@ralph It is certainly an interesting place with some high quality exhibits and some interesting species. Their 250.000 litre coral reef tank is the highlight and one of the best reef tanks that I know. Karlsruhe also has a 3rd zoo with Tierpark Oberwald which is accessible 24/7 and has some interesting species like white-lipped deer, Rocky Mountains goat, goitered gazelle and onager in simple but huge enclosures. The Tierpark is located in a forest that is also great for black woodpecker (I heard them calling throughout my visit, especially around the elk exhibit). These 3 make for a long but very satisfying zoo day, even when Zoo Karlsruhe itself is something of a disappointment, though the species list has certainly improved.
Most of the animal exhibits are in the 3 rooms on the ground floor to the right of the entrance, but there are also some on the 1st floor in the Africa and Insect rooms. This giant salamander exhibit is however hidden at the far left end of the ground floor underneath the stairs. Somewhat of a mystery why it is hidden there. Before the renovation they had a much more attractive giant salamander enclosure next to the entrance
