As an integral part of Berlin’s urban life, the Zoo is a living symbol of the harmonious fusion of history and the future, and ranks among the world’s leading zoos, alongside other renowned institutions such as San Diego, Singapore and New York. With 5.6 million visitors a year, the Berlin Zoo bridges the gap between science and leisure.
DIRECTOR OF THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS
Dr Andreas Knieriem has been Director and CEO of the Berlin Zoological Gardens since 1 April 2024. For more than 10 years
the zoo, the zoological garden and the aquarium have been the centre of his life. With a unique combination of tradition and
modernity, the former zoo vet not only offers visitors fascinating insights into the animal world, but also makes an important
contribution to the protection of endangered species and the promotion of environmental awareness.
Conservation at the zoo
With the ‘Berlin World Wild’ conservation programme, they are one piece of the puzzle in a large international network of stakeholders working together towards a common goal: the protection of biodiversity to ensure a healthy planet for future generations. This was clearly demonstrated by the Przewalski’s horse reintroduction project. The herd was brought together at the Berlin Zoo and prepared step by step. This includes regular training sessions with the transport crates, as well as veterinary care to ensure the horses’ health. The aim is to reintroduce at least 40 horses to their natural habitat over the next five years.
Marshland for rhinos
However, it is not only species conservation projects on site that demonstrate the significant steps in the mission of the zoological gardens to promote species conservation. The rhino pagoda at the zoo opened in June 2023 to raise public awareness of the threatening loss of our biodiversity. A near-natural marshland landscape was created on around 14,000 square metres, which is modelled on the animals’ natural habitat. The aquarium is currently being modernised, which is being carried out floor by floor during ongoing operations and also includes a complete renovation of the exhibitions.
TikTok star Toni,
On 3 June, a tiny pygmy hippo was born and became an overnight viral star. His first bath achieved an impressive 13 million views on TikTok and around 9 million on Instagram. It remains to be seen whether it is Toni’s big googly eyes or the Hippo team’s attentive care – the name of the cute new arrival, inspired by the famous godfather Antonio Rüdiger – that has won the hearts of fans around the world. But one thing is certain: when Toni takes his next dive, the zoo’s guests, big and small, will be absolutely thrilled.
Offspring in the Panda Garden
The neighbouring panda garden also had reason to celebrate. On 22 August, two female panda cubs were born. Each is an important contribution to the conservation of this endangered species. Without conservation efforts, the giant panda would likely be extinct by now.