Rostock Zoo

Rostock Zoo, located in Rostock, Germany, is a significant zoological institution with a history dating back to its founding in 1899. It stands as the largest zoo on the German east coast, sprawling across 56 hectares and housing a diverse collection of approximately 4,500 animals representing 320 species. The zoo plays a crucial role in wildlife conservation, notably serving as the European studbook keeper for polar bears within the European Endangered Species Programme.

History and Development

The origins of Rostock Zoo can be traced to the mid-19th century when military grounds were transformed into a garden named Trotzenburg. By 1898, the first animals were introduced, leading to the official opening of the Hirschgarten an der Trotzenburg in 1899. The zoo suffered extensive damage during World War II, with all buildings and enclosures destroyed. A significant rebuilding effort began in 1951 under garden architect Arno Lehmann, with substantial community support. The zoo reopened to the public in 1952, was enlarged in 1956, and officially renamed Zoologischen Garten Rostock in January 1956.

Key developments in the post-war era include the arrival of the first Asian elephants in 1960 and the zoo becoming the largest breeder of Arabian horses in East Germany. The birth of the first polar bear, Katja, in 1963 marked another milestone. The zoo underwent a substantial enlargement in 1973, adding 56 hectares and a new master plan. Since 1980, Rostock Zoo has been entrusted with the vital role of studbook keeper for polar bears within the European Endangered Species Programme.

Following 1989, the zoo continued its modernization. In 1992, Gemeinnützige GmbH Zoologischer Garten Rostock was established, overseeing the creation and renovation of numerous animal enclosures, including those for painted dogs, eared seals, and Hussar monkeys. The zoo celebrated its centenary in 1999. In 2013, the zoo's long-standing African elephant, Sara, the oldest in a European zoo, passed away, leading to the end of the zoo's elephant keeping and the repurposing of the enclosure for pygmy hippopotamuses.

Darwineum

A major contemporary feature of Rostock Zoo is the Darwineum, opened on September 8, 2012. Named in honor of Charles Darwin, this expansive living museum covers 20,000 m2 and represents the largest building project in the zoo's history. It is dedicated to exploring biological diversity and the evolutionary processes behind it, starting from the Big Bang. The Darwineum includes interactive expositions, a tropical hall (Tropenhalle) featuring primates like gibbons, gorillas, orangutans, and De Brazza's monkeys, as well as an aquarium with corals, seahorses, and Germany's largest circular jellyfish tank. Adjacent to the Tropenhalle, an exhibition delves into the cultural evolution of humankind.