Top 10 Intriguing Facts about Hellabrunn Zoo Munich

Top 10 Intriguing Facts about Hellabrunn Zoo Munich

Hellabrunn Zoo is a 40-hectare zoological garden in the Bavarian capital of Munich. It is situated on the right bank of the river Isar, in the southern part of Munich near the quarter of Thalkirchen. A high ratio of enclosures are cageless and rely upon moat features to keep the animals in place.

The Munich Zoo Hellabrunn was founded in 1911 as the first Geo-zoo worldwide. The animals live according to their geographic distribution in complex communities. By following the icons you will travel around the world and experience our different habitats.

Hellabrunn is not a zoo in the classical sense. It is more of a nature preserve within the landscape conservation area of the Isar meadows inhabited by animals that live in especially large, structured enclosures. Visitors can enjoy the wonderful and unobstructed view of animals that could normally only be obtained on safari. Continue to learn the top 10 intriguing facts about Hellabrumm Zoo Munich.

 

 

1. Hellabrunn is More than a Zoo it’s a Geo-Park

UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development. Their bottom-up approach of combining conservation with sustainable development while involving local communities is becoming increasingly popular.

Zoos used to be cold, somewhat cruel places where animals were caged and put on display for entertainment rather than education. Munich Zoo (Tierpark) Hellabrunn was one of the world’s first zoos to end that trend.

Hellabrunn Zoo is also referred to as a Geo-zoo or a zoological garden in Munich. As the first geo zoo in the world, the Hellabrunn Zoo lets you discover the animal world arranged by continent. In completely natural communities, several species often inhabit common spacious enclosures. Discover the animals of all continents in these geo zones:

• The animals of Africa

Since 2013, the 10,000 m² African giraffe savannah directly at the Isar entrance has been the showpiece of the African animal world at Hellabrunn. Here you will discover giraffes, meerkats and porcupines. But the diversity of life in Africa is also omnipresent, from antelopes and lions to chimpanzees and gorillas.

• The animals of the Americas

The double continent stretches across almost all of the world’s ecozones. The animal species at Hellabrunn Zoo are correspondingly diverse, including mighty wood bison, llamas, cute capybaras or maned seals and Humboldt penguins.

• The animals of Asia

Whether giant Asian elephants – including young animal Otto – majestic Siberian tigers, the surprisingly human orangutans or respect-inspiring pythons: Asia’s animal world is as fascinating as it is diverse.

• The animals of Australia

Fascinating animal species such as red giant kangaroos, emus or wallabies can be seen here, as well as animals of Australian origin that are now domesticated in Europe, such as the budgerigar.

• The animals of Europe

Whether house mouse, wolf, elk or alpine ibex – Europe’s animals are true survival artists in view of the seasonal temperature differences and drought in the south. Discover the European animal world at Hellabrunn Zoo as you have never seen it before!

• The animals of the polar world

Extreme cold formed a sensitive ecosystem at the North and South Poles. Discover polar bears, penguins, seals, arctic foxes or snowy owls, among others, at Hellabrunn Zoo.

2.  Hellabrunn Zoo has been Closed Twice

After the zoo was closed from 1922 to 1928 due to lack of funds, it reopened its doors on May 23, 1928 as the first geo zoo in the world.  The reason was due to inflation in Germany. During World War II, the zoo sustained extensive damage due to Allied air raids, but it was able to reopen in May 1945.

A donation of millions from Helmut Horten made new facilities possible in 1960. Since then, the zoo has been constantly modernized and expanded. Horten was a German entrepreneur who built up and owned the fourth-largest chain of department stores in Germany: the Horten AG.

3. Hellabrunn Zoo’s Mill Village is a Unique Educational Approach

 

The Hellabrunn Mill Village is built in the style of a traditional Bavarian farmhouse features a Zoo School which was completed in summer 2019. Here, schoolchildren can gain experience with biodiversity of the European animal world.

With the Mill Village, Hellabrunn Zoo creates a unique zoo education centre,” The project was sponsored through long-term sponsorship by the Stadtsparkasse München bank, a long-standing partner of the zoo. At the mill village one can take a closer look at the local flora and fauna. Right next to the Auer Mühlbach, native fish species are also bred, which are then settled in the local waters.

4.  Hellabrunn Zoo was opened in 1906

The origin of zoos in Munich goes back to the Bavarian dukes and electors. In 1770 elector Maximilian III set up an enclosure for exotic animals within Nymphenburg Park. This was of course only meant for the aristocrats and it was not very successful. Around 1860 a Mr. Benedict opened the first pub­lic zoo at Königin Street close to the English Garden. Although it was very popular with the crowds it had to close again in 1865.

Oberstleutnant Hermann von Manz was more successful. In 1902 he found suitable grounds for establishing a zoological garden: The “Feßler grounds” that once housed the Lustschlösschen Hellabrunn. Their sheltered location made them perfect for the cause. In order to raise the necessary capital at least half a million Deutsch Marks he created the “Society of the Zoological Garden of Munich e.V.” in 1905.

The town granted him his request to place the land at his disposal for free and gave him a certificate of eligibility. On 11.11.1906 the land was made available to the society under the condition that they come up with the necessary capital for the development of a zoo within 5 years. On August 1st, 1911 the grand opening of the first Munich Zoo Hellabrunn finally took place.

5. Hellabrunn is Home to Over 700 Species of Animals

Located in the isolated plains of River Isar, Hellabrunn is more of a natural reserve. The zoo is home to almost 20,000 animals representing over 700 species, including the rare silvery gibbons, spider monkeys and Siberian tigers. The spacious, wooded, 70-ha (173-ac) grounds resemble the animals’ natural habitats.

Hellabrunn Zoo continues to be one of the most diverse zoos in Europe. The zoo is home to many at-risk species, such as the silvery gibbon. Classified as endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, this primate can only be seen in Germany at Hellabrunn Zoo. Part of the Hellabrunn Zoo Master Plan, includes raising awareness on the importance of biodiversity. The zoo aims to place a special focus on endangered species in the future. The animals, which the visitors experience in spacious, species-appropriate enclosures, serve as ambassadors for their endangered cousins in the wild.

6. Hellabrun Zoo Breeds Species Threatened with Extinction

Hellabrunn Zoo has been actively involved in European Endangered Species Programmes (EEP) and European Studbooks (ESB) for many years. Endangered species are bred at the zoo to secure their long-term survival and, where possible, for reintroduction into suitable habitats at a later date.

Hellabrunn Zoo coordinates the EEP and manages the International Studbook (ISB) for the drill, an endangered species of monkey from West Africa.

Other projects cover the breeding of threatened species such as the Przewalski’s horse, and back breeding to species already extinct, such as the aurochs, a wild ox said to have become extinct in the 1620s.

7. Hellabrunn Zoo Presents a Perfect Family Day-Out Activity

Visiting the Hellabrunn Zoo is a great way to spend some fun time with the family. Get a closer look into wildlife in its natural enclosures which are separated by ditches and water channels. Zoo has a couple of nice playgrounds, mini cars and a mini train for the kids. 

The kids will also go crazy at animal feeding shows where they also get to learn some amazing facts about these animals. The highlights of the zoo are the Polar Bear talk show, and Sea Lion training sessions. Animal walks with goats, ponies, alpacas, and llamas are great ways to satisfy kids’ curiosities. Spending a lazy day at the zoo is a great activity for young and young at heart.

8. Hellabrunn Zoo sits on a 36 Hectare Parcel of Land

Tierpark Hellabrunn is the name of the zoological garden in the Bavarian capital Munich. The 36 hectare (89 acre) park is situated on the right bank of the river Isar in the southern part of Munich, near the quarter of Thalkirchen. As the groundwater level here is rather high and the water is of very good quality, the zoo can cover its needs for freshwater by using its own wells.

On February 25, 1905, the Verein Zoologischer Garten München e.V. (Engl. Society of the Zoological Garden of Munich) was founded and the Hellabrunn area was chosen as the location for the zoo.

9. Hellabrunn Zoo has a great Elephant House

The century-old Byzantine Elephant House was one of the first freestanding concrete domes in the world and has become the zoo’s most-recognisable symbol. ammonia vapours had taken a heavy toll on the building and extensive renovation was necessary.

The original dome of the historically significant Byzantine-style construction was demolished in autumn 2014 and rebuilt anew, but in the exact same style as the original.

Furthermore, with the move into the new Elephant House, the zoo will gradually change its elephant management system to a protected contact system. This means that in future the keepers will no longer work in direct contact (free contact) with the elephants inside their enclosure, but instead there will always be a safety barrier between humans and animals. The modern facilities of the renovated building allow intensive training with the elephants even with the transition to a protected contact system.

10. The Original Hellabrun Zoo Plan was done by Architect Emanuel von Seidl

On August 1, 1911, the zoo, planned by the famous architect Emanuel von Seidl, opened to the public for the first time.  In 1914 The Pachyderm House opened. It was also designed by the prominent Seidl.

The building which was subsequently called the Tropical House (one of the few heated houses at Hellabrunn until 1973) and is now known as the Elephant House and is still standing today. The newly renovated edifice is currently one of the finest elephant houses in Europe.

 

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Practical Information

Address: Tierparkstraße 30, 81543 München, Germany

Opening times: Hellabrunn Zoo is open all year long. Opening times vary according to season: From 01/04/ – 31/10/: 9 am – 6 pm; starting 01/11: 9 am – 5 pm