Leipzig's zoo: big tropical adventure and new water world in sight!

Leipzig's zoo: big tropical adventure and new water world in sight!

The Leipzig Zoo is one of the most modern zoos in Europe and has developed impressively in recent years. The large-scale systems such as Pongoland, the Kiwara Savanne and the elephant temple attract numerous animal lovers. However, the Gondwanaland tropical experience, zoo director Jörg Junhold, who has been leading the zoo for 25 years, receives special attention. Nevertheless, the construction of Gondwanaland was not without hurdles: difficulties with the raw maker and the effects of the global steel crisis in 2008 led to financial burdens, and the costs for the roof structure rose by around 10 million euros.

Over the years, Junhold gained experiences that taught him to critically sharpen the view of the financial and technical implementation. In this way, the project had to be advertised publicly several times and ultimately had to be promoted despite media criticism. The total costs for Gondwanaland amounted to around 68 million euros, with the city of Leipzig contributed around 15 million euros, the rest was financed by funding, donations and loans. Today Gondwanaland is very popular and is a central attraction in the zoo.

new water world in Tierra del Fuego

But the Leipzig zoo does not rest on its laurels. A new water world for penguins and sea lions is being built in the southern tip. This innovative system will offer a walk -in underwater tunnel that gives visitors the feeling of being close to the action when diving. The shell is progressing quickly and is said to be completed in the summer of 2025. The multi -purpose building, which houses technology and stables, will be completely closed by April 2025.

Today, zoo visitors can observe the construction progress from a podium, while the sea lions are already housed in the old seal basin and train there. With other animal species such as Humboldtpenguins, Inca Seemabas, Sea Pelicans and Pudus, the goal is to create nature-related habitats and offer unforgettable experiences.

architecture with mind

The architecture in the zoo plays a crucial role. An animal enclosure can be seen as a prison that offers protection for animals and visitors. The construction must therefore focus on the needs of all those involved - animals, visitors and zookeepers. Zoos are responsible for campaigning for environmental diversity and educational work. The construction of tropical halls is a challenge, especially in Central Europe, since different climate zones have to be taken into account here.

The discussion about the focus on exotic animals versus The domestic wildlife is getting louder. Relevant institutions such as the Paris Zoo or the Zoo and Zoo Berlin are seen as role models for future zoos who not only want to pursue commercial purposes, but also want to sensitize them to research and animal rights.

In the coming years, the zooelt will change a lot, architecture will become an art form that not only acts as a superstructure, but seriously focuses on the living conditions of animals, the experience and the formation of the audience. The Leipzig Zoo obviously makes you serious here and shows that it is ready to tackle the challenges of the future.

Overall, the Leipzig Zoo remains a place that leads with a good hand and at the same time inspires visitors. Because despite all the difficulties, the joy of many new animals and the innovative construction project is noticeable - a sign that the zoo will continue to be very popular in the future.

More information about the Zoo Leipzig can be found on Thüringen24 Even at Zoo Leipzig you can at Kurier read.