Krefeld Zoo Gets Green Light for Construction of New Ape House

After a “sky lantern” caused a major fire in Krefeld Zoo’s ape house on New Year’s Eve three years ago, what resulted in the tragical death of 50 animals, the Krefeld City Council gave its go-ahead and approved an amount of more than 13 million euros for the construction of a new ape park. The total cost is expected to sum up at 32.8 million euros. In addition to funds from the city, these are to be financed, by payments from the insurance company, the zoo itself, the Association of Friends of the Zoo and donations. Over the next ten years, the “Species Conservation Center Ape Park” is to be built in four successive construction phases. “We all remember the devastating night of fire and the incredible wave of solidarity after the disaster. The zoo, city administration, politicians and citizens quickly agreed: We will build a new home for the monkeys – more beautiful, more modern and more species-appropriate than ever before. The plans which are now on the table are a great success for the zoo and for Krefeld: Anyone who wants to experience apes up close and in a species-appropriate environment in our region in the future must come to Krefeld Zoo,” explains Krefeld’s Lord Mayor Frank Meyer.

In total, the previous enclosure area is to be increased fivefold to create a more species-appropriate enclosure for the endangered great ape species. The aim this year is to build a multifunctional ape house covering more than 830 square meters, consisting of two sections connected by an outdoor enclosure. In the following construction phase, a complex for orangutans will be built, consisting of a two-story warm house that will be accessible to visitors. Construction of this complex is scheduled to begin in 2024 and be completed in 2026. In the final phase of construction, scheduled to start in 2027, a warm house with an outdoor enclosure in the style of the former “chimpanzee forest” will be built in the northern part of the ape park. After completion of this, extensions to the gorilla enclosure and a walk-in tropical house for endangered smaller ape species are possible investments from 2030 on. In contrast to the former warm houses the new buildings are planned as low-energy houses, which will be equipped with photovoltaic systems. (eap)