German Zoo Worlds Zoo Animal Report

[Paul.Haerle]

At Neu Ulm they are kept in 2 Enclosures but i have also seen a freeroaming Sebright Chicken that jumped into the Enclosure of Star Tortoise, Elongated Tortoise and King Quail. The first real Enclosure for the Sebright Chicken is a small and dark Aviary which is shared with Domestic Chicken, Budgerigar and Cockatiel. A small group of Sebright Chickens is also kept in the Zoos main Tortoise Enclosure booth outside and inside. The Chickens share the Enclosure with an unusual Mix of African spurred Tortoise, Leopard Tortoise, Radiated Tortoise, a single Aldabra giant Tortoise and in the Indoor section even a freeroaming Veiled Chameleon.

There's also a little farm area behaind the terrarium building where you can find also bigger chickens (I can't remember the breed) together with goats, turkeys, geese and Domesticated Muscovery Ducks.
There are Thuringian Bearded Chickens (as I asked the owner he said there's only a rooster) in the aviary too.

 

[German Zoo World]

There's also a little farm area behaind the terrarium building where you can find also bigger chickens (I can't remember the breed) together with goats, turkeys, geese and Domesticated Muscovery Ducks.
There are Thuringian Bearded Chickens (as I asked the owner he said there's only a rooster) in the aviary too.

I think this has to be were the Bactrian Camel was once kept? Unfortunatley on my last Visit in 2023 i could not find the mixed Farm Enclosure anymore at the Zoo.

 

[Paul.Haerle]

I think this has to be were the Bactrian Camel was once kept?

Yes the Bactrian Camel was there kept.

Unfortunatley on my last Visit in 2023 i could not find the mixed Farm Enclosure anymore at the Zoo.

There's a door in the building in the area where the Alligator Snapping Turtle is housed. Through this door you can enter the farm area.

 

[German Zoo World]

Yes the Bactrian Camel was there kept.

There's a door in the building in the area where the Alligator Snapping Turtle is housed. Through this door you can enter the farm area.

I was not sure if you could go there but good to know.

 

[German Zoo World]

Domestic Sheep

Photo made by @German Zoo World Cameroon Sheep formerly at Wilhelma Zoo

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 15
Seen Breeds/Species: Border Leicester Sheep, Coburg fox Sheep, Four horned Sheep, Cameroon Sheep, Ouessant Sheep, Rhone Sheep, Romanow Sheep, Wallachian Sheep, Valais Blacknose Sheep, Racka Sheep

Domestic Sheeps are a another staple Animal of many Farm sections and Petting Zoos in booth smaller and larger Zoos. At Tripsdrill Wildlife they are kept together with Ouessant Sheep in a simple long Meadow Enclosure but they were previously also kept together with Domestic Donkey in a huge Meadow Enclosure but they changed the Pathway leading to the Zoo Entrance and currently they can be seen in the Enclosure mentioned above. Göppingen Zoo keeps their Domestic Sheeps in a small unfortunatley cramped Enclosure together with Wallachian Sheep, Vietnamese pot bellied Pig, Llama and even a young Dromedary Camel. Now we take a closer Look at some of the more unusual and rare Sheep breeds found in Zoos. Wilhelma Zoo keeps for instance the long eared Border Leicester Sheep in the Zoos former Bactrian Camel Enclosure. I have seen Coburg Fox Sheep at 2 Zoos, first there is a large Herd of them at Hohenloher open air Museum which often has many Lambs. Of course there are also Coburg Fox Sheep at Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park where they are kept in 2 Enclosures. First up they are kept in the Lifestock Presentation where you can see them being led to a new Paddock by an Border Collie. The second Enclosure for them at Bad Mergentheim is a simple Enclosure in the Zoos Farm section but there is a Box where you can get some free Wool from their Sheeps. I stil remember the first Time i have seen my first ever four horned Sheep or Jakobs Sheep at Tier and Spielpark Bichlbach. I thought these Sheeps were looking so odd because of their many Horns. They are held at this small Austrian Zoo in a simple Enclosure with other domestic Ungulates and a single handreared Red Deer. Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park is also Home to a small Herd but they can only be seen during the Lifestock Presentation. At Wildpark Oberreith the four horned Sheeps are found in a simple spacious Meadow Enclosure. Blühendes Barrock Ludwigsburg keeps a few four horned Sheeps inside the Zoos beautifull themed Fairytail Gardens, where you can see their simple Enclosure booth from the Visitor Path and from a small Boat ride that goes arround their Enclosure. At Göppingen Zoo they are kept in a simple shared Enclosure together with Domestic Donkey and Dromedary Camel. One of the most common Sheep breeds in Zoos is the brown african Cameroon Sheep and i have seen them at 5 Zoos. I stil remember them when they were kept at Wilhelma Zoos Petting Zoo together with African dwarf Goat but they were phased out because of the Construction for the new Elephant House. At Petting Zoo Kastanienhof Bodelshausen a absolutley huge Herd of Cameroon Sheep is kept in the Petting Zoo and in a spacious retreat Enclosure together with several Domestic Donkeys. Nuremburg Zoo keeps their Cameroon Sheep in the Childrens Zoos large Petting Zoo Enclosure together with African dwarf Goat. Ulm Zoo keeps a Herd inside the former Persian fallow Deet Enclosure and at Tiergehege Öhringen they are kept in a simple walkthrough Enclosure together with a small Herd of Alpaca and formerly a Bennetts Wallaby but the Zoo was not very successfull with Wallabys and the last one passed away in 2023/24. The Cameroon Sheep at Öhringen are very tame Individuals that can often be seen on the Visitor Pathway but they can also retreat to their own side of the Enclosure or they can enter the Enclosures for Domestic Donkey and Shetland Pony. Another common Sheep breed in Zoos is the Ouessant Sheep which i have seen at 3 Zoos. At Tripsdrill Wildlife they are kept in the same Enclosure already mentioned above and in the Domestic Donkey entry. Bad Mergentheim keeps many different Breeds of Domestic Sheeps including a small breeding Herd of Ouessant Sheep which share the Petting Zoo Enclosure with African dwarf Goats but the Sheeps and Goats can also enter the Enclosure of the Dahomey dwarf Cattle. At Landau Zoo they live in a nicely themed Petting Zoo also together with African dwarf Goat. Rhone Sheep are a rare Breed from the Rhone Mountains and i have seen them at Opel Zoo Kronberg where they are kept in the Zoos Petting Zoo together with other domestic Ungulates. The new Asian Farm section at Wilhelma Zoo is Home to the rare Romanow Sheep which are kept in a simple Enclosure together with Cashmeres Goat. I have seen Wallachian Sheep at Göppingen Zoo where they are kept in the already mentioned shared Domestics Enclosure together with Domestic Sheep, Vietnamese pot bellied Pig, Llama and a Dromedary Camel. The Valais blacknose Sheep is a rare breed from Switzerland that i have seen at Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park where they are kept in the first Enclosure you can see if you enter the Zoo. They live in a nice hilly landscaped Enclosure with a small Barn. One of the most interesting looking Sheep Breeds is the Racka Sheep from Hungary. I have seen the Racka Sheep at Bodenseezoo Reuthemühle where they are kept in a huge spacious Meadow Enclosure, i remember the Racka Sheep as tame Individuals that came over to the Fence to be fed and petted. There are many different interesting Breeds of Domestic Sheeps in Zoos and espacialy for small Kids it is fascinating to be able to fed or pet a Zoo Animal so i think this makes them very popular amongst Zoo Visitors.

 

[German Zoo World]

Domestic Horse

Photo made by @German Zoo World Shetland Pony at Göppingen Zoo

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 12
Seen Breeds/Species: Miniature Pony, Domestic Pony, Black forest heavy Horse, Shetland Pony

Most Farm sections in Zoos are Home to some Horses or Ponys and some Zoos even give Childrens the opportunity to ride a Pony. At Petting Zoo Kastanienhof Bodelshausen the Domestic Horses are mostly used for riding and they even have a own indoor riding arena. But the Horses at Bodelshausen can of course also be seen on several simple outdoor Enclosures. I have seen the tiny Miniature Pony at 2 Zoos. At Augsburg Zoo they were previously kept in the Zoos Domestic Animal section but they were phased out in 2023. Göppingen Zoo keeps them in a small and sadly cramped Enclosure in front of the Zoos Entrance, already mentioned in the Donkey Entry and together with Domestic Donkey and Shetland Pony. At Ulm Zoo they keep a Domestic Pony inside the mixed Domestic Enclosure already mentioned in the Donkey and Chicken Entrys. Most Zoos keep the smaller Ponys but some Zoos like Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park do also keep larger Horse Breeds like the Black forest heavy Horse. The Black forest heavy Horse at Bad Mergentheim can be seen during the Lifestock Presentation but unfortunatley i have not seen them on my last Visits and i do not know if they are stil kept by the Zoo. One of the most common Domestic Horse breeds in Zoos is the Shetland Pony which i have seen at 9 Zoos. Shetland Ponys were also part of the former Demonstration Farm at Wilhelma Zoo, they were kept mostly for riding and lived in Wilhelmas mixed Equid Enclosure until they were phased out in 2023. Like the Donkey they are also kept in a sepperate Enclosure inside of the walkthrough Enclosure at Tiergehege Öhringen. Of course Bad Mergentheim is also Home to Shetland Ponys which can be seen during the Lifestock Presentation. A few Years ago i remember that a Pony called Bonsai carryed a Wagon with a Pig inside but on my last Visit you can see them only running arround while the Keeper talks about their Facts. At Hellabrunn Zoo Munich Shetland Ponys are kept of course in a simple Enclosure at the Zoos Village section. Heidelberg Zoo keeps their Shetland Ponys in the new Farm section but i remember the old simple Enclosure in which they were formerly kept in which is stil located near the Bactrian Camels. At Karlsruhe Zoo you can find them mixed with Miniature Donkey on a simple meadow Enclosure already mentioned in the Donkey Entry. Another simple yet spacious Meadow is the Home of the Shetland Ponys at Wildpark Oberreith but the Zoos tame Individuals did come over to the Fence and some even stick their Heads through the Fence to get a nice Head scratch. At Göppingen Zoo they are kept in the Enclosure mentioned above and in the Donkey entry. Last but not least they are also kept at Opel Zoo Kronberg where they can be ridden on by smaller Childrens. I think it is Important for Zoos to have Domestic Horses as they are very popular by Zoo Visitors and they are a must have Animal for any Farm section in a Zoo.

 

[German Zoo World]

Domestic Pigeon

Photo made by @KevinB

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 3
Seen Breeds/Species: Fantail Pigeon, South german shield Pigeon

Domestic Pigeons are often kept in booth smaller and larger Zoos, mainly in Farm sections. Wildpark Oberreith keeps them in a simple Aviary. There are many different Breeds of Domestic Pigeons but the Fantail Pigeon is one of the most popular booth in the private Pet trade and of course in Zoos, i have seen them at 2 Zoos. First up they are also kept at Wildpark Oberreith in a similar Aviary like already mentioned above. Fantail Pigeons are also kept in the Fairytale Garden at Blühendes Barrock Ludwigsburg, where they are held in a simple Aviary with a Cinderella figurine inside. Most of the Fantails at Ludwigsburg looked very fat, and they mostly walked arround on the floor of their Aviary. Wilhelma Zoo was previousley Home to a large breeding flock of the rare South german shield Pigeon. I remember them very well when they were stil kept in the former young Animal rearing Centre where the Zoo Visitors could even take a closer look into the Pigeon Nests, but the Pigeons were also freeroaming the whole Zoo as they did come back on their own to the young Animal rearing Centre. With the demolition of the young Animal rearing Centre the remaining South german shield Pigeons were moved over to the Zoos Demonstration Farm, where they were kept also freeroaming in the Zoo but with the Closure of the Demonstration Farm in 2023 the South german shield Pigeons were phased out by the Zoo. Domestic Pigeons can be kept either in Aviarys or freeroaming in Zoos as they find their way Home very easily, this makes them very popular in Zoos.

 

[German Zoo World]

Domestic Turkey

Photo made by @KevinB

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 6
Seen Breeds/Species: Bronze Turkey, Crollwitz Turkey

Domestic Turkeys are often kept in many Zoos and they are often held together with other Domestic Birds in Farm sections. At Tripsdrill Wildlife, the Zoos small Flock of Domestic Turkeys is kept in a spacious naturalistic forested walkthrough Enclosure together with a Pair of Chinese Goose and a small breeding Herd of Reeves Muntjac. I have seen the Zoos Turkeys eating peacefully from the same Feeding trough as the Muntjacs but if the Turkeys got to close to the Chinese Geese the male Goose chased the Turkeys away and i think he is the most dominant Bird inside this walkthrough Enclosure.I have seen the Bronze Turkey at 4 Zoos, which makes them one of the most common Turkey breeds in Zoos. At Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park the Bronze Turkeys are kept in the Lifestock Presentation where you can see a small Flock of Bronze Turkeys at the Start of the Presentation together with Diepholz Geese and Domestic Rabbits. Wilhelma Zoo was also home to a small flock of Bronze Turkeys, they were of course kept in the Zoos former Demonstration Farm. At the Demonstration Farm they were kept in one of the simple Aviarys for domestic Birds and they were kept there until they were phased out for the new Elephant House. Heidelberg Zoo stil keeps Bronze Turkeys, i remember that they were formerly kept in a simple yet spacious Aviary behind the African Savannah Enclosure. This Aviary was used first for Southern ground Hornbill as the Turkeys were moved ofshow, currently the former Southern ground Hornbill Aviary is Home to the much rarer Abyssinan ground Hornbill while the remaining Bronze Turkeys are onshow again in the Zoos new Farm section. The Bronze Turkeys at Pfauengarten Zoo, the Zoo is also Home to a small Flock, were also kept of show for a few Years but on my last Visit in 2024 they went back on Exhibit. First they were kept in a simple Enclosure behind some old fashioned Aviarys in small Buildings. Then they went of show for at least 2-3 years and in 2024 i did see them in a mixed Enclosure where they are kept together with White Peafowl, Greater Flamingo and African grey crowned Crane. Male Turkeys can sometimes be very agressive and i did see this on my Visit to Hohenloher open air Museum where they keep the rare Breed of the Crollwitz Turkey. The Turkeys at the Museum were mostly kept freeroaming but they also had a small Barn for the Night. Somehow the Zoos/Museums male Turkey called Rasputin had something against Strollers and i did see a young Mother with a Stroller dodging the agressive Bird that jumped against the Stroller and Rasputin even followed the Stroller arround, maybee because he thought the Stroller was another male Turkey. The Zoo/Museum even put Signs up about Rasputins behauvior. A few years ago i read a newspaper Article that stated Rasputin was moved to a private Farm of one of the Zoo Keepers and that the Zoo/Museum is now Home to a new and much friendlier male Crollwitz Turkey. Espacialy male Turkeys are very impressive Zoo Birds and this makes them popular even by standard Zoo Visitors.

 

[German Zoo World]

Domestic Pig

Photo made by @German Zoo World Forsthof Minipig at Ulm Zoo

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 13
Seen Breeds/Species: yellow Mangalitza Pig, Gotting Minipig, Kune Kune Pig, Forsthof Minipig, Swabish hall landrace Pig, Swallowbellied Mangalitza Pig, Vietnames pot bellied Pig

Domestic Pigs are often kept in Zoos and espacially rare old Breeds are also kept in Farm sections of larger Zoos. The yellow Magalitza Pig which i have seen at Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park is kept in the Zoos Farm section inside a simple Enclosure. The Mangalitza Enclosure was formerly also Home to Swabish hall landrace Pigs and it was split in to two smaller Enclosures. But since the Zoo sadly phased out the Swabish hall landrace Pigs the two Pig Enclosures were connected to give the Mangalitzas more Space. On my last Visit in 2025 i did see a female Pig with a few little Piglets constantly running arround until it is enough for their Mother and she got a bit angry. Very common in Zoos is the Gotting Minipig which i have seen at two Zoos. At Göppingen Zoo they kept one Gotting Minipig together with a Vietnamese pot bellied Pig, in a small and simple Enclosure but on my last Visit in 2025 i noticed that the Gotting Minipig was now kept in a simple sepperate Enclosure inside the Barn area of a mixed Domestic Enclosure.Opel Zoo Kronberg keeps their Gotting Minipigs inside a simple sepperate Enclosure in the Zoos Petting Zoo. The Kune Kune Pig from New Zealand is another fascinating Breed that i have also seen at 2 Zoos. One of them is Wilhelma Zoo where they keep a small group of Kune Kunes inside the Zoos former European wild Boar Enclosure which is one of the few Enclosures from the former Demonstration Farm that are stil in Use today. Hellabrunn Zoo Munich keeps their Kune Kunes of course in a simple Enclosure in the Zoos Village section but they are also kept in a second simple Enclosure near the Persian fallow Deer. Like the Gotting Minipig i have also seen the quite similar Forsthof Minipig at 2 Zoos. They are kept at Tier and Spielpark Bichlbach in a simple Enclosure on the Zoos very steep Pig Mountain. At Ulm Zoo they keep a small Groupf of Forsthof Minipgs in a very simple Enclosure but the Pigs at Ulm are very tame Individuals and you coild brush them on their Backs. On my last Visit in 2024 the Pigs at Ulm Zoo moved over to a new simple Enclosure between the Enclosures for Cameroon Sheep and Emu because of the threatning African swine Fever. While the Pigs former Enclosure is now Home to some Domestic Rabbits, even when you are not able to brush the Pigs anymore i think the new Enclosure is much better for them as on my last ,Visit i saw the Pigs sniffing arround in the natural Soil. The most common Domestic Pig breed i have seen is the Swabish hall landrace Pig which i have seen at 7 Zoos but i sadly noticed that this old Breed is only stil kept at one of the 7 Zoos where i haven seen them and the on one that stil has them is the Hohenloher open air Museum. At the open air Museum, the Pigs are the first Animals you can see as you walk in, the Zoo/Museum breeds them regularly and they also have a spacious Meadow Enclosure but most of the Time they are kept in a simple Barn with open fronted Boxes. Only a few Years ago these Pigs were commonly kept in many Zoos including at Tiergehege Öhringen where the Pigs were phased out because of the Rennovation for the new Tiergehege and they never returned after they reopened the Zoo. Formerly they were also kept and i stil remember them very well at the Children Zoos of the Nuremburg Zoo, Luisenpark Mannheim and Heidelberg Zoo but sadly they have been phased out by all of these Zoos. Sadly they were alo phased out by Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park and Wilhelma Zoo. At Bad Mergentheim they were not only kept in the above mentioned Enclosure, they were also part of the Lifestock Presentation, where you coulld see a small Herd first running arround and later a Keeper made a funny Joke, first he lets the Pigs drink Water from a Bottle and later he asks the Zoo Visitors if someone is thirsty and offers them to drink from the Pigs Bottle. Wilhelma Zoo kept a breeding Group in a similar Enclosure as the Open air Museum, but the Zoo phased them out with the permanent closure of the Demonstration Farm. I have already mentioned the yellow Mangalitza Pig but i have also seen the Swallowbellied Mangalitza Pig at 2 Zoos. I have of course seen the Swallowbellied variety at Bad Mergentheim where i think they are rotated on show with the yellow Variety, the Enclosure is only signed as Mangalitza Pig but i have seen both Breeds at the Zoo. At Wildpark Oberreith Swallowbellied Mangalitza Pigs are kept in a simple Enclosure in the forested Part of the Zoo. The last Pig Breed i want to talk about is the Vietnamese potbellied Pig which i have seen at 2 Zoos. Göppingen Zoo once had the same Individual that is stil at the Zoo, together with a Götting Minipig in a already mentioned Enclosure but their old Enclosure was connected to the nearby mixed Domestic Enclosure which was already mentioned in the Sheep Entry and today the Potbellied Pig is housed in this enlarged yel sadly stil quite cramped Enclosure. Wilhelma Zoo keeps their Potbelly Pigs in a simple Petting Zoo Enclosure in the Zoos Asian Farm section where you are able to pet and brush the Pigs. Domestic Pigs are clever and social which makes them to very popular Zoo Animals espacially if they have little Pigletts.

 

[German Zoo World]

Central european wild Boar

Photo made by @German Zoo World Central european wild Boars at Tripsdrill Wildlife

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 6

Today we talk about the Ancestor of the Domestic Pig, the Central european wild Boar which i have seen at 6 Zoos. Wilhelma Zoo was home to a small Group which was kept in the current Kune Kune Pig Enclosure until the Boars were phased out in 2014. The Wild Boars at Tier and Spielpark Bichlbach are kept in a simple Enclosure on the Pig Mountain near the Forsthof Minipig Enclosure. Another very simple but sadly tiny Enclosure is found at Pfauengarten Zoo which is Home to 2 huge Wild Boars. Many of the Animals at Pfauengarten Zoo can be fed by the Visitors and Visitors are even allowed to feed the Boars which i think can be very dangerous, imagine if a Toddler gets bitten by them. Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park also has only 2 Boars but they live in a much better spacious and naturalistic Enclosure with many Mud wallows. A huge breeding Herd of Wild Boar is kept at Tripsdrill Wildlife in a spacious, naturalistic and forested Enclosure. You can also watch them from a elevated Viewing area and on nearly every Visit you can see little Piglets at the Zoo. My most spectacular Zoo Encounter with Wild Boars was at Alpine Zoo Innsbruck where they were mixed previously with European lowland Bisons. They were kept in a steep but unfortunatley quite cramped Enclosure, on my last Visit in 2023 the Bisons had several Calves and the visable Wild Boar ignored them most of the Time but one of the Calves got in his Way and the Boar chased the Bison Calf uphill even when the Bison Calf was a bit larger than the Wild Boar. According to Alpine Zoos News Thread, the Zoos Wild Boars have been moved to the old Eurasian Wolf Enclosure which means they are not anymore mixed with the European Bisons. Central european wild Boars are a staple Species of many Wildparks and if they are kept in a breeding Group they are very popular with Zoo Visitors.

 

[German Zoo World]

Peregrine Falcon

Photo made by @vogelcommando

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 2

Peregrine Falcons are found on every Continent except Antarctica and they are also impressive Zoo Birds. At Wildpark Oberreith they keep the Peregrine Falcon inside a simple but sadly way to small Aviary. I do not know if Oberreith keeps the Bird in the Zoos Bird of Prey Show or if they only keep him in the Aviary which would be a bit sad because on my Visit the Falcon paced from one Side of the Aviary to the other Side. The Falcon at Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park can only be seen during the Zoos feeding Tour where the Keepers do feed most of the Zoos Animals, including the Peregrine Falcon which is mostly shown to the Visitors on the other side of the Red Deet/Ruddy Shelduck Meadow. Peregrine Falcons are the fastest Birds in the World with speeds up to 300 kmh and this makes them very famous Birds, but sadly they are rarely found in larger Zoos.

 

[German Zoo World]

Red Fox

Photo made by @Maguari

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 1
Seen Breeds/Species: Domestic silver Fox, European red Fox

Red Foxes are kept in many different Zoos, but seeing them on the other Hand is not guaranted because they are mostly nocturnal and so i have only seen the Red Fox at one Zoo. Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park has both the European red Fox and the Domesticated silver Fox, which share a spacious naturalistic Enclosure which is designed as a Predator and Prey setup. The Foxes can watch the Zoos North american Beavers which live in a stunning Enclosure in front of the Foxes and the Enclosures are only sepperated with a dry Moat. Unfortunatley you can only watch the Foxes from a distance but their Enclosure is absolutley breathtaking. 10+ years ago the Red Foxes at Bad Mergentheim were kept in the Enclosure mentioned above but they also kept a second group of Foxes together with the Zoos European brown Bears at that Time. The Foxes that were housed with the Bears of course had a of show Enclosure for retrat if needed. It is interesting to see that Red Foxes can be quite large when you see them and so i think it is important for Zoos to keep an Animal that most Zoo Visitors have heard of but it is rarely seen in the Wild by most Visitors.

 

[German Zoo World]

European tree Frog

Photo made by @KevinB

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 1

Amphibians are true masters of camouflage, and the native European tree Frog is no exception. I have seen the Frog at Alpine Zoo Innsbruck, where they are kept in a spacious and naturalistic Palaudarium mixed with Smooth Newt and located in the Zoos Aqua-Terrarium Building which is dedicated to small freshwater Invertebrates, Fish and Amphibians. On my Visit i looked for the Tree Frogs but all i could find were the Smooth Newts, but as i looked closer i noticed brown blobs on some of the Branches and these are the Frogs i have looked for. I always looked for green tree Frogs but most of them at Innsbruck were brown Individuals. Tree Frogs are often overlooked by standard Zoo Visitors but i think they are interesting and it is entertaining to search for a Animal and you can finaly find it.

 

[German Zoo World]

Tawny Owl

Photo made by @KevinB

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 2

As one of the most common native european Owl species, the Tawny Owl is a common sight in Zoos, i have seen this fascinating Bird at 2 Zoos. Alpine Zoo Innsbruck keeps the Tawny Owl in a lush planted and naturalistic Aviary inside of the Zoos ,Owl complex. The Tawny Owls at Innsbruck were so well hidden on my Visit, i did not find them until i looked closer and then i finaly found therm perched high up in the Trees. The other Zoo where i have seen the Tawny Owl is Opel Zoo Kronberg, where the Owls are held in a simple yet naturalistic Aviary near the Zoos Rodent House. The Aviary at Kronberg is a mixed Aviary with Himalayan Monal and on my Visit in 2024 the Owls were perched up on the Branches and the Monals were on the Floor and they seemed to get allong with each other very well, maybee because the Monal is way to large to be preyed upon by the Owls? Every one has heard the call of the Tawny Owl before, but most Zoo Vistors have never seen this Bird in real Life and so i think it is interesting to see this well camouflaged Bird in Zoos.

 

[German Zoo World]

European wild Cat

Photo made by @Nick@Amsterdam

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 4

Small Cats are fascinating Zoo Animals and i have seen the native European wild Cat at 4 Zoos. Tripsdrill Wildlife keeps a Pair inside a lush open topped Enclosure. On my last Visit in 2025, i have seen them very active roaming arround their Enclosure and one of the Cats even jumped on a Tree stump. At Alpine Zoo Innsbruck the Cats are held with in a Aviary type Enclosure with several height changes and climbing logs. The European wild Cats at Innsbruck were also very active during my last Visit in 2023. Wildnispark Langenberg in Zurich has a very special Enclosure for European wild Cats, the Enclosure at Zurich is a semi walkthrough where you are only sepperated from the Cats by piano wire. The Enclosure at Zurich is naturalistic and has many hiding spots. Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park has another naturalistic and spacious Enclosure for European wild Cats. Bad Mergentheims Wild Cats are rarely seen as they hide very often but during the Zoos feeding Tour you can see them very active, as they have to get their Food from a Hunting simulator. I have never seen a Wild Cat jumping after a dead Chick on a Zip line but at the End the Hunting Simulator goes up a Tree and then the Cat can be seen climbing the Tree to get his Chick. Some Zoos even release young Wild Cats back in to the Wild as European wild Cats are rare in many european Countrys.

 

[German Zoo World]

Gray Wolf

Photo made by @German Zoo World Eurasian Wolf at Praha Zoo

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 6
Seen Breeds/Species: Eurasian Wolf, Mongolian Wolf, Timber Wolf, Arctic Wolf

Wolves are fascinating Zoo Animals, they are active and social which makes them popular even for standard Zoo Visitors. The most common subspecies for me is the Eurasian Wolf, which i have seen at 4 Zoos. Tripsdrill Wildlife keeps a small pack inside two simple meshed Enclosures, one of which is the old Lynx Enclosure. At Hellabrunn Zoo Munich they keep another small Pack in a nice naturalistic Enclosure that was given a recent make over. The Eurasian Wolves at Alpine Zoo Innsbruck have recently moved to a new Enclosure and the former Wolf Enclosure which i have seen on my last Visit in 2023, is now Home to the Zoos Wild Boars. At Zoo Praha they keep their pack of Eurasian Wolves in a spacious naturalistic Enclosure in the Zoos northern Forests section and this is where i had a interesting Wolf Encounter. I visited the Zoo in 2018 and the Pack was very active near the viewing Window, then a family with a little Dog arrived at the Enclosure and the whole Wolf Pack did come over in a few seconds. The Wolves have tried to attack the barking Dog that jumped up on the viewing Window and some of the Wolves even stand up on their hind legs and scratching against the Windows like you can see in my Photo above. I think the Dog would not be there anymore if there would not have been a window. I never have heard of before that Wolves are such aggressive against Dogs. I have seen the rare Mongolian Wolf at one Zoo. Zurich Zoo kept a small pack in the Zoos Himalaya section but the Wolves were sadly phased out in 2023 for the Construction of the new Panthera section. Most Zoos only keep a small Pack of Wolves and so it is very impressive to see one of Europes largest Packs at Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park. Bad Mergentheim has more than 20÷ Timber Wolves in a spacious Enclosure where the Wolves can retrat easily if they want to. During the Zoos feeding Tour the Keepers even enter the Enclosure and is impressive to see the Wolves emerging from the forested part of the Enclosure to get their Food. Large Numbers of wild Birds can be seen too during the Wolf Feeding including Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven, Magpie and on my last Visit in 2025 a huge flock of both Black and Red Kites that were swooping down. Tripsdrill Wildlife also keeps a second subspecies of the Gray Wolf. Tripsdrills white Arctic Wolves have formerly been kept together with the Zoos European brown Bears. There has been a tragic accident in 2013 were a Wolf was killed by a Bear during the commentated Feeding, because the Wolf got between the Bear and his Food. Since then Trippsdrills Arctic Wolves have been moved to their own sepperate Enclosure which is sadly on the smaller Side It is important for Zoos to teach the Visitors that Wolves are no Danger to Humans if left alone and because it is interesting to watch the social structure of a Wolf Pack makes them common in many Zoos.

 

[German Zoo World]

Red Crossbill

Photo made by @TeaLovingDave Red Crossbill at Alpine Zoo Innsbruck

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 1

Native Passerines are rare in Zoos and sadly they are often overlooked by standard Zoo Visitors. Alpine Zoo Innsbruck has a large Collection of rare european Birds including my first ever Red Crossbill, Crossbills are unique looking Birds and they were way larger than i expected them to be. Innsbruck keeps a Pair of Red Crossbills in a simple Passerine Aviary in front of the large Ripparian forest free flight Aviary. Innsbrucks Crossbill Aviary is filled with live Plants that offer the Birds some hiding spots. Red Crossbills are sadly rarely kept in Zoos but i think these unique looking Passerine should be kept more often in Zoos.

 

[German Zoo World]

European red Squirrel

Photo made by @ro6ca66

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 1

Squirrels are very active, which makes them popular with Zoo Visitors. I have seen the native European red Squirrel at Pfauengarten Zoo. 10+ years ago Pfauengarten already had red Squirrels in the same Cage they are found in today. Then for some years the Squirrels were stil signed but not seen on many of my Visits. In 2023 the Squirrel Enclosure was finaly Home to Squirrels again and they were very active too. The Squirrel Enclosure at Pfauengarten has many climbing opportunitys and even a Hamster wheel which i remember was used very well by the Squirrels during my last Visit in 2024. Many Zoos that keep European red Squirrels often keep non releasable Individuals but i dont think the Squirrels at Pfauengarten Zoo are permanent Rescues. Squirrels can be very popular amongst standard Zoo Visitors but they can also be found wild on many Zoo grounds.

 

[German Zoo World]

Red Deer

Photo made by @German Zoo World European red Deer at Wildpark Oberreith

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 7

If someone says Deer most Zoo Visitors think of the often kept Red Deer which i have seen at 7 Zoos. Wildnispark Langenberg in Zurich is Home to a Herd of Red Deer which can even be seen from the Zoos Parking lot. This free Zoo keeps their Red Deer on a spacious Meadow Enclosure. Another much smaller but also free Zoo is Wildpark Weishauswald in Trier where the Deer are also held in a spacious naturalistic meadow Enclosure. Bavaria Zoo in Lohberg is yet another Zoo which keeps Red Deer in a naturalistic Enclosure. At Wildpark Oberreith, their Deer are kept in a huge Meadow Enclosure but they can be seen near the Fence like on the Photo above. At Tier und Spielpark Bichlbach they keep a handreared Red Deer named Herkules which lives in a mixed Enclosure with some four horned Sheep and other domestic Ungulates. Herkules was three Months old when he was found ill and was brought over to the Zoo and today he is a very impressive male Red Deer. Of Course you can also find a Herd of Red Deer at Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park where you can find them on the Red Deer Meadow which is since my last Visit in 2025 also shared with a Pair of Ruddy Shelduck. The Red Deer at Bad Mergentheim can also be fed by the Zoo Visitors, but only with Food which is bought at the Zoo and there are so called feeding slides where the Food slides down to the waiting Deer. During the Zoos feeding Tour the Keeper shows some Deer stags to the Visitors and they can guess how heavy they are. At Tripsdrill Wildlife, they keep a large breeding Herd of Red Deer in the spacious "Deer Valley" Enclosure. Deer Valley is half a open meadow type Enclosure but the other half is also forested and the Deer share this Enclosure with a breeding Herd of Heck Cattle. Like at Bad Mergentheim you are also allowed to feed the Red Deer at Tripsdrill but as Deer Valley is located directly next to the Zoos already mentioned Wild Boar Enclosure you can also see the Deer from the same elevated viewing Area. Red Deer espacially the Males are very impressive Animals and sadly they are seldom seen in the Wild so i think it is important to keep them in Zoos, espacially in a large breeding Herd.

 

[German Zoo World]

European Hoopoe

Photo made by @KevinB

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 2

The European Hoopoe is a unique looking native Bird, that i have seen at 2 Zoos. Wilhelma Zoo first had their Hoopoe in the Zoos small Mammal and Bird House in the African river Aviary together with other Birds such as European Beeater, Black Crake, black bellied Sandgrouse, Sudan golden Sparrow and several other Birds. But the Hoopoe was not doing well in this all indoor Aviary and so the Zoo moved it to the Pheasantarys european Aviary. The Aviary is not as spacious as the African river Aviary but the Hoopoe is much more chilled in this Aviary and is not constantly pacing from one side of the Aviary to the Other. The Hoopoes at Wilhelma are currently kept together with Song Thrush, Rosy Starling, European Turtle Dove and the rare Arabian Partridge. Seeing Birds in a free flight Aviarx is always spectacular, and at Alpine Zoo Innsbruck they are held in the huge Ibis free flight Aviary which they share with European Starling, Eurasian scops Owl, European thick Knee and of course the Zoos famous breeding flock of Northern bald Ibis. The Hoopoe is a popular native Bird that most Zoo Visitors have heard of but as he is rarely seen in the Wild it is important to keep them in Zoos, espacially in free flight Aviarys.