Watching birds

Weltvogelpark, Walsrode

In my youth it was impossible to go by car through Lower Saxony and not to here the radio advertisement for the “Vogelpark Walsrode” with its iconic jingle. But we never went to the biggest bird park in the world in the Lüneburg Heath, located near Walsrode, Germany. Now was the time for that and the park created in 1962 is definitely worth a visit, even though you will find some deterioration here and there. Continue reading “Watching birds”

Zoo & Afrykarium

Afrykarium, Breslau

The zoological garden of Wrocław, Poland is located close to the centennial hall. It has been opened in 1865, it is today one of the biggest zoos in Poland and you can see 10.000 animals of 1.100 species. Most speciel element is the Afrykarium – a new building hosting animals of Africa. It includes fishes of the red sea and a glas tunnel through the aquarium as well as a hugh hippo bay with a waterfall. Continue reading “Zoo & Afrykarium”

Berlin Zoo

Berlin, Germany

The “Zoologischer Garten Berlin” is the oldest zoological garden in Germany. Martin Hinrich Lichtenstein, zoologist of the Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Berlin (today: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin) persuaded king Frederick William IV of Prussia in 1841 to give money and land for a zoological garden. Today 18.000 animals of 1.400 species are living there. Continue reading “Berlin Zoo”

Fish mob

Berlin, Germany

The aquarium in Berlin, Germany is part of the zoological garden. You can visit it solely or buy a combined ticket. It has been opened in 1913 and looks a bit old-fashioned: no big tanks, no glass tunnels to walk through; only classic fish tanks with the most beautiful fishes of the world. In addition reptiles, frogs and butterflies can be found here, too. Continue reading “Fish mob”

Empty your pockets

Hannover, Germany

It is said that the “Erlebnis-Zoo” in Hannover, Germany is the best zoological garden in Germany – and I would support this ranking. But to enter this place you’ll first have to have a lot of money; the entrance fees are pretty high – already for small children. For the inhabitants of Hannover better priced seasonal tickets seem to make this an option for more frequent children’s entertainment. Continue reading “Empty your pockets”

Seals and stars

Aquarium Geomar, Kiel

The GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung is a research facility located in Kiel, Germany – they work on topics concerning the biological, physical and chemical dynamics of the ocean. You’ll come across this scientific organization located at the Kieler Förde mostly because of the publicly accessible basins containing five cute seals that attract a lot of spectators. Continue reading “Seals and stars”

The old Tiergarten

Zoo, Heidelberg

The zoological garden of Heidelberg, Germany (“Tiergarten Heidelberg”) is located in the north-east of the city, between the river Neckar and the famous university. It dates back to 1934 and in some parts you can really see that it is an old zoo – sometimes because the animals don’t have that much space and sometimes because of the special flair of the old houses surrounding the area.

Continue reading “The old Tiergarten”