Germany: Hellabrunn Animal Park Invests into New Lion Enclosure

With a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony, Munich-based Hellabrunn animal park started with the construction work of its new lion enclosure last week. The new habitat will be developed on the site of the former brown bear enclosure and is planned to offer four mature lions a new home on a ground space of 2,400 square metres as of spring 2022. The outdoor area will be designed in accordance with the natural environment of lions, with planting and large rocks where the animals will be able to hide, lay down and have viewpoints. The indoor area will be designed like a cave and will offer visitors the opportunity to observe the big cats from the outside through a large panoramic window.

For the new lion enclosure, which will be located in the future “Geozone Africa“, the animal park worked together with the also Munich-based Unit 5 and Lenz architectrual bureaus as well as with the landscaping planners of Ritz and Ließmann. Rasem Baban, director of Hellabrunn, is convinced that the new development (total investment: 3.6 million Euros) will be a win-win-situation for the animals and the zoo: “I am really happy that the new lion enclosure will not only offer the animals better living conditions but it will also be a large step further for our park towards biodiversity and becoming a Geozoo. […]“ To offer visitors a suited experience, the park is also developing an extensive educational program which will inform guests about the natural environment and the endangerment of lions.

To learn more about current zoo projects in Germany and Europe check out our “Zoo News“ in our latest EAP issue 6/2020. (eap)