Zoo Wuppertal

Zoo Wuppertal, more formally called Zoologischer Garten Wuppertal is a zoo in the German city of Wuppertal. About 5,000 animals from about 500 species from all continents live on the park's 20 ha areal. Some of the more prominent examples are apes, monkeys, bears, great cats and elephants, though there are also a number of birds, reptiles and fish.

Buildings

Modern enclosures and zoo buildings exist for elephants and apes, there is a house for birds with a specially designed hall, where freely flying birds can be observed, and a small combined aquarium/terrarium.

History

The zoo was founded on 5 December 1879. The central building opened together with the zoo itself on 8 September 1881. It featured 34 animals, among them a pair of wolves and a bear. Since then the zoo has been steadily expanded. For the 125th anniversity of the zoo's opening in 2006 a new enclosure for lions and tigers is expected to open to allow for a more adequate area. Penguins and gorillas are going to be given a new, more modern home, too.

Location

The zoo lies in the western part of Wuppertal on the so called "Boltenberg" between Elberfeld and Vohwinkel. When the new lion/tiger enclosure is finished it will have an area of about 24 ha.

Public transport is available in the immediate vicinity. The Wuppertaler Schwebebahn and the S-Bahn Wuppertal (S8, S9) have stations close by. Arriving by car via the Autobahn 46 is possible but not recommended, since parking lots are in very short supply.

External links

* [http://www.zoo-wuppertal.de/ Official web presence]
* [http://www.zoo-wuppertal.net/ Some photos]