German Zoo Worlds Zoo Animal Report

[German Zoo World]

European Perch

Photo made by @KevinB

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 4

The Perch is one of the most popular native freshwater Fish which is also often kept in Zoos and i have seen them in 4 Zoos. Of course the Perch is kept in the Danube tunnel at Ulm Zoo where they are mixed with several other native Species of freshwater Fish in a spacious and naturalistic Tank. The Perch is also found at Wilhelma Zoos Aquarium/Terrarium building temperate zone where they are kept in the Tank already mentioned in the Pike entry and they are mixed together with Pike Perch, European Eel and of course the Northern Pike. At Alpine Zoo Innsbruck the Perch are kept in the Zoos Aquarium building and they are kept together with Crucian Carp. Zurich Zoo keeps them in a nice natural Aquarium tank on the opposite side to the indoor viewing of the Eurasian river Otter enclosure. Zurich keeps their Perch together with European Eel. The Perch is a nice looking native freshwater Fish that can get huge too which makes them popular both with Zoos and Zoo Visitors.

 

[German Zoo World]

Greater Flamingo

Photo made by @German Zoo World Greater Flamingos at Wilhelma Zoo

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 6

Flamingos are very popular Zoo Birds that are well known even by most Zoo Visitors but i sadly heard on my last Visit at Hellabrunn Zoo Munich from a male Zoo Visitor look at these big pink things and i did only think did he really not know this are Flamingos anymore?. The Greater Flamingo is the most often kept Species in Zoos and this is mainly due to them also living in some mediterranean Countrys including France and Spain. Flamingos are large Birds that should be kept in Aviarys but sadly there are stil many Zoo Enclosures with wing clipped Birds. Wilhelma Zoo keps thehir small Flock in a simple yet naturalistic Enclosure, previously they were also mixed with White headed Duck. Another very simple simple Enclosure which is only for a few Birds is found at Pfauengarten Zoo where they are kept in the Enclosure already mentioned in the Turkey entry and they share this Enclosure with Bronze Turkey. White Peafowl and African grey crowned Crane. At Serengeti Park Hodenhagen you can sadly only see them for a few Seconds as i did do the Bus Tour and on the other side was the Enclosure for Cheetah but the Flamingo Enclosure at Hodenhagen was also very simple. Augsburg Zoo has a huge Flock in a spacious naturalistic Enclosure yet it is sadly open topped which means the Flamingos at Augsburg have to be wing clipped. The spacious Pond enclosure at Augsburg is shared with several Species of Waterfowl and you can also view the Flock in their Winter indoor holding enclosure. In 2022 the Flamingo enclosure at Hellabrunn Zoo Munich was changed in to a naturalistic huge Aviary and in 2023 the Zoo phased out their Flock of Caribbean Flamingos as they had some hybrids in the past and the Zoo decided to only keep a large lively flock of Greater Flamingos. At Blühendes Barrock Ludwigsburg they keep a small flock of Flamingos inside of the huge mediterranean free flight Aviary. Most of the time the Flamingos are found at their Pool near the Exit of the free flight Aviary but i think they can use the whole space of the Aviary. Greater Flamingos are colourfull, lively Zoo Birds that are very popular both with Zoo Visitors and Zoos.

 

[German Zoo World]

European Eel

Photo made by @vogelcommando

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 1

Eels are fascinating Fish, but they are also very good at hiding which means i have visited several Zoos that keep them but i stil have seen them at only 1 Zoo. It was a fascinating Zoo experience to see a Eel swimming out in the open Water at Ulm Zoos Danube tunnel. Eels are mostly nocturnal so i realized how lucky i was as i have ner seen an Eel before. The European Eel is sadly endangered in many Countrys and bred Eels are released in to the Wild to establish a new healthy Population. Eels are found in both Fresh and Saltwater and they can even walk over Land for a short Period of Time which makes them popular in Zoos but as a Zoo Visitor you need to be very lucky to catch a glimbse of an Eel but if you are lucky you can see how bizarre the Eel is.

 

[Paul.Haerle]

Mandarin Duck

Photo made by @German Zoo World Mandarin Duck at Blühendes Barrock Ludwigsburg

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 5

The Mandarin Duck is one of the most common species of Waterfowl in Zoos, i have seen them in 5 Zoos. Escaped Mandarin Ducks from Zoos can today be found in many larger Citys. At Blühendes Barrock Ludwigsburg they are kept in a sepperate Aviary inside of the huge Mediterranean free flight Aviary but there is also a freeroaming Population of Mandarin Ducks at the Zoo which i have even seen in the Zoos Fairytale garden fountain display. At Zurich Zoo they are of course kept in the Selenga Wetlands walk through Enclosure which is both spacious and naturalistic but this also means the Ducks are sadly wing clipped. I prever to see the Mandarin Duck like most other Birds in a free flight Aviary rather than in an open topped Enclosure. Another open topped Enclosure is found at Göppingen Zoo which also sadly means the Birds need to be wing clipped. At Göppingen they are kept in a simple Waterfowl pond where they are mixed with Indian runner Duck, Carolina wood Duck, Bar headed Goose and east african crowned Crane. On my last Visit to Tripsdrill Wildlife in 2025 i noticed they added some new Bird species to the former White Stork Aviary including some stunning Mandarin Ducks. Tripsdrill mixes them in a simple yet spacious Aviary with Ringed Teal, Ring necked Pheasant, Black crowned night Heron and northern bald Ibis. Wilhelma Zoo has switched them arround the Zoo alot in recent Years. I remember them sharing a nice tropical lush planted Aviary with Edwards Pheasant and they where signed but not seen together in the Aviary with the Zoos rare oriental white Stork. Currently and since my last two Visits to Wilhelma they are kept in the naturalistic Asian free flight Aviary where they are mixed with a lot of other interesting species of south east asian Birds. Espacially the male Mandarin Ducks are popular even with the average Zoo Visitor and i think they are a nice species for wetland Aviarys.

Ruff

Photo made by @KevinB

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 1

The breeding display of the male Ruff is a spectacular nature event and i have seen them at 1 Zoo. Wilhelma Zoo only keeps them since 2025 but they were also previously kept at the Zoo until 2011. On my last Visit in 2025 i noticed some Females which are held in the spacious and naturalistic european free flight Aviary. I am not sure if Wilhelma Zoo does also keep male Ruffs but i think they are a nice new Species to the european free flight Aviary. A large flock of both male and female Ruffs can be very entertaining to watch for standard Zoo Visitors but sadly these fascinating Birds are often overlooked by the Zoo Visitors espacially when they are not in breeding plumage.

They aren’t in Augsburg anymore?
Or you didn’t see them?

 

[German Zoo World]

They aren’t in Augsburg anymore?
Or you didn’t see them?

I think i have not seen them on my Visits to Augsburg.

 

[German Zoo World]

European pond Turtle

Photo made by @German Zoo World European pond Turtles at Herpetarium Landau

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 7

The european pond Turtle is endangered in many Countrys and they have to compete against the invasive Yellow bellied and red eared Slider. This makes them popular in Zoos and i have seen them at 7 Zoos. Ulm Zoo kept them for Years in the current Fiery Salamander/ small native freshwater Fish Palaudarium but i have not seen them at Ulm since a few 7Years ago maybee they are kept of show, have left the Park and were phased out? Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park keeps their Turtles inside of a nice natural pond Enclosure which is located on the space of a former walk through Enclosure for Barbary Macaques. Herpetarium Landau keeps them in a quite similar Enclosure located in the outdoor section for natuve Herps. At Alpine Zoo Innsbruck they are actually kept in a open topped Enclosure outside of the Zoos Aqua/Terrarium building but the Turtles main viewing Area is located in the Building. Wilhelma Zoo of course keeps them in one their outdoor Terrariums for native Herps and they are mixed with Grass Snake, Green Lizard, Ocellated Lizard and Starred Agama. The Pond Turtles at Wilhelma also have a small Pond and some branches to sun themselves on. At Tripsdrill Wildlife they are mixed together with Yellow bellied and Red eared Slider in a spacious series of naturalistic Ponds that is desgined as a walk through through Enclosure for the Zoo Visitors but the Pond Turtles and the Sliders are of course kept in different Ponds. Opel Zoo Kronberg keeps their Pond Turtles in two different Enclosures, first they are also kept in a simple yet naturalistic outdoor Terrarium but they are also kept in a small Pond inside of a simple Aviary which is shared with Yellow crowned Bishop, European turtle Dove and yellow necked Spurfowl and there are a lot of Turtles inside of this Aviary. Some Zoos breed them to release them in to the Wild and i think it is important to know for Zoo Visitors to not release their Slider Pets in the Wild and Pond Turtles are also often kept in Zoos to show them this Problem.

 

[German Zoo World]

Northern Lapwing

Photo made by @KevinB

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 2

The Northern Lapwing is one of the most popular Wading/Shore birds in Zoos and i have seen them at 2 Zoos. At Zurich Aviary Mythenquai they are kept in a naturalistic lush planted Aviary together with different Bird species from arround the World. For a small free Aviary Zurich has several rare Species and they are mostly kept in spacious and naturalistic Aviarys. At Wilhelma Zoo the Lapwing is kept in a sepperate Aviary inside the complex for free flight Aviarys. The Lapwings at Wilhelma are kept in a naturalistic Wetland aviary but the Inhabitants where changed regular in the last 2 to 3 years. 2 years ago this was a european Aviary and the Lapwing was mixed with Chaffinch, Corncrake, Common Teal and European turtle Dove. Only the Chaffinch and the Teal are stil mixed with the Lapwing, the last Corncrake was sadly phased out or passed away in 2024 and the Dove was moved to the Pheasantary. Currently the Lapwing is mixed with several Duck species from arround the World and the already mentioned Chaffinch and Common Teal. Some Zoos have release programms for Lapwing chicks that have hatched at the Zoo and as they are a endangered Species it is important that these Birds are kept in Zoos.

 

[German Zoo World]

Pied Avocet

Photo made by @KevinB

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 4

As one of the most common Shore/Wading Birds in Zoos i have seen the Pied Avocet at 4 Zoos. They can be mixed with many other Birds and this means they are often kept in large free flight Aviarys like at Augsburg Zoo where they are kept in a large naturalistic Aviary together with mostly eurasian Shore/Wader Birds, several Ducks, Inca Terns and several other Birds. At Heidelberg Zoo they are kept in the Coastal Panorama/Sea Bird free flight Aviary which even includes a Wave machine and Beach Chairs. Heidelberg mixes their Avocet with Shore/Waders from arround the World and several other Birds. At Luisenpark Mannheim they are kept in a simple Wader aviary together with Common Teal, Northern Lapwing, European Oystercatcher and Black crowned night Heron. Another simple walk through Aviary that was already mentioned in the Beeater entry is found at Frankfurt Zoo where they are of course kept together with European Beeaters. A large and lively Flock of Pied Avocets can be entertaining to watch even for the standard Zoo Visitor.

 

[German Zoo World]

European Spoonbill

Photo made by @vogelcommando

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 3

The Spoonbill is easily on of the most bizarre looking native Birds which i have seen at 3 Zoos. Wilhelma Zoo keeps their Spoonbill inside of the spacious european free flight Aviary that was already mentioned in several of my other entrys. At Augsburg Zoo they live in a Aviary which is connected to the Zoos Bird/Tropical House and there you can also view the indoor Enclosure. Augsburg mixes them with Ringed Teal, western Cattle egret, Little Egret, Roseate Spoonbill and Hammerkop. Zurich Zoo keeps their Spoonbill in a simple yet naturalistic Aviary which is shared with Northern bald Ibis. The Spoonbill is a fascinating native Bird species and their unique look makes them popular both by Zoos and Zoo Visitors.

 

[German Zoo World]

Pelican

Photo made by @German Zoo World Eastern white Pelican at Wilhelma Zoo

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 8
Seen Breeds/Species: Dalmatian Pelican, Eastern white Pelican

Pelicans are easily one of the most well known and impressive Zoo Birds. The Eastern white Pelican is the most common Pelican species in Zoos, sadly most Zoos stil have to keep wing clipped Pelicans as it is hard to build such an large Aviary but most of the time they are also kept in spacious naturalistic Pond or Wetland Enclosures.Until 2022 they were also kept at Heidelberg Zoo which kept them on the African Savannah together with Helmeted Guineafowl, Burchells Zebra, Blesbok and until 2023 they also kept Greater Kudus but the Pelicans already left the Zoo in 2022 and they were replaced with the more endangered Dalmatian Pelican but they are now kept on the Flamingo pond instead of the Savannah. Hellabrunn Zoo Munich is the only Zoo i have been to that keeps their Flock in a Aviary like structure which means they do not have to be wing clipped anymore. On my last Visit in 2024 i even saw them building Nests and one of the Nests had some Eggs inside. Pfauengarten Zoo has a single Pelican that lives on the Zoos Waterfowl Pond where they keep the Bird together with Domestic Duck, Red eared Slider, Egyptian Goose and Black Swan. I stil remember that on one of my Visits a elemantary school age girl tried to pet the Pelican which was sleeping near the Fence but then the Pelican opened his huge Bill and he tried to peck after the Girl which was crying and running away. Wilhelma Zoo keeps a small Flock on a simple Pond and until recently they where also kept together with Great Cormorant but on my last Visit in 2025 i did not see a single Cormorant anymore. It is fascinating how close you can get to Wilhelmas Pelicans. Opel Zoo Kronberg and Frankfurt Zoo keep their Flocks on the large mixed Waterfowl Ponds already mentioned in the Goose entry. The second species of Pelican i have seen is the Dalmatian Pelican which is much rarer in Zoos than the Eastern white Pelican. At Augsburg Zoo which is Home to both Eastern white and Dalmatian Pelicans they are kept on a huge naturalistic Pond which was also home to White naped Crane until the last Crane was send to another Zoo in 2023. The Pelican Enclosure at Augsburg is stil home to several other Species of Waterfowl and you can also view the Pelicans in their indoor Enclosure. Karlsruhe Zoo has a large Waterfowl collection including both Eastern white and Dalmatian Pelicans. Most of the Waterfowl and both of the Pelican species stil need to be wing clipped but the Birds are kept free roaming in the whole Zoo which makes the wing clipping at Karlsruhe not as bad as in other Zoos as Karlsruhes Flocks can freely decide where to stay in the Zoo. Pelicans are very impressive Zoo Birds which makes them popular by both Zoos and Zoo Visitors but i think it would be cool if more Zoos would keep the endangered Dalmatian Pelican.

 

[German Zoo World]

Atlantic Puffin

Photo made by @Daniel Sörensen

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 1

The Puffin is a popular Seabird that most Zoo Visitors know about but sadly they are quite hard to keep and so i have only seen them at 1 Zoo. Planet Penguin at Loro Parque is one of the most spectacular Zoo Buildings i have ever seen and the Puffin enclosure iat Loro Parque s no exception. The Puffins at Loro Parque can be seen above and below the Water and it is spectacular to see the "Penguins of the North" flying under the Surface. Loro Parque is also one of the few Zoos that have managed to breed the Puffin. Puffins are spectacular and popular even with standard Zoo Visitors but sadly they are rarely kept in Zoos because of their special Needs.

 

[German Zoo World]

Harbour Seal

Photo made by @German Zoo World Harbour Seal at Augsburg Zoo

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 5

Pinnipeds are very popular Zoo Animals and i have seen the native Harbour Seal at 5 Zoos. Karlsruhe Zoo keeps a Pair in a sadly quite small Enclosure that should be connected to the California sea Lion Enclosure as both Species could be mixed together to give them more Space and Enrichment. Augsburg Zoo also keeps their Seals in a old fashioned Enclosure with a shallow Pool that can be viewed from the historic Goggelesbridge which acts as the viewing area. Yet another Zoo with a old fashioned yet also naturalistic Enclosure can be found at Zurich Zoo where you can even view the Seals underwater through porthole themed viewing windows. At Nuremburg Zoo they share the big Pinniped pool in the Zoos Aqua Park section with California sea Lion. A spectacular Pinniped enclosure are the Seal Cliffs at Frankfurt Zoo. This Enclosure looks very naturalistic and you can watch the Harbour Seals which are mixed with South african fur Seal through large underwater viewing windows. It is always a spectacular sight to see Pinnipeds actually swimming and diving in a deep Pool. I even saw the Harbour Seals getting fed by a Keeper during my Visit. Harbour Seals are a popular Zoo Animal but i think some Seal Enclosures at Zoos should be enlarged and modernized.

 

[German Zoo World]

Bigscale Scorpionfish

Photo made by @German Zoo World Bigscale Scorpionfish at Sea Life Konstanz

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 2

Scorpionfish are huge, impressive and venemous which makes them popular for Zoos and Aquariums. I have seen the Bigscale Scorpionfish at 2 Zoos. Sea Life Konstanz had 2 huge Individuals in a sadly quite small Tank which was also shared with a Mediterranean moray Eel. At Wilhelma Zoo they are of course kept in the Zoos Aquarium/Terrarium building temperate Zone. The Scorpionfish at Wilhelma are kept in a Tank for Predatory Fish of the Mediterranean Sea where they are kept together with Goldline, Black Scorpionfish and Goldblotch Grouper. The Bigscale Scorpionfish is very impressive which makes him popular even by standard Zoo Visitors.

 

[German Zoo World]

Common Octopus

Photo made by @KevinB

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 2

Octopus are very popular in Zoos and Aquariums if you are lucky to see them as they are true masters of camouflage. I have seen the Octopus at 2 Zoos. Wilhelma Zoo keeps them in quite a simple Tank in the Zoos Aquarium/Terrarium building temperate zone . I have rarely seen the Octopus on several of my Visits to Wilhelma but it was very spectacular as i have seen one out in the open on my last Visit in 2025. Sea Life London Aquarium was the only Zoo i have visited in the United Kingdom. I think it was more special than other Sea Life Centres i have visited previously and i remember that in the North sea/Atlantic zone there was an spacious Tank for an Common Octopus and it was fascinating to see a large Octopus actually swimming arround its Tank. Octopus are highly intelligent and some Zoos even have public feeding times for the Octopus and if you are lucky an active Octopus can be one of the most fascinating Aquarium animals to watch even for standard Zoo visitors.

 

[German Zoo World]

Atlantic Lumpfish

Photo made by @Lucas Lang

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 1

This unnusual looking Fish is most well known from Restaurants but most Zoo Visitors have never seen a Lumpfish alive. I have seen the Lumpfish at Sea Life Konstanz where they are kept in a Tank for coldwater Fish near the Gentoo Penguin Enclosure. I remember that the Lumpfish at Konstanz where mixed with a Species of Wolf Eel but sadly i dont remember the exact Species which was kept at the Aquarium. I think it would be cool to see the Lumpfish in more Zoos/Aquariums but sadly they need special cold water for their Tanks which makes them to a uncommon sight in Zoos or Aquariums.

 

[German Zoo World]

Mediterranean moray Eel

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 2

Moray Eels are another one of the Zoo Animals that are good at hiding but when you see them out in the open Water they are fascinating to watch. I have seen the mediterranean moray at 2 Zoos. Sea Life Konstanz had a smaller Individual in the same sadly cramped Tank like the Scorpionfish which was already mentioned in my Scorpionfish entry. At Wilhelma Zoo they are kept in one of the most impressive Tanks at the Zoos Aquarium/Terrarium building temperate zone. They have shared this Tank previously with some kind of Sea Bream but they stil share this Tank with a huge Dusky Grouper which already lives at the Zoo since more than 30 years by now making him one of the oldest Animals at Wilhelma Zoo. On many of my previous Visits to Wilhelma Zoo i did only see the head of a Moray sticking out between the Rocks or sometimes the Moray Eel was so good at hiding that i did see nothing during some of my Visits. On my last Visit in 2025 i saw an impressive huge Moray Eel swimming out in the open Water which was a absolutley fascinating sight. I had never thought before that the mediterranean moray can get so large. Moray Eels are very impressive Zoo Animals and espacially if you are lucky to actually see one swimming arround it is a spectacular sight.

 

[German Zoo World]

Tub Gurnard

Photo made by @KevinB

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 1

The Tub Gurnard is yet another native Fish species that is more known by most Zoo Visitors from a Restaurant than the actual living Animal. Previously they were also kept at Wilhelma Zoos Aquarium/Terrarium building temperate zone but sadly the last Individuals passed away in 2023 and the Zoo did not replace them. The Gurnard at Wilhelma was kept in a Tank for north sea/Atlantic fishes and they were mixed with Black Sole, Atlantic Cod and five bearded Rockling. I remeber that on one of my Visits in 2019 i saw a very active Gurnard swimming arround and exploring its Tank. The Gurnard is a interesting Fish which i think should not be overlooked by the Zoo Visitors as they have interesting behavior and they can produce sounds which should make them also more popular for Zoos and Aquariums.

 

[German Zoo World]

Great Cormorant

Photo made by @German Zoo World Great Cormorants at Wilhelma Zoo

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 4

Cormorants are popular in Zoos because of the conflict with the fishing industry which thinks the Birds destroy whole fish populations which is of course not true. I have never seen a Cormorant in a free flight Aviary which sadly means most Cormorants in Zoos are wing clipped. I stil remember the time very well when Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park stil had a small flock of Great Cormorant. They were kept in a simple beach themed Enclosure which sadly currently sits empty. I think the Birds have been phased out a few Years ago maybee because of wing clipping. During the Zoos feeding Presentation i found it spectacular every Time how good they are at both diving and swimming and it was even more spectacular as you could see a Cormorant which ate a complete European Eel and you could see how the Bird eats the whole Fish and this in fewer time than a full minute. Opelzoo Kronberg keeps their Cormorant on the Waterfowl pond already mentioned in the Goose and Pelican entrys. Wilhelma Zoo also keeps them together with the Zoos Eastern white Pelican on a simple Pond Enclosure but i sadly did not see any Cormorants during my last Visit in 2025. At Augsburg Zoo they are kept on one of the huge naturalistic Pond Enclosures which they share with several Species of Waterfowl including Red breasted Goose and Bar headed Goose aswell as some Reeves Muntjac which mostly hide in the dense natural Foliage. Cormorants are fascinating Zoo Birds as during a public feeding they can be as entertaining to look at as Penguins but sadly more and more Zoos seem to phase them out mostly because of wing clipping but i think think if more Zoos would keep them in a spacious free flight Aviary they would be very popular by both Zoos and even standard Zoo Visitors.

 

[German Zoo World]

Atlantic Cod

Photo made by @KevinB

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 1

Cods are very impressive Fish that can get huge but most Zoo Visitors mostly only know them from Restaurants. Wilhelma Zoo only keeps smaller sized Individuals as their Tank in the Zoos Aquarium/Terrarium building temperate zone is not the largest but for smaller Individuals it is stil a adequate Tank. Currently they are mixed with Black Sole and five bearded Rockling but previously they have also been kept together with Atlantic Wolffish until 2022 and Tub Gurnard until 2023. Cods are best known on the dinner plate from a Restaurant and most Zoo Visitors do not know how the real life Fish looks like and so it would be great to see the Cod in more Zoos and Aquariums.

 

[German Zoo World]

Polar Bear

Photo made by @German Zoo World Polar Bear at Karlsruhe Zoo

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 7

The Polar Bear is one of the most popular Zoo Animals by Zoo Visitors but they need huge, naturalistic Enclosures with Enrichment and sadly not all Zoos that keep Polar Bears keep them in modern Enclosures. I have seen them at 7 Zoos including at Wilhelma Zoo where Corinna the last Polar Bear sadly passed away in 2018. She was the mother of the famous Polar Bear cub Wilbär which sadly passed away in 2024 in another Zoo. Wilbärs father Anton sadly already passed away in 2014 after he digested several items which were thrown in to his Enclosure. Currently the former Polar Bear Enclosure is used as breeding Enclosure for the Zoos Cheetah. The Enclosure at Wilhelma was old fashioned and sadly there are stil Enclosures like this used for Polar Bears like at the otherwise excellent Praha Zoo which keeps a 2 Individuals in a badly outdated Enclosure. But Praha is currently working on a new Polar Bear complex which should open in 2029. The Polar Sea complex at Hagenbeck Zoo in Hamburg only opened in 2012 but stil their Polar Bear Enclosure is way to small because it was planed as a Predator/Prey setup with the Pinniped Enclosure in the foreground. Currently Hamburg is Home to two male Bears. Berlin Tierpark is yet another Zoo with a old fashioned Polar Bear Enclosure. Currently Berlin is only Home to Females Tonja and Hertha. Karlsruhe Zoos Polar Bear Enclosure also has a fake mock rock part but the Bears Kap and Nuka aswell as Mika which was born in 2024 also have a zone with grass and natural substrate. Nuremburg Zoo also keeps Polar Bears in their Aqua Park section where they are kept in two Enclosures a smaller rocky shore Enclosure and a larger grass one. Currently Nuremburg Zoo is Home to 3 female Polar Bears. At Hellabrunn Zoo Munich the Polar Bears can choose between their old fake mock rock Enclosure or the new grass Enclosure which looks a lot more natural. The newer Grass Enclosure was the former Musk Ox Enclosure and i remember that in my 2019 Visit a Bear played with a Ball in this Enclosure which was fascinating to watch. Polar Bears are fascinating Zoo Animals but they need good Enclosures as they sadly pace arround very fast and i think it is hard for most Zoos to build a new Polar Bear Enclosure as they need a lot of Space.