German Zoo Worlds Zoo Animal Report

[German Zoo World]

Pacific Walrus

Photo made by @KevinB

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 1

Walrus are huge and very impressive which makes them very popular with Zoo Visitors. I have seen the only Walrus family in a german Zoo which lives at Hagenbeck Zoo Hamburg. They are housed in the Polar Sea complex where the huge Bull Odin is kept together in a spacious Enclosure with South american fur Seal and they also have a huge and deep Pool. The other Walrus live in a sepperate Enclosure. It is very impressive to see them diving past the large underwater viewing windows which is a fascinating Zoo experience. Walrus are very popular with Zoo Visitors but sadly they are very rare in Zoos and they need large and deep Pools.

 

[German Zoo World]

Reindeer

Photo made by @German Zoo World European forest Reindeers at Praha Zoo

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 6
Seen Breeds/Species: Domestic Reindeer, European forest Reindeer

Reindeer are very popular both by Zoos and even the standard Zoo Visitors. I have seen the Domestic Reindeer at 3 Zoos. At Bavaria Zoo Lohberg they are kept in a simple standard Ungulate Enclosure. Bodenseezoo Reuthemühle also keeps their small Herd in a very simple Enclosure but i stil remember the Calves i have seen there on my Visit. On my Visit to Berlin Tierpark they stil had Domestic Reindeer but since 2021 they keep a small bachelor herd of the more endangered European forest Reindeer. I have seen the Forest Reindeer at 3 Zoos. Praha Zoo keeps a small Herd in a naturalistic Enclosure in the Zoos northern Forests section. At Augsburg Zoo they are kept in a spacious Enclosure which was previously home to Rocky mountain Goat. Another large and naturalistic Enclosure is found at Opelzoo Kronberg where they are keot in the former Moose Enclosure. Kronberg also keeps a Bachelor herd. Reindeer are popular in Zoos and also with Zoo Visitors and it is good that more and more Zoos keep the endangered European forest Reindeer.

 

[German Zoo World]

Orca

Photo made by @ZooSam Orca at Loro Parque

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 1

Orcas are fascinating and very popular even with standard Zoo Visitlrs. Currently they are only held in 3 european Zoos and i have seen these fascinating Animals at the famous Loro Parque. The show at the Zoos Orca Ocean was interesting to watch and they do also educate about Orcas in the Wild and what threats they are sadly facing. I remeber being very impressed how large they are when they jump out from the Water or when they beach themselves. It was also very impressive to see a Orca eating a whole bucket full of Fish which the Keeper threw in to the open Mouth. Currently Loro Parque is home to three Males and one Female including the rescued Morgan and her son Teno. Orcas are fsscinating Animals but sadly they are also hard to keep as they need a lot of Space and deep Pools but i think they are so impressive that it would be sad to see them getting phased out by a lot of the few Zoos that stil keep them.

 

[German Zoo World]

Moose

Photo made by @German Zoo World Moose at Alpine Zoo Innsbruck

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 6

The largest species of Deer is very popular even by standard Zoo Visitors which also makes them to popular Zoo Animals. I have seen the worlds largest Deer at 6 Zoos. Praha Zoo keeps them in a simple ungulate enclosure in the Zoos Northern Forests section. Wildnispark Langenberg in Zurich also keeps them in quite a simple Enclosure and it is incredible how close you can get to the Moose at this free Zoo where you can even enter a small Moose House with a Exhibition about Moose and a view in to the Moose stable. A very similar Enclosure is found at Alpine Zoo Innsbruck, on my last Visit in 2023 i did see Moose twins at the Zoo which is not uncommon with Moose. Bavaria Zoo Lohberg has them in a naturalistuc forested Enclosure with a big Pond as they love being in the Water. Hellabrunn Zoo Munich also keeps them in a spacious naturalistic Enclosure. The best Moose enclosure i have personally seen is the ernomous Enclosure at Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park which almost looks like a small part of forested Wildnerness. They seem to breed regularly at the Wildlife Park. The Moose at Bad Mergentheim are kept in a naturalistic forested Enclosure wich is 2 acres in size and it offers them a small Pond, interesting to know is that the Moose sepperation Enclosure and Barn was the former Hecks Horse Enclosure which already left the Zoo several years ago. Moose are large but they are also good at hiding but if you are lucky seeing them they are very impressive Zoo Animals and as they often have Twins they are also popular with standard Zoo Visitors.

 

[Wisp O' Mist]

Moose

Photo made by @German Zoo World Moose at Alpine Zoo Innsbruck

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 6

The largest species of Deer is very popular even by standard Zoo Visitors which also makes them to popular Zoo Animals. I have seen the worlds largest Deer at 6 Zoos. Praha Zoo keeps them in a simple ungulate enclosure in the Zoos Northern Forests section. Wildnispark Langenberg in Zurich also keeps them in quite a simple Enclosure and it is incredible how close you can get to the Moose at this free Zoo where you can even enter a small Moose House with a Exhibition about Moose and a view in to the Moose stable. A very similar Enclosure is found at Alpine Zoo Innsbruck, on my last Visit in 2023 i did see Moose twins at the Zoo which is not uncommon with Moose. Bavaria Zoo Lohberg has them in a naturalistuc forested Enclosure with a big Pond as they love being in the Water. Hellabrunn Zoo Munich also keeps them in a spacious naturalistic Enclosure. The best Moose enclosure i have personally seen is the ernomous Enclosure at Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park which almost looks like a small part of forested Wildnerness. They seem to breed regularly at the Wildlife Park. The Moose at Bad Mergentheim are kept in a naturalistic forested Enclosure wich is 2 acres in size and it offers them a small Pond, interesting to know is that the Moose sepperation Enclosure and Barn was the former Hecks Horse Enclosure which already left the Zoo several years ago. Moose are large but they are also good at hiding but if you are lucky seeing them they are very impressive Zoo Animals and as they often have Twins they are also popular with standard Zoo Visitors.

I find it interesting that you refer to this species as Moose here, I was under the impression that Europeans most commonly call them "Elk".

 

[German Zoo World]

I find it interesting that you refer to this species as Moose here, I was under the impression that Europeans most commonly call them "Elk".

I have thought Elk refers to the Wapiti.

 

[Wisp O' Mist]

I have thought Elk refers to the Wapiti.

It does in North America, I was just wondering why you weren't using the local name for them. Don't feel obligated to "Americanize" your speech... especially since this site was started by an Australian. Lol

 

[German Zoo World]

Wolverine

Photo made by @KevinB

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 1

The worlds largest Mustelid is a very impressive Zoo Animal and so you have to be lucky to see one as they are mostly nocturnal and rarely seen through the Day. At Hellabrunn Zoo Munich they are kept in a section with Enclosures for several eurasian Carnivores. They have several lush and naturalistic Enclosures which can be connected to give them more space. The Wolverine at Munich where very active and exploring their Enclosure on my last Visit in 2024. Wolverines are fascinating to look at espacially when they are active but sadly most Zoo Visitors often overlook them as they are mostly nocturnal.

 

[German Zoo World]

Arctic Fox

Photo made by @German Zoo World Arctic Fox at Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 2

The Arctic Fox is more active during the Day which makes him more popular for Zoos than the native Red Fox. At Opel Zoo Kronberg they keep a breeding Pair in a simple aviary type Enclosure which is located in the Zoos section for small eurasian Carnivores. Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park keeps them in a spacious and naturalistic Enclosure. You can see them most of the Time and not only during the Zoos feeding presentation. As they are very active and this even during the Day this makes them very popular both by Zoos and even standard Zoo Visitors.

 

[German Zoo World]

Eurasian Lynx

Photo made by @German Zoo World European Lynx at Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 5
Seen Breeds/Species: European Lynx, Carpathian Lynx

As one of Europes largest Carnivores the Lynx is both popular in Zoos and also by Zoo Visitors. The european subspecies is the most common kept in Zoos and i have seen them at 3 Zoos. Hellabrunn Zoo Munich keeps a breeding Pair in a simple yet naturalistic and forested aviary type Enclosure in the Zoos section for eurasian Carnivores. On my last Visit to Munich in 2024 i did see some Lynx cubs. Tripsdrill Wildlife previously kept them in a sadly quite small Enclosure on the Space of the current second Enclosure for Eurasian Wolfes which gave them more space. Currently the Lynx at Tripsdrill are kept in a new naturalistic Enclosure which sits on the space of a former Vulture aviary. At Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park they keep a small group in a spacious and naturalistic Enclosure which is so lush you can most of the Time only see them during the Zoos feeding Presentation and this is where you can see the Lynx getting fed with a Hunting Simulator that even runs up a Tree and you can even see the Lynx climbing in a Tree to get his Meat. I have seen the more spotted Carpathian Lynx at 2 Zoos. At Alpine Zoo Innsbruck they keep a breeding pair in a hilly Enclosure and on my last Visit in 2023 they had several Cubs which where active roaming arround and exploring their Enclosure. Karlsruhe Zoo kept them previously in the Zoos old fashioned Carnivore House. They were sadly kept in a small outdoor enclosure which could only be viewed from inside the Carnivore House and on my first Visit to Karlsruhe i sadly remember them pacing arround in front of the viewing window. In 2021 finally a new spacious, lush and naturalistic Enclosure for Lynx was opened with the goal to breed the Carpathian Lynx and to release them back in to the Wild. As the Lynx is endangered in many Countrys and some Zoos help with conservation programms to release them back in to the Wild they are a very popular Zoo Animal which is found in both small and large Zoos.

 

[German Zoo World]

American Bison

Photo made by @German Zoo World Plains Bison at Praha Zoo

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 7
Seen Breeds/Species: Plains Bison, Wood Bison

Bison are huge which makes them very popular amongst Zoo Visitors and of course they are another Species that was once rare but was saved only with the Help of Zoos. Most Bison in Zoos are of the Plains subspecies which i have seen at 5 Zoos. Until 2019 they were also kept by Wilhelma Zoo in a simple Ungulate Enclosure but they where phased out to make room for the asian ungulate Enclosure. Many Zoos keep them in simple Ungulate enclosures like at Nuremburg Zoo and this is because they can live outside all year round. Hagenbeck Zoo Hamburg keeps their herd in a small north american section and their Enclosure is themed with Totem Poles. Praha Zoo keeps a Herd including a very impressive Bull in a simple yet spacious Ungulate enclosure in the Zoos Plains section and the Bison at Praha are mixed with sadly wing clipped giant canada Goose. I had a true Wild West feeling at Serengeti Park Hodenhagens drive through North America Enclosure where they are mixed with Elk. It looked like some Pictures from Yellowstone National Park with Bison walking over the Street and they seem not bothered at all by the presence of Cars and the Safari Bus Tour which i took. I have seen the larger and also rarer Wood Bison at 2 Zoos. At Berlin Tierpark they are kept right next to the European Bison which allows to compare two different species of Bison which is a rare sight in todays Zoos. Hellabrunn Zoo Munich keeps their Herd in a huge naturalistic Enclosure which is shared with Barnacle Goose. Bison are a true Zoo success Story which makes them to both popular and famous Zoo Animals.

 

[German Zoo World]

Snapping Turtle

Photo made by @KevinB

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 4
Seen Breeds/Species: Common snapping Turtle, Alligator snapping Turtle

Snapping Turtles are very impressive Zoo Reptiles that are often kept in Zoos because they got rescued and brought to the Zoo as they got to large for their previous Owners. I have seen the common snapping Turtle at 2 Zoos. Sadly they are often kept in way to small Tanks even when they do not move arround much they should have more Space in many Zoos that keep them. Neu Ulm Reptile Zoo keeps a Snapping Turtle in a small fully aquatic Tank which should be enlarged to give the large Turtle more Space. Imagine one large Snapping Turtle in a small Tank but at Herpetarium Landau i have seen both several common and also Alligator snapping Turtles in a Pool as small as a Bath Tube which was also part of a overcrowded all indoor mixed species Enclosure which is shared with Green Iguana, Black and white Teju and even some Common Marmosetts. The even larger Alligator snapping Turtle was as i already said also kept inside this Enclosure. At Neu Ulm Reptile Zoo a smaller Individual was kept in a similar sized Tank as the common snapping Turtle which is kept right next to it and both should get larger Tanks. Leipzig Zoo had a huge Individual which was at one point one of the Zoos oldest Animals and i remember the Alligator snapping Turtle being kept in one of the first Tanks of the Zoos Terrarium, but as the Zoo currently refurbished the Terrarium in the past few Years the Individual was kept of show but they sadly phased the Turtle out in 2024. At Frankfurt Zoo the Turtle was first kept in the Reptile section of the Zoos Exotarium building but several Zoo Visitors requested a new larger Tank for the absolutley impressive Turtle which was then moved in to one of the largest Tanks in the Exotariums Aquarium section. The Tank at Frankfurt looks very naturalistic and you could almost mean the large Turtle looks like a Rock because they are rarely moving arround. The Alligator snapping Turtle at Frankfurt shares its Tank with Tench and Rainbow Shiner which are hopefully to small to be eaten by the Turtle. Snapping Turtles are very popular with Zoo Visitors even when they do not move arround at all and they are often kept by Zoos as they have to take Care of rescued Individuals which makes them to common Reptiles in Zoos.

 

[FBBird]

American Bison

Photo made by @German Zoo World Plains Bison at Praha Zoo

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 7
Seen Breeds/Species: Plains Bison, Wood Bison

Bison are huge which makes them very popular amongst Zoo Visitors and of course they are another Species that was once rare but was saved only with the Help of Zoos. Most Bison in Zoos are of the Plains subspecies which i have seen at 5 Zoos. Until 2019 they were also kept by Wilhelma Zoo in a simple Ungulate Enclosure but they were phased out to make room for the asian ungulate Enclosure. Many Zoos keep them in simple Ungulate enclosures like at Nuremburg Zoo and this is because they can live outside all year round. Hagenbeck Zoo Hamburg keeps their herd in a small north american section and their Enclosure is themed with Totem Poles. Praha Zoo keeps a Herd including a very impressive Bull in a simple yet spacious Ungulate enclosure in the Zoos Plains section and the Bison at Praha are mixed with sadly wing clipped giant canada Goose. I had a true Wild West feeling at Serengeti Park Hodenhagens drive through North America Enclosure where they are mixed with Elk. It looked like some Pictures from Yellowstone National Park with Bison walking over the Street and they seem not bothered at all by the presence of Cars and the Safari Bus Tour which i took. I have seen the larger and also rarer Wood Bison at 2 Zoos. At Berlin Tierpark they are kept right next to the European Bison which allows to compare two different species of Bison which is a rare sight in todays Zoos. Hellabrunn Zoo Munich keeps their Herd in a huge naturalistic Enclosure which is shared with Barnacle Goose. Bison are a true Zoo success Story which makes them to both popular and famous Zoo Animals.

‘Sadly wing clipped’? How would you accommodate geese of that size? I’m just grateful somebody is still working with that taxon.

 

[German Zoo World]

‘Sadly wing clipped’? How would you accommodate geese of that size? I’m just grateful somebody is still working with that taxon.

Sorry but i prever to see them in Aviarys rather than open topped Enclosures but i also respect you as they are a Species rarely found in european Zoos..

 

[German Zoo World]

Striped Skunk

Photo made by @KevinB

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 1

Skunks are mostly nocturnal and so they can be quite hard to see but most Skunks in Zoos can also be seen during the Day. At Heidelberg Zoo they keep a Pair in a simple yet lush Enclosure in the Zoos Carnivore House and i remember that i saw some active Skunks exploring their Enclosure during my last Visit. Skunks are interesting smaller Carnivores but sadly they are quite rare in Zoos at least in my Area. Most Zoo Visitors do often overlook them as they are mostly nocturnal but it can be very entertaining to watch some active Skunks.

 

[Wisp O' Mist]

Striped Skunk

Photo made by @KevinB

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 1

Skunks are mostly nocturnal and so they can be quite hard to see but most Skunks in Zoos can also be seen during the Day. At Heidelberg Zoo they keep a Pair in a simple yet lush Enclosure in the Zoos Carnivore House and i remember that i saw some active Skunks exploring their Enclosure during my last Visit. Skunks are interesting smaller Carnivores but sadly they are quite rare in Zoos at least in my Area. Most Zoo Visitors do often overlook them as they are mostly nocturnal but it can be very entertaining to watch some active Skunks.

They aren't particularly common in North American zoos either, for much the same reasons as I previously noted for Racoons.

 

[German Zoo World]

They aren't particularly common in North American zoos either, for much the same reasons as I previously noted for Racoons.

Interesting to know thanks for your informations.

 

[German Zoo World]

West indian Manatee

Photo made by @KevinB

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 2

Manatees are very popular Zoo Animals that are sadly rare in Zoos but it is interesting to see that european Zoos keep breeding groups while north american Zoos focus on only keeping rescued and non releasable Individuals. I have seen the Manatee at 2 Zoos including at Berlin Tierpark which kept them until 2019 in a tiny concrete Pool inside the Tierparks Pachyderm House and they were kept together with several species of small south american freshwater fishes. Berlin phased them out because of the old fashioned Enclosure and because they currently work on refurbishing the Pachyderm House. At Nuremburg Zoo they are of course held in the Zoos Manatee House and they are best viewed through the huge underwater viewing windows in the Zoos Blue Salon building where you can see them upclose. Nuremburg mixes them with several species of large south american freshwater Fishes including Black Pacu and Redtail Catfish. Manatees are huge and very impressive but most Visitors find them popular because of their cute Heads but sadly they are rare in Zoos because they need a huge and deep Pool.

 

[German Zoo World]

Mountain Lion

Photo made by @KevinB

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 1

The Mountain Lion is not only a popular Zoo Animal but it also has so much different Names like Puma, Cougar and so much more. Fore some reasaon they are sadly quite rare in Zoos in my Area and i have only seen them once at Berlin Tierpark which phased the last Individuals out in 2015 for the refurbishment of the famous Alfred Brehm building which is the current Rainforest House. I did stil see the old Alfred Brehm building including the sadly outdated but today already long gone Rows of Cat Cages including one for Mountain Lion which could have even been of the rare Montana subspecies which was held at the Time. Mountain Lions are majestic Zoo Animals but for some Reason they are more rare in Zoos than other Cat species and i think it would be cool to see more Mountain Lions in Zoos.

 

[German Zoo World]

North american tree Porcupine

Photo made by @MagpieGoose

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 2

The Tree Porcupine can also easiliy be seen during the day and because of their cute appereance they are very popular even by standard Zoo Visitors. I have seen them at 2 Zoos. Bodenseezoo Reuthemühle keeps them in simple yet spacious Aviary with a climbing frame. At Hagenbeck Zoo Hamburg they are also kept in the same small North American section that was already mentioned in the American Bison entry. The Tree Porcupines at Hamburg are actually held right in front of the Bison Enclosure creating a panoramic View and they are mixed with Black tailed prairie Dog. You can also have a peek inside of the sleeping box of the Tree Porcupine at Hamburg. Tree Porcupines are fascinating Zoo Animals and espacially when they are active and or in a mixed species Enclosure they can also be entertaining to look at.