoo

The zoo gained a new attractiveness with the mating season in spring because many young animals saw the light of day in the enclosures. After all, this attracts one or the other visitor, even if the high temperatures are currently a challenge. Junhold himself has developed a concept for the “Zoo of the Future”, which is intended to significantly influence the future development of the zoo.

Overall, the tension remains how the number of visitors will develop this summer season. Jörg Junhold has the reins firmly in his hand and is optimistic about the future of Leipzig Zoo.

For more information about the Leipzig zoo, interested readers can: Inside the Report by Thuringia24 and the biography by Jörg Junhold Wikipedia as well as the statistics on Wilhelma in Stuttgart on Statista Visit.