Hagenbecks zoo

Altstadt (old town)

The development of the first fenceless zoo in the world began in 1896 and was registered for patent rights in the same year.
The zoo, which had been built to Carl Hagenbecks ideas, was opened in Hamburg Stellingen in 1907. By this time Carl Hagenbeck's sons Heinrich and Lorenz continued the life's work of their father together.
Carl Hagenbeck's idea to present exotic animals and keeping them in ways appropriate to their species was revolutionary and many zoological gardens followed the example.

The statue on the photo shows Carl Hagenbeck with a lion that once has saved his life in a dangerous situation in the zoo. Hagenbeck's sons Heinrich and Lorenz had it made by the sculptor Rudolf Marcuse.

You can look up everything about the special relation Carl Hagenbecks to the lion Triest on a text panel put up next to the monument.

The zoo in Stellingen was completely destroyed by an air raid within only 90 minutes during the Second World War. With unbelievable commitment by the Hagenbeck family it was rebuilt and is now larger and more beautiful then ever. The Hagenbeck zoo is to this day in the hands of the family.

Hagenbeck is not only zoo! I have mentioned only a few of the many attractions on this page to give a small impression, but I recommend visitors to take sufficient time to enjoy a day full of amazing experiences in the 27 hectares zoo with it’s variety of old trees.
In the year 2003 the Hagenbecks carried out a spectacular structural change after 60 years - a new main entrance to the park was created.
A 16 m high Nepalese pagoda temple fits in very beautifully with the arrangement of the new main entrance. The historical Art Nouveau gate, which is not used as a zoo entrance any more, was integrated into the park and remains unchanged.
The new main entrance is located only few meters walk away from the underground's station, car parks are available near the gate.
At the generously designed square in front of the new main entrance stands an 8 m high giraffe, a work of the sculptor Stephan Balkenhol.

Balkenhol sculptor - by the new main entrance - pagoda temple - the old gate

The unfenced enclosures, which lie separated from the visitors by deep water-ditches, allow a very close look even of the big cats. Feeding certain animals is appreciated and is fun not only for the people, but also the animals are happy to get an extra titbit. One gets the special food at the food vending machine, which are put up everywhere.

Ca. 2500 animals of all continents live in Hagenbeck’s zoo,

many of them are young animals, which were born here

Hagenbecks elephants

Since the beginning of November 2006 Hagenbecks elephants have a new hall, which allows them to live also in winter free of chains in their herd community. The indoor ground offers everything an elephant needs for its comfort: Much daylight, a deep water jump to bathe and sand for the daily skin care. A little waterfall can be used as a shower. The ground, which was built in the style of an Indian temple ruin, is almost 1000 sqm large and heatable.

2003 at Hagenbeck's - for the first time an asiatic baby elephant was born in a herd in Germany.

In November 2004 - once more an asiatic baby elephant has been born in a herd at Hagenbecks. Hagenbeck is still the only zoo in Germany where a baby elephant was born in a herd.

April 11th, 2007 - a new baby elephant was born. The little Lady arrived early in the morning in the midst of the complete herd, just like in the wild.

On 21-November-2008, there was offspring in the elephant enclosure again. Like his brothers and sisters, the little bull, who is called Shahrukh! was born in the protection of the herd. The fourth healthy baby elephant of the 29-year-old mummy Yashoda is 90 cm high and he weighs 95 kilograms.

Hagenbecks elephant offspring -

(photo on the right ©Tintin)

Elephant cow Thura (35) has born her fourth calf on July 3rd 2009. The little elephant girl is one metre high, weighs

ca. 90 kilograms and is already very hungry.
A member of the Asian elephants herd of at Hagenbecks shall always bear an Asian name, therefore readers of the “Hamburger Abendblatt” (daily newspaper) have decided that the new baby elephant will be called Rani (princess).

With the birth of the youngest baby elephant the herd of the Asian elephants at Hagenbecks has increased to twelve animals. Since Hagenbecks zoo has supported the preservation of the threatened Asian elephants for many years successfully, one of the largest elephant herds of Europe lives here in the Hamburg zoo.

Let’s go and see the elephants - here we are

Of course there are also particular offers for the little guests in Hagenbeck's zoo. Apart from elephant riding, fairy tale train and a large playground, they have an enclosure where children can cuddle and feed pets like goats and kids, little donkeys, bunnies and so on.

By the red painted temple gates one reaches the Japanese island garden, which is decorated with Japanese maple, ginkgo, Japanese bronze and Buddha statues that give it an Asian flair.

The Japanese garden in the zoo.

The Thai-Sala, a present of the business couple Krohn to the Hamburg citizen and the Thai in Hamburg, was officially opened by Her Royal Highness princess Chaha Marki Sirindhorn on August 22nd, 2002.
A Sala is an important element of the Thai building tradition. One finds it not only in gardens and courts, but also even along the streets. They are to protect against rain and sun and as a place of rest and meeting between friends and strangers.The pavilion is to fulfil this purpose also here in Hagenbeck’s zoo, a protection from weather, place of the quiet and meeting place for old and new friends.

Just in time for the great birthday celebration on May 7th a 7 000 square metres tropics aquarium was opened up. It is the first great aquarium in Hamburg. 290 species of animals from all over the world live in Hagenbecks aquarium – it is the first great aquarium in the Hanseatic city. More ...

In the tropical aquarium (photo:Tintin)

Art and Culture