Zoo Kaiserslautern: 50 years of adventure - anniversary celebration awaits visitors!

Zoo Kaiserslautern: 50 years of adventure - anniversary celebration awaits visitors!

The Zoo Kaiserslautern, located in the Siegelbach district, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, an important event in the history of the zoological institutions in Germany. The opening took place on June 15, 1968, at that time still with modest admission prices of 1 DM for adults and DM 0.50 for children. The zoo started with 41 mammals and 26 birds, including famous animals such as Lion Simba and Schimpanse Bimbo. The then mayor Bernhard Schwehm and the official Karl Gautschi were the driving forces behind the foundation of the zoo. Despite the initial difficulties that concerned personnel, finance and permits, the zoo developed quickly.

In 1969 Siegelbach became part of Kaiserslautern, which gave the city a way to invest more in the zoo. Then 1.1 million marks flowed into the expansion of the system, which increased from initial 2 to 6 hectares. The new facilities included a warm house, a bird vole, a restaurant and a children's playground. The animal population grew significantly over the years: in 1974 the zoo counted 30 animals, in 1975 there were already 80 large animals and 150 birds and reptiles. The foundation of a company to promote the zoo in 1980 and annual grants of 300,000 marks through the city set further impulses.

management and redesign

1990 Jutta Grünnagel took over the management of the zoo, followed by Dr. Barbara Münchau in 1992. In 2003 the zoo was officially renamed Zoo Kaiserslautern, under the management of Matthias Schmitt. The latter accompanied the zoo until its retirement, which has been announced for the end of January 2025, a decision associated with job changes and a restructuring of zoo animal management.

In recent years, the zoo has experienced several crises. In 2014, after the death of the Tiger Igor, a fundamental realignment occurred, in which a new concept with a focus was on accessible enclosures and experiences -based experiences. The city increased the grant from 730,000 to 850,000 euros. The successfully completed projects include the new facilities for kangaroos, lemurs and otter as well as an Africa-Savanna landscape.

anniversary celebration and future plans

The anniversary is celebrated on AUM 11 and 12, 2025, promises reduced admission prices and special events for visitors. Future conversions are also planned, including a new children's playground, a petting zoo and a common enclosure for alpacas, nose bears and water pigs. The zoo employs 20 people, including trainees and volunteers, who contribute to the fact that the zoo remains a place for education, relaxation and animal welfare.

The history of the zoo is closely linked to the development of modern animal management and the changing expectations of a society that is increasingly focused on environmental and animal protection. The Kaiserslautern Zoo not only puts its facility, but also animal husbandry and visitor orientation. The zoo is therefore not only a place of relaxation, but also has an important role in educative and conservative programs that play into the general development of zoological institutions. The Munich Tierpark Hellabrunn AG .