Hanover Zoo - Zoo Hannover

Hanover Zoo is a zoo in Hanover.

background

Hannover Zoo describes itself as an adventure zoo. This is justified by the fact that all animal species that are presented here are integrated into a thematically related area. The associated facilities are also integrated into this area, so that one gets a better insight into the coexistence of the animal species than with individual enclosures that are not thematically related. In addition, care was taken to ensure that the individual enclosures also enable the animals to live as appropriate to their species as possible, in which the animals also have the opportunity to retreat. The number of visitors who can look into the individual enclosure is often limited, so that the animals do not feel too harassed. There are also animal shows and feedings, which offer a special incentive.

history

The Hanover Zoo was founded in 1865. At that time it was privately run and was built where it is today. Although the zoo was supposed to become an educational institution, it has actually always been a destination for the Hanoverians. The zoo has had good or bad phases in the course of its history. The decisive change to today's facility came at the beginning of the 1990s, when the zoo was in the red and was about to go bankrupt. The more or less lovelessly designed enclosures were simply no longer up-to-date. It took a completely new concept to attract visitors to the zoo again. The zoo got a new sponsor and a new board. In addition, he benefited from the EXPO 2000 in Hanover, where the zoo became an EXPO project. The new concept was implemented and implemented up to the EXPO.

Directions

By car

The easiest way to get to the zoo is via the Messeschnellweg. Take the exit Hans-Böckler-Allee, continue towards the center, then take the next right, Clausewitzstrasse, the zoo is already signposted here. Always keep right on Clasuewitzstraße and drive straight ahead. Clausewitzstrasse then becomes Adenauerstrasse. On the right side you can already see the zoo grounds. The best thing to do is to turn right after the zoo. A large parking lot will follow on the right-hand side.

With public transport

From the Kröpke, the tram line 11 goes directly to Hanover Zoo. It has its terminus here. In addition, bus lines 128 and 134 go from the main station (station forecourt) to the zoo.

Landscapes

Zambezi

The landscape Zambezi shows the fauna of Africa. The landscape of the savannah was chosen. The focus is a large enclosure in which the animal species of the savannah live together. The enclosure is clearly visible in several places. Due to the size of the enclosure, binoculars are a good tip. Photographers should have a telephoto lens with them. You can find zebras, giraffes, antelopes and gazelles in this enclosure. You can also get a good insight into this and other enclosures by taking a river trip through the landscape. Here you have completely different insights and come to beautiful photo motifs. The rafts actually float and are pulled by ropes, so they don't run on rails like you know from other parks. The raft trip is free of charge but only operates in the summer months. The Berber lions that live here are very rare. Youngsters can be seen regularly. For the visitor it is probably rather unpleasant that you only have a view of the enclosure through a few windows, it is certainly better for the animals. Rhinos, hippos, pelicans, ostriches, flamingos and other animal species complete the impression of the African savannah.

Gorilla mountain

The gorilla mountain is of course home to monkeys. In addition to the namesake gorillas, you can also admire various great apes, gibbons, but also other animals that live in the jungle areas. For example, you can find sloths or agautis. The center is the so-called jungle house, in which you can find chimpanzees and orangutans, among other things. In a stream you can see tropical fish and zebra finches flying around freely. However, the jungle house is currently closed due to an incident. But it should be reopened in the course of the year. In addition to the animals, you will also find the evolution path on the Gorilla Mountain, on which you can marvel at examples of excavations. There is also more information about these excavations. There are also breeding successes on the Gorilla Mountain again and again. So you can watch parents rearing their young again and again. The gorilla mountain was opened like Zambezi Landscape in 2000.

Jungle palace

The jungle palace is primarily home to the elephants. The palace itself is inspired by a Maharajah palace that was repossessed by the animals. In addition to the elephants, Hunuman monkeys, which are supposed to represent the sacred temple monkeys, leopards, small pandas, ball pythons and other animal species find their home here. All cages and enclosures are integrated into the temple. You can also admire the offspring of the animals that live here. There is also a show in which the elephants show a few tricks. The Jungle Palace is also one of the opening landscapes in 2000.

Mayer's yard

The fourth adventure world that was opened in 2000 is Mayer's Hof. The whole area is modeled on a German farm with all the animals to be found on this farm. You can also visit the stables where the animals stay and visit at night. There is also a whole range of information about the production of farm food. If you like, you can try milking a (mechanical) cow. If there were no visitors in the area around Meyer's Hof, then the area could also be considered a real farm, it has been designed so lovingly. There is also the Mayer's Hof restaurant, where you can eat out in peace. The restaurant can also be reached from outside the zoo without paying admission and only eat here. As with all other adventure worlds, Mayer's Hof is particularly characterized by the fact that you can get very close to the animals, but the individual enclosures are also very large, so that the animals are kept as species-appropriate as possible.

Mullewapp

In 2007 the children's world was created in the Hanover Zoo Mullewapp opened. Here the little ones can romp around and it's not just about animals. The world was inspired by the children's book author Helme Heine, whose characters find a home here. But of course it's not just about playing and romping, it's also about animals that are of special importance to children, because they can get closer to the animals than usual. Part of the landscape is designed as a petting zoo. But there are also animals just to look at, so that it is also worthwhile for adults to enter the world of Mullewapp. In addition to pot-bellied pigs, mini pigs, turtles, dwarf goats and other mammals, there are also insects such as the stick insect and ant colonies to be seen. A family restaurant has also been set up, which of course has everything the little ones like, such as pasta. And you can even watch it being prepared.

Outback

As the name suggests, you can im Outback admire the wildlife of Australia. Also in this world, which was opened in 2007, attempts have been made to depict the surroundings of the Australian outback with many little gimmicks. And of course you also get to see the corresponding animal world. Kangaroos, wombats and emus are the animals you expect and see. The design was based on the famous Ayers Rock. In addition to the enclosures, there is also an aviary with the well-known Australian birds such as wave, cockatiel and other parakeet species. However, the aviary is not as beautifully designed as you would otherwise know from the Hanover Zoo. But you can even enter the facility with the Bennett kangaroos and get very close to them. If you're lucky, there are also a few naked-nosed wombats on the way. Sometimes they rush out of the large enclosure because they feel more comfortable here. The outback opened in 2010 together with Yukon Bay. In contrast to the other adventure worlds, however, it falls off a bit because it is also smaller and houses fewer animal species.

Yukon Bay

The Yukon Bay landscape was also opened in 2010. It is probably the most elaborate design in Hanover Zoo. In fact, they worked with the Canadian Yukon Territory to create a landscape that was as realistic as possible. The port city is reached via the Wolfsschlucht (Wolf's Gorge) where timber wolves can be seen and where caribou and reindeer graze. The cargo ship Yukon Queen is anchored here. The polar bears live around the ship and can also be observed underwater from inside the ship. Behind the ship is the sea lion area with a stadium where the sea lion shows take place. The seals and penguins can also be seen underwater from inside the ship. There is also a suitable village in which there is a restaurant where you can take a break. The quite large area is very imposing and an attraction in itself.

Small worlds

Lido

You should definitely not miss the lido. This rather small area is a paradise for beach birds of all kinds. You can enter the aviary and spend some time in beach chairs and watch the animals. This little world is also very nicely designed and offers the animals enough space to live and they can also withdraw here for a while. The lido in particular offers some very beautiful motifs for photographers that make it easy to forget that it is an aviary and not the wild.

Old plants

Not all systems have yet been transferred to the new concept. There are still some enclosures that have been preserved in their original state. A warning is given that these are old systems that would certainly no longer be built today. But they are almost an exception and should disappear over time. Some antelopes in particular still have a home here, perhaps because they are not so interesting for most zoo visitors.

Tropical house

The tropical house used to be something like the zoo's figurehead, today it only belongs to the remainder of the old Hanover Zoo. Many of the cages in the tropical house are also no longer occupied. The animals have already moved to other enclosures. A visit is still worthwhile, if only because the extremely humid air gives you an impression of what the air is like in the tropics. There are some species of snakes and turtles to be seen.

Winter zoo

From the end of November to mid-January, Hanover Zoo adjusts to winter time and converts Mayer's Hof, Mullewapp and Yukon Bay accordingly. You can then skate and toboggan here. Ice stock sport is also on the program. A children's carousel is a reminder of the Christmas season, and Yukon Bay by night is a beautiful sight. Everything is illuminated and you can often watch the animals (polar bears, seals, penguins) even in the evening, and you can look forward to ice-skating in particular. For those who do not have their own ice skates, there are ice skates for hire. Even the little ones get their money's worth here: there are small penguins on runners that beginners can lean on, and the toboggan runs are also very beautiful. There are 3 different tracks: 1 particularly curvy, one particularly fast and one particularly long. There is also the small Poporutsch hill.

Show arena

The show arena is located near the Zambezi countryside. Several shows with different programs take place here during the day. Among other things, birds of prey are presented.

tour

If you want to take a tour and see everything that Hannover Zoo has to offer, it is best to follow the signs Discovery Trail. This offers a tour of all the facilities of the zoo, so you can't miss anything. If you want to go on your own, you can very well use the card that you get when you buy the ticket.

Prices

• 15.50 € adult (from 25 years)
• € 12.90 Young adult (17-24 years)
• 11.50 € children (6-16 years)
• 8.90 € children (3-5 years)
• Children under 3 years of age can enter the zoo for free.
• € 7.50 dog

There are also numerous offers such as annual tickets or family tickets. If you buy the cards online, you get a discount of up to € 1.70 (Complete price overview).

gastronomy

Most landscapes also offer catering establishments that are tailored to the respective landscape. It is not really about the traditional cuisine of the respective world, but more or less about fast food with names adapted to the landscape. The food is not very cheap, but not too expensive either, but it is of an appealing quality everywhere and the flair of the individual restaurants captures the mood of the respective landscape quite well. If you don't want to spend money on food, you can bring your own food, nobody says anything. There is also enough space to eat. There is also a suitable souvenir shop for almost every landscape. The right gift should be found for everyone.