Krefeld: Zoo

Krefeld: Zoo

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On the first weekend in September, we find our way to Krefeld to visit the zoo, well known from media.

The Zoo Krefeld has become famous for keeping and breeding successes in rare animal species and the construction of trend-setting animal houses.

Even though there are still some stains (as in every zoo) and (at present) not all animals can be optimally housed, the zoo is one of the highlights in the dense zoo world of North Rhine Westphalia.

The zoo originated from a former private animal park from the 1840s. The Krefeld factory family de Greiff had acquired the estates and the buildings of the Grotenburg farm and turned them into their personal summer residence. Of course, a befitting castle was not to be missed. This is now a listed building.

On an area of ??about 14 hectares lives today 1,200 animals from 180 species. For well-being and care of animals and green spaces, for species-appropriate husbandry and an attractive presentation of the  Zoo company ....

.... is a team of 63 full-time employees responsible, including 27 animal keepers, four gardeners and three craftsmen who take care of everyday repairs and small construction projects.

As the first exotic eye-catcher behind the entrance, the monkey cliff in the pont attracts the attention. On this rock, frolicking a family of the Hamadryas baboon . Visitors sitting around on benches can watch the baboons in their daily business.

Directly in front of the rainforest house is the walk-in enclosure of the penguins, which also inhabit cinnamon tails, Ringed teal ducks and Inca terns.

The Penguin Pool was built in 2014 and is modeled on the natural habitat of the Humboldt Penguins. A path leads over the 550 square meters of land on a bridge. From there, the penguins can be observed from above during their swimming lessons.

In no zoo we have so far found such a wonderful facility for the talented little swimmers.

In the rainforest house, which shows the habitat "South American tropical forest", one encounters sloths. Flower bats and free-flying birds.

In enclosures live anacondas, caimans and other reptiles. Because of the free-roaming small monkey species, one should have secured his glasses, caps, etc. very well.

Following the rainforest house is the butterfly jungle with about 40 butterflies species of from South America, Africa and Asia on 145 sqm. From late October to early April there are no butterflies (due to the high light requirements of the moths) to see.

In addition to the "normal" animal presentation seasonally appropriate actions and events are now part of the annual program of the zoo.

The Spring Festival with the opening of the Butterfly House is followed at the end of April by the Walpurgis Night for children and adults in witch and wizard costumes.

Throughout the year night safaris and bat safaris are organized in the nocturnal dark zoo.

In November, the Zoo invites to St. Martin for a torchlight procession and in December for a visit to St. Nicholas and a Christmas tour to shorten the children's waiting for the Christ Child.

The zoo barn is currently hosting a painting exhibition of African works by artists from Zimbabwe. The works of art, as well as the sculptures, can be purchased directly.

In addition, the people responsible for the zoo in Krefeld are thinking in particular of the close-to-nature and lively education for children, adolescents and adults.

At the zoo school, which was founded in 1985, school classes are first taught about ecology and behavioral science before they themselves become involved to examine the adaptation of animals to particular habitats or the order of rank in groups of live animals.

In addition, accompanied by competent staff accompanied zoo tours, trial internships in animal care, one-week vacation care and even a rendezvous with the favorite animal. And for the seniors, the zoo offers regular appointments for memory training and even a day of mental fitness.

The zoo continues the successful collaboration with Shona artists from Zimbabwe into the month October. In workshops, interested people can try out themselves in the artistic African sculptures .

The artists suitable find their place in the African area, between the big animal house, the meerkat lodge and the African savannah.

In the large animal house you can observe Asian elephants, black rhinos and pygmy hippos. After the modification, rhino births are now regularly at the difficult "black rhinos", which are known as bad-tempered loners.

Unfortunately, the elephant ladies are still waiting for a modern keeping despite the change to "protected contact". Nevertheless, the outdoor area is already quite well done.

The meerkat lodge, which opened in 2017, is especially beautiful. This is by far the most beautiful enclosure that we have seen so far.

Based on typical African round buildings, two interconnected huts were built, which house the meerkat facility and a viewing terrace with a small kiosk for drinks.

Through generous panoramic windows or from the terrace of the African lodge, the small predators can be watched. From here you also can see the cute meerkats in their indoor enclosure.

The large terrace of the Africa lodge offers an elevated view of the grounds of rhinos, African ungulates, ostriches and elephants.

Following the circular route, you walk around the Grotenburg football stadium . Unfortunately, you can easily observe the constant decline of the stadium. Long ago are the successful days of the football club KFC Uerdingen 05. To a renovation is currently being wrestled.

In 1975, the monkey house was opened for apes and smaller primates. In the large glasshouse with tropical vegetation and corresponding temperatures, chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans are kept on large viewing areas. Even a separate gorilla seniors group finds here a separate area.

Here live also Lion tamarin and free flying fruit bats. Only outdoor facilities were missing so far - with the opening of the gorilla garden, this changed in 2012, however as well.

The big long-term goal is the establishment of its own great apes park. Also orangutans and chimpanzees are to get outdoor facilities in the near future.

In addition to free-flying bird species, the tropical Bird's Hall houses many species in naturally styled aviaries. Birds from three continents live here amidst tropical plants in five large aviaries.

The themes of these landscapes aviaries are: "African River Landscape", "African Savannah", "Madagascar", "South American Rainforest" and "Asian Rainforest".

The presentation of the animals in the midst of living trees and bushes was obvious in the design of the house, as treetops and branches form their natural habitat.

Incidentally, the plant lover will also enjoy his visit to the Krefeld Zoo. Over 900 species of trees can be found on the site. Of course, the plants in the animal houses and many are just as well described as the animals, including informations on the Zooplan.

At least the park character and the quiet atmosphere of the zoo is, in spite of the neighboring football stadium, an important advantage over other zoos.

In the forest-like landscape park with mature trees grow more than 1,100 trees, including some rare copse and botanical treasures.

We were unfortunately unable to discover the Damara zebras from our beloved Namibia. On the former zebra enclosure a completely new water world arises for pelicans etc.

The gastronomy of the zoo is also pleasantly different from the colleagues visited so far. This is partly due to the historic ambience of the renovated Grotenburgschlößchen, but also to the food offer.

We were convinced here by "Grandma's cake", 2 giant pieces of apple pie at 3.80 Euros plus clotted cream to 0.90 €. The simple cup of coffee beats at full 2.80 Euros.  

From the terrace of Grotenburgschlößchens you have a great view of the pond with the magnificent Cuban flamingos, which are busy in the central island with the construction of conical clay nests.

After enjoying coffee and cake, we inspected the enclosures of the big cats. Oii, there is still a lot of catching up to do here. Only the tigress, who is currently visiting from Cologne, was briefly to see in full beauty.

The tapir house is home to tapirs and other South American mammals (the usual suspects, the capybara and guanaco, as representatives of the small camels) and nandus.

We had a very nice day at the zoo. Everything was very clean, most of the enclosures are well designed and well maintained. For some, you can see that the zoo is already a bit older, but you can clearly see the effort to make the enclosure more species-appropriate.

The amount of innovations are not the only features of the zoo's transformation over the decades. Further insights into the world of animals can be obtained at the Research House, but this is only occasionally open.

Entrance Fees / Day Tickets: Adults 11,50 €

Children under 3 years free Children 3 - 17 J. 6,50 € Discounted tickets € 8.00 (at "B": accompanying person free) Small Family Card 23,00 € 1 adult + up to 4 children from 3 - 17 years Large Family Card 30,00 € 2 adults + up to 4 children from 3 - 17 years Handcarts 3,50 € plus 20 € deposit in cash Wheelchairs free, but 20 € deposit in cash

A big plus: Parking is sufficient and free around the zoo.

Fascinating creatures and history on the fringes of the sea of dunes

Dirk Heinrich

Devoid of life. That, at first glance, is the impression given by the red dunes and the adjoining white gravel plains of the Namib Desert on the doorstep of the coastal town of Swakopmund. The seasonal Swakop River, which reaches the Atlantic Ocean at Swakopmund, forms a dividing line between the town and the dunes to the south. Sand and stones, wind and fog, otherwise nothing. Or so it seems. This area is home to an amazing array of creatures, and there are also relicts from the past to take a closer look at.

Every morning various tour companies guide their groups of tourists to the marked out dunes on the other side of the dry riverbed. It is just a short distance away and previously anybody was allowed to go there – by car, on foot or walking the dog. 

A few years ago, however, the area was reserved for tourism and may now only be explored on dedicated trails. Too much damage was caused by people ‘who didn’t know better’, and the ever increasing number of vehicles in this fragile environment severely threatened the survival of the desert-adapted creatures of the Namib.

Dayne Braine is one of the tour guides who introduces visitors to the peculiarities and wonders of the desert right next to Swakopmund and has them spellbound. He starts by briefly outlining the terrain and the geological history of the Namib, already hinting that it is a living desert, and explains why the area is closed off by an oily wire rope.

The critically endangered Damara tern comes to breed here, on the dune sand and the gravel plains. In fact, 90 percent of this species breeds on Namibia’s coastline in December and January which is the main holiday season in Namibia.

Then there is the story behind the large bleached bones in the dunes. For decades it was thought that at this spot in the desert the German colonial forces, the Schutztruppe,shot almost one thousand horses freshly delivered from Europe because horse sickness had broken out among them as they approached their destination.

But recently discovered documents show that the bones in the desert are from South African army horses which were to be shipped back to South Africa. A total of 1695 horses and 944 mules were shot in December 1915 because they had contracted glanders, a contagious disease.

The remains of the railway line which once ran south of the Swakop River to the coast and between the ocean and the dunes to Walvis Bay are another relict of bygone times. While the visitors walk along the old embankment and take photos, Dayne is looking for desert dwellers among the stones and on the vegetation. Soon enough he finds one: a black hairy thick-tailed scorpion(Parabuthusvillosus). 

The Parabuthus species is among the most venomous scorpions in Namibia and southern Africa. Parabuthusvillosus was first described in 1862 by Wilhelm Peters, a German naturalist and explorer. This large species measures up to 18 centimetres and is one of the few diurnal scorpions. To prove the point, the visitors encounter another one of these arachnids making its way across the gravel plain at the foot of a dune.

Elsewhere, Dayne discovers a young desert chameleon (Chamaeleonamaquensis), also called Namaqua chameleon, in the shelter of a dollar bush. With the help of some mealworms which Dayne brought with him the small reptile is easily lured onto the dune sand. Next he finds a sidewinding adder (Bitisperingueyi) in the sand under another dollar bush.

 As the visitors watch in amazement the snake quickly buries itself in the sand again with swift twists and turns of its body. Seconds later only the eyes, which are on top of its head, and its nostrils remain exposed. Thus camouflaged and protected from the searing temperatures, this small venomous snake lies in wait for prey such as small mammals and lizards.

Drawn by the activity in the desert and previous encounters with Dayne and tourists, a tractrac chat wings closer and lands on the leafless twig of a nara plant (Acanthosicyoshorridus). This light green plant is a member of the gourd family (cucurbitaceae). The thorns are its leaves and the fruit, which is larger than a tennis ball, is a food source for insects, reptiles, small mammals and even oryx antelope. 

The tractrac chat, however, eats insects or other protein such as the mealworm which he has just spotted between Dayne’s fingers. He comes to sit on his hand to help himself. These usually shy birds have become quite trusting, much to the delight of the visitors.  

Dayne looks around and thanks to the ‘dune news’, the little tracks on the sand, he can tell where other desert dwellers are hidden beneath the soft surface. This time he doesn’t find a web-footed gecko (Pachydactylusrangei) or a burrowing skink (Typhlacontiasbrevipes), which is a limbless lizard species, but comes up with a shovel-snouted lizard (Merolesanchietae). This type of desert lizard not only runs across the soft dune sand at a remarkable speed but can just as fast dive into it and disappear from sight. Well camouflaged a Namib day gecko (Phoptropusafer) sits at the fringe of the gravel plain at the foot of the huge dunes.

The visitors are amazed at the variety of creatures which are perfectly adapted to the harsh conditions of the seemingly lifeless desert on the doorstep of Swakopmund. The Namib Desert is alive, and specialists like Dayne take visitors to the fringe of the sea of dunes to see for themselves and learn more.

Wuppertal: Zoo

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The Wuppertal Zoo is located in the west of the city of Wuppertal, between the districts Elberfeld and Sonnborn, and can be reached from the Ruhr area really fast. Nevertheless, until recently we have never been to this zoo. Really a pity, because it really is a zoo worth seeing with some extraordinary animals.

For the zoo you should take half a day to get some information about the animals and of course to enjoy them. The terrain is spectacular and very unusual, as it is very mountainous and woody, which is very nice. Even without animals, the wonderful terrain alone would be worth a visit.

For wheelchair users and other pediatric disabled - and of course parents who have to push a stroller / are allowed, but less appealing. However, there are so-called seniors mobile cars, electric golf carts that hold up to 8 people - and so it goes with a driver and interesting explanations for just under 2 hours on an exciting tour through the zoo!

The "Green Zoo" in Wuppertal bears his name rightly. In 1879, the citizens of Elberfeld built their "Zoologischer Garten" amidst a forest landscape on the hills. Back then a place with promenade, carousels, tennis, miniature golfing and gondola pond, which was used in winter for ice skating.

With a total of 34 animals started the zoo, including one bear and one couple of wolfes. According to reports, the freely living foxes, squirrels and mice were also generously counted.

It did not come to the planned "ethnological exposition" (human zoo) with forcibly abducted Aboriginies, which were everywhere a crowd puller at that time. Since the protagonists died 1885 in Wuppertal , shortly after the tragic arrival already at tuberculosis.

Today there are over 470 species with about 4200 animals, covering an area of ??24 hectares. After the zoo was a public limited company when it was opened, it is now owned by the city of Wuppertal. In 1955, the Zoo Association Wuppertal e.V. - the Friends of the Zoological Garden Wuppertal- was founded. Without this association supports with its generous patrons, conservation would be impossible.

At present, with the help of the association supports, a huge free flight hall for rare and endangered parrot species is being created. This is unique in the whole world and all zoos are looking at Wuppertal.

For such an "old" zoo it is even more amazing how modern and big most of the enclosures are for the animals. The largest enclosure in the Wuppertal Zoo is available to the elephants. On 4340 square meters live more than ten African elephants, which have regular offsprings. Only in April did the Easter bunny brought an elephant baby, the little "Gus". Named after the chief-keeper of the elephant enclosure.

Like so many others in Wuppertal, the zoo is on a hillside. From the entrance to the highest point in the zoo are therefore some altitude to overcome. We stayed at the signposted circular route. This then leads in different stages to the highest point, where then the lion enclosure can be found.

In no other German zoo there is a larger lion enclosure. The big cats live in the upper end of the zoo. Until then, visitors have to hike a good deal up the mountainous parkland. Alone this fantastic lion enclosure is worth a visit.

The enclosures are very beautiful and spacious. Over a kind of cave passage one arrives to good vantage points and can observe the kings of the animals so very well. There is a whole herd of the imposing big cats here.

Even the WDR (West German Broadcasting Cologne) has shown this year a whole 45-minute documentary: The Lions of the Wupper - The Green Zoo.

Worth seeing is also the monkey house, which is home to Lion-tailed macaques, Peruvian spider monkey, baboons and red varis. Apes such as chimpanzees and bonobos can be seen in the monkey house and orang-utas can be seen in a free enclosure.

Likewise, the king penguin complex, opened in 2009, is a visitor magnet worth seeing. It is the second largest facility for the beautiful king penguins in Europe. To make sure that the animals feel really well, there is an ice machine that lets ice fall from the ceiling all day long.

On the other hand, the African black-footed penguin (jackass penguin), live in a generous outdoor complex, modeled on the natural conditions on Boulders Beach - near Cape Town in South Africa.

A large presentation board offers the interested audience good explanations. Wild grey herons join the penguins just in time for the feeding times and steal their fishes.

The second part of the loop then leads, as a reward, only almost downhill. The trail itself led us to all the animals we wanted to see that day and a few more.

Since it was quite warm, the animals had retreated into the shadows and the enclosures were partly neatly big, we did not get to see all the animals or could take a great picture of all animals. But that's the way it is in a modern zoo today - and that's a good thing.

Of course, there are still some old enclosures from the earlier decades. This includes the cheetah enclosure from the 70s. There is still a need for action here.

Great is the "petting zoo" for the kids. This is the cleanest spot in the zoo. Because the children are getting pedagogically valuable led with miniature devices, such as wheelbarrows, brooms, manure, etc., to the animal husbandry, which is known to consist essentially of work (make clean).

We were not convinced by the zoo's gastronomy. The Okavango Restaurant has nothing to do with Okavango, whom we know personally. The usual fast food courts in self service for hundreds of people at lavish prices. You don´t need that - and so our advice is better to go out and eat outside the zoo.

The parking situation around the zoo is tense because the zoo directly adjoins the so-called "Zoo Quarter" with its opulent Art Nouveau houses and villas from the time of German Emperor Wilhelm II. Lots of one-way streets, some having additionally construction sites, let the visitor (and probably the residents too) despair.

If you arrive early, you should be lucky enough to get a free parking lot right on the street in front of the zoo entrance. The disabled parking spaces are all located right in front of the entrance and are free.

If that doesn´t work, additional parking is available further down at the stadium (nearby). And who wants to arrive with the great suspension railway, can simply get off at the station Stadium / Zoo - as long as she actually drives.

Prices for a day ticket: Adults € 14.50 Children € 7.00 Small groups I (1 adult and up to 3 children) 28.50 € Small groups II (2 adults and up to 3 children) 37,00 € each additional child additionally 6,00 € Students, pupils, apprentices and BFD-service-providers 12,50 € Handicapped persons pay the regular entrance fee. Accompanying persons of severely disabled persons receive free entry, if the mark "B" or "H" is entered on the document.

Carts, buggy's and wheelchairs are available at the zoo cash point. For carts and buggy's are a rental fee of € 3.50 and a deposit to be paid.

Wheelchairs are awarded free of charge. For wheelchairs, a prior telephone reservation is recommended. Also for the Zoomobil. The Zoomobil costs € 100 including driver and well-founded explanations. Single tickets are available on certain dates.

Arnhem: Burgers’ Zoo

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Actually, a visit to a zoo is always an ambiguous thing. For many people, however, it is the only way to see exotic animals such as elephants, tigers, zebras, etc. Not everyone is as privileged as we are to travel through Africa year after year for several weeks.

Apart from that, zoos are no longer these animal shows that we know from our childhood days, but are now making an important contribution to the conservation of species that are threatened with extinction in the wild.

As the population of the earth rapidly multiplies, in the near future most wild animals will survive only in zoos and safari parks. We may still be lucky enough to could marvel at plenty - but certainly not the next generation.

The Burger's Zoo in Arnhem is located near the German-Dutch border and is therefore a nice destination for a day trip from the Rhineland and of course the neighboring Ruhr area.

The grounds of the zoo cover 45 hectares and are divided into different theme worlds. Visitors are going thus impressively familiar with the tropical rain forest, the rocky desert, the tropical coral reef, the African savannah and the tropical mangrove forest.

Another attraction is the Ocean World, opened in 2000, a saltwater system consisting of eleven pools with a total of 8,000,000 liters, in which visitors can get an insight into the underwater world through a 20 × 5 × 0.35 m large glass.

The most impressive we found, as fans of the African continent, of course, the safari world. In a really large outdoor area, the typical savannah animals are housed, just as they live together in a national park in Africa: zebras, giraffes, rhinos, waterbuck, wildebeest, oryx and Roan antelopes.

This part of the zoo was designed from the old Safari Park grounds, in which were allowed to drive yourself in the late 60s and 70s. In 1968, it was the first safari park of its kind on the continent.

The animals have a lot of space and from a raised surrounding jetty, you can watch them very well. Even from the large terrace of the giant Safari restaurant you have a wonderful view of the grounds and can watch the animals at the waterhole. As in real Africa, the inevitable helmet guinea fowls (Suicide Chicks) are cackeling as loud as possible.

Of course, the big cats (lions and cheetahs) have their own separate enclosures. Unfortunately, you can not do that any other way. However, these could have been bigger. Especially for such persevering runners as the cheetah, the space is simply too narrow.

We really liked the playgrounds in the zoo. Here there was not only the usual swings and slides, but a real climbing paradise for children of all ages. Most playgrounds are located near the cafés so that the adults can eat and drink or play on their mobiles while their little ones are playing and romping.

We were a bit disappointed by the restaurants and cafes in the zoo. The Safari Restaurant is huge, but made a very good impression. However you could only buy fast food or snacks there. We would have wished that there had been alternatives. In addition, the prices were quite high: - a small cup of ice cream: 2,70 € - Cornetto ice cream: 2,90 € - Soft drinks 0,33l: 2,70 € - schnitzel burger 6 €

Very positive are the offers for visitors with disabilities: If you don´t have your own wheelchair, you can choose from the offer at the Cash desk at the main entrance(deposit system): - simple stroller - simple trailer to pull (also suitable for the cool box) - normal wheelchairs (2 Euro) - electric cart (5 € / 45 € deposit)

The Burgers' Zoo has a spacious parking lot right next to the main entrance. A special part of the parking lot is set up for visitors who are poor on foot and wheelchair-marked. A disability card is required for parking on this parking space marked with wheelchair symbol. Parking costs 6 euros for all visitors - whether disabled or not.

Ticket prices: 0 - 3 years free Teenagers 4-9 years 20.50 € Adults € 23.50 Erm. Admission for disabled 20.50 € Companion for disabled 11,00 € With the online ticket purchase on the homepage there is a whole, fabulous euro discount! Pretty Amazing!

Destination Swakopmund

All in one – Destination Swakopmund, the hub at the Namibian coast from where you can visit many surrounding attractions, landmarks and enjoy plenty of adventurous activities. Qualify for discounted rates the longer you stay.

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Image: Paul Harold Almeida Seele