By Johannes Malinowski
Zebras and antelopes graze in the grass, giraffes stretch their necks in the air, flamingos stand at the waterhole. East Africa? No, Friedrichsfelde!
The work on the new savannah landscape in the zoo is almost complete. The approximately 50,000 square meter area (about seven football pitches) is scheduled to open at the end of May.
In the small pond there is room for pelicans and marabou Photo: Sven Darmer
There are then hardly any visible fences anymore, for the first time many animals are at home together in one enclosure. A flat share in which, among other things, orys antelopes, wildebeests and Thomson’s gazelles live.
“We are not the first zoo to socialize animal species with each other,” says curator Markus Klamt (36). They were let out one by one so they could get a good look at their new roommates first. A zoo employee keeps an eye on everything. Klamt: “It has been absolutely fantastic so far.”
The zebra herd has already moved to its new home Photo: Sven Darmer
Formerly a fenced-in meadow, today varied terrain with rocks, fodder trees and savannah-like plants. And the new pachyderm house will one day also become part of the savannah landscape. When it will be finished – unclear! In the zoo, it is assumed that Europe’s most modern elephant facility (costs: more than 40 million euros) will not open before 2025.
In the future, visitors will be able to meet the giraffes at eye level through the new footbridge Photo: Sven Darmer
When the time comes, gazelles and zebras can visit the elephants. A lock ensures that the elephants cannot leave their area.
Nine giraffes live in the zoo Photo: Olaf Wagner
And the new 120 meter long giraffe walkway is almost finished. From there, visitors can meet the giraffes at eye level.
Next door, the mammoth mosaic by the artist Ortraud Lerch (1939 – 2013) is given a new place. The huge work of art used to hang on an outer facade of the pachyderm house. Now it is being dismantled for 350,000 euros, renovated and re-presented on a specially erected wall.
The new savannah landscape is open to visitors from May 26th.