Copenhagen Zoo

Copenhagen Zoo, known in Danish as København Zoo, is a zoological garden located in Frederiksberg, Denmark. Founded in 1859, it holds the distinction of being one of the oldest zoos in Europe. The zoo spans 11 hectares (27 acres) and is situated between Frederiksberg Gardens and Søndermarken. With an annual visitor count exceeding 1.3 million, it stands as Denmark's most visited zoo and a prominent attraction within the country.

History and Development

The zoo was established by ornithologist Niels Kjærbølling, initially utilizing the grounds of "Prinsess Vilhelmines Have." Early collections featured a modest array of animals, but over time, the zoo's focus shifted towards improved animal welfare, leading to more spacious enclosures and a refinement of species numbers. A significant period of renovation began in the early 1980s, aiming to replace traditional cages with environments that better replicate natural habitats. This initiative resulted in key developments like the Elephant House and the extensive Savanna area, which includes an underwater viewing facility for hippopotamuses.

Several historical buildings have been preserved, including a stable from 1872 now housing Bactrian camels, and a Herbivore House from 1875. An owl tower dating back to 1885 remains as a historical monument. A notable architectural feature is the 43.5-meter wooden observation tower, built in 1905, which offers panoramic views and is recognized as one of the tallest wooden observation towers globally.

Exhibits and Species

Copenhagen Zoo features diverse thematic sections. "The Nordics" presents species such as harbour seals, snowy owls, and brown bears, while the "Arctic Ring," opened in 2013, showcases polar bears with underwater viewing tunnels and North Atlantic seabirds.

The "Asia" section is home to Amur leopards, tigers, and Asian elephants, with a recent addition being the 160-meter "Leopard Trail" designed to enhance the Amur leopard habitat. The "Africa" section is largely occupied by the "Savanna," an open field housing white rhinoceroses, giraffes, and zebras, alongside a separate hippopotamus enclosure.

A unique "Tasmania" section was established following a gift of Tasmanian devils from the Tasmanian government in 2004, making Copenhagen Zoo the first outside Australia to house the species. This area also includes red-necked wallabies and common wombats.

The "South America" section is modeled after the South American pampas and includes capybaras, guanacos, and giant anteaters. The "Tropical Zoo" houses a rainforest hall with free-ranging birds, two-toed sloths, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.

Conservation and Notable Animals

Copenhagen Zoo plays a vital role in wildlife conservation and participates in numerous European breeding programs. It is the only zoo in Europe to maintain a breeding population of Tasmanian devils, with successful breeding documented since 2013. The zoo is also noted for housing rare Amur leopards, okapis, and musk oxen. Since April 2019, the zoo has hosted two giant pandas on loan from China, a significant addition that places it among a select group of European zoos to house the species. The panda habitat itself is a notable architectural achievement, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group.

Controversy

In February 2014, the zoo faced international criticism for the public culling of a healthy young male giraffe named Marius, which was then dissected and fed to lions. The zoo defended the action as a necessary measure for managing the giraffe population and maintaining genetic diversity within the European breeding program. This event, along with the subsequent culling of four lions in March 2014, sparked considerable debate regarding zoo ethics and public engagement with animal management practices.