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Top 10 Fun Facts about Tierpark Berlin

The Tierpark Berlin is one of two zoos located in Berlin, Germany. It was founded in 1955 and is located in Friedrichsfelde on the former grounds of Friedrichsfelde Palace, which is situated within the zoo. Berlin Zoo has the most species of the two but Tierpark is much bigger. Berlin Zoo is in the centre of the western part of Berlin, Tierpark is at the east end of the centre and much more important, Zoo was the zoo of West Berlin and Tierpark was the zoo of the capital of East Germany.

Tierpark Berlin is a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) and participates in about 120 breeding programmes (EEP). It maintains the international studbooks for endangered species of deer and wild asses of Asia and Africa as well as the European studbook for little pied cormorants.

The Tierpark Berlin further participates in attempts of reintroducing species to areas where they have become endangered or extinct and it financially supports selected in-situ projects for the protection of natural habitats. Continue browsing for the top 10 fun facts about Tierpark Berlin.

1. Tierpark Berlin is the Largest Zoo in Europe

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The Tierpark Berlin is one of two zoos located in Berlin, Germany. It was founded in 1955 and is located in Friedrichsfelde on the former grounds of Friedrichsfelde Palace, which is situated within the zoo.  Tierpark is the largest zoo in the world in acreage and in the number of species. It holds the most comprehensive collection of species in the world. There are more than 20,000 individual animals.

Being a large park it is best to plan a whole day for your visit to see the animals, from the Malaysian bear to polar bears.

2.  Tierpark Berlin was created because East Berlin Needed a Zoo

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The Tierpark was built when Berlin became a divided city after the Second World War because East Berlin also wanted to have a zoo. It was opened in 1955 in Schlosspark Friedrichsfelde. The park area, originally designed by garden artist Peter Joseph Lenn茅, also houses the Friedrichsfelde palace, built in 1695.

The Tierpark Berlin has its roots in the partition of Germany after the Second World War. The famous Zoological Garden was now situated in the British sector of Berlin. The GDR鈥檚 state leadership wanted to establish a rival zoo of equal standing.

Under the stewardship of Prof. Heinrich Dathe, Europe鈥檚 biggest animal park opened 鈥� home to 130 different species. Director Dathe went on to shape the Tierpark for the next 30 years. Private individuals and firms participated in the building of the park giving it a special place in the hearts of the local population.

3.   Tierpark  Panda Twins

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Shine a female red panda gave birth to adorable twins! Keepers first discovered that offspring had been born on 3 July 2022, but did not know for sure how many. At birth, red pandas weigh around 100 grams and are blind and helpless. They opened their eyes for the first time after five weeks or so. Tierpark visitors had the rare chance to see red panda babies that young.

Red pandas are not actually related to the famous giant panda. Despite their nickname 鈥渃at-bear鈥�, they are not part of the bear family Ursidae. Yet they do share many characteristics. For example, red pandas live primarily off bamboo.

The greatest threat to red pandas is the ongoing destruction of their forest habitat in the Himalayas. Their natural range extends from northern India to the mountainous regions of Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and China where they occasionally cross paths with their namesake, the giant panda.

4. You can participate in Many Interactive Activities at the Tierpark Berlin

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Be there when the animals are fed in the Tierpark Berlin. Whether penguins, monkeys, pelicans or red pandas in the company of animal keepers, you can experience the Tierpark residents up close. A special feature in the Tierpark: The Polar Bear Talk takes place every day at 11 a.m. – with lots of expert information about these animals.

If you are in love with graceful giraffes, giant tortoises or adorable lemurs you will enjoy a close encounter with your favourite animal at Tierpark Berlin. The keepers will introduce you personally and share their expert knowledge 鈥� as well as one or two amusing anecdotes.

5.  Soar with Tierpark Berlin Birds of Prey

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There are fascinating free-flight shows at the Kiekemal woodland stage that welcome visitors to the wonderful world of raptors 鈥� featuring eagles, owls, vultures and more. Birds of prey perform spectacular aerial manoeuvres while an experienced handler provides fascinating facts about the feathered stars of the show.

One of the most remarkable birds is powerful, an accurate kick to the spine is enough for the secretary bird to kill its prey. Since poisonous snakes also form part of the bird鈥檚 diet, it must rely on its skill and speed when executing this manoeuvre.

6.   Tierpark Berlin is a Leader in Conservation

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Tierpark Berlin supports many conservation breeding programmes around the world. By creating stable reserve populations outside the species鈥� natural habitats and reintroducing captive-bred animals into the wild, zoos make an important contribution to the long-term conservation of threatened animal species.

The Tierpark, Zoo Berlin, and Aquarium Berlin are committed to the worldwide protection of species. For example, these institutions are involved in two-thirds of all international conservation breeding programmes.

Our planet鈥檚 fascinating animal kingdom is in danger: over the coming decades, around one million species could be wiped off the face of our planet forever. With the right measures, we can ensure that many of these species are protected over the long term.

7.  Tierpark Berlin is a Global Park

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The Berlin Zoo and Tierpark Berlin saw a slight increase in visitor numbers in 2021 with a total of 3,609,805 visits compared to the previous year’s 3,487,564. The Tierpark in the Berlin district Lichtenberg is the largest zoo in Europe. Over 8,000 animals live on an area of 160 hectares and there are about 650 different animal species in total – from the Malaysian bear to polar bears.

There is also the 146 Buddy Bears Exhibit at Tierpark Berlin aimed at showing how wonderful it can be when different countries and cultures work hand in hand to set an example for a better future.

The visitors come from all over the world. It is open all year long and can easily be reached by public transportation. It鈥檚 not only locals who love discovering our animal inhabitants 鈥� visitors from all corners of the globe visit Tierpark Berlin every year.

8. Tierpark Berlin has  a Big Appetite

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What do Tierpark’s giraffes eat for breakfast? How much fresh fruit and vegetables are needed for the monkeys? Each and every creature in the care of the zoo has its very own meal plan. And with around 10,000 animals the shopping list is long and includes lot of carrots, peppers and hay!

33,840 eggs – This is the vast number of eggs we feed our monkeys, polar bears and more every year.

The 9,000 animals at the Tierpark eat an average of 21 bananas per day. The tasty fruit contains a lot of sugar, so it only features on the menu as an occasional treat.

9.  Tierpark has a Petting Zoo

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After enjoying plenty of cuddles and strokes, the animals at our petting zoo are only too happy to receive a snack from the animal feed vending machine. These up-close animal encounters leave a lasting impression 鈥� particularly on young children.

The petting zoo features a combination of domesticated animals and some wild species that are docile enough to touch and feed. In addition to independent petting zoos, many general zoos contain a petting zoo.

10.  Tierpark Hamster Release Programme

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Most people in Europe probably only know the more exotic hamster species that are kept as pets, but there is in fact a wild species native to the continent: the larger European hamster, which is roughly the size of a guinea pig.

Tierpark Berlin launched a new project to further expand its commitment to protecting species in their natural habitats. With its recently completed breeding and research station for the European hamster, the Tierpark is helping to ensure the survival of this native German rodent. All European hamster pups born in the park will eventually be released into suitable habitats in the hope that this will prevent the extinction of the increasingly threatened species.

Tierpark was built in 1955 to rival the Berlin Zoo, on the west side of the Berlin Wall. Resident species range from the conventional to rare and endangered, including the Rothschild鈥檚 giraffe and the Indian rhinoceros. The animal park participates in attempts to reintroduce species that have become endangered or extinct. It has successfully bred 15 baby elephants since 1999.

Practical Information

Opening Hours: Winter             9:00鈥夆�撯��16:30       Summer               9:00鈥夆�撯��18:30

Address: Am Tierpark 125 10319 Berlin

E-Mail: info@tierpark-berlin.de