Germany: Three Federal States Allow the Re-Opening of Zoos under Restrictions as of Today

After the initial easing of pandemic measures by German politics, individual German states have now decided to allow zoos and animal parks to reopen under restrictions as of today (April 20^th). The permit is valid for zoo operations in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Schleswig-Holstein and Rhineland-Palatinate and is subject to the condition that compliance with the continuing regulations (contact restriction for infection prevention) is guaranteed at all times. This requires special concepts for zoo operations, such as the adjustment of the visitor journey in a facility, the reduction of guest capacity and furthermore the closure of playgrounds and gastronomic offerings.

The Rostock Zoo, one of the largest animal parks in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, is one of the parks which will be open to visitors again from today on. All small and large indoor animal enclosures such as the Polarium polar bear and penguin world or the Darwineum tropical hall will remain closed for the time being, as well as the playgrounds, snack bars and restaurants. Tickets are therefore offered at a reduced price. “Most of our 4,200 animals can be seen in the outdoor areas. The polar bears can be easily observed by visitors outside of the Polarium, and our extensive park invites visitors to relax and take a deep breath after this difficult time of restrictions,” comments Zoo director Udo Nagel.

For zoological gardens located in other German federal states, which still have to remain closed, the Berlin-based Association of Zoological Gardens (G.: Verband der Zoologischen Gärten) claims a binding time schedule for reopening. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the Safariland Stukenbrock has obtained a special permit to open its doors. In the past few weeks, the leisure and animal park has developed a concept for the contactless handling of its car safaris, which guests can experience again in their own cars since this weekend (cf. EAP news of 17 Apr 2020). (eap)