Rostock Zoo Celebrates 125th Anniversary

(eap) Rostock Zoo on the German Baltic coast is celebrating its 125^th anniversary. The start of the anniversary year was celebrated last Friday together with guests from politics, administration and public life as well as the zoo’s partners and sponsors. After a review of the zoo’s eventful 125-year history, zoo director Antje Angeli thanked all companions and partners and provided information about upcoming highlights. “Education, research, nature and species conservation, recreation and sustainability – that’s what Rostock Zoo stands for,” emphasized the zoo director in front of around 100 guests.

“The zoo is a favourite place for many people in Rostock and our guests. It is not only a beautiful park with animals from all over the world, it is also an important place for environmental education, a local recreation area, a historical garden and a tourist magnet. I would like to thank all those who are committed to our Rostock Zoo today, in the past and in the future, both full-time and on a voluntary basis, as well as the many supporters. Congratulations on your birthday! We will continue to support the zoo as a city and as citizens of Rostock to the best of our ability,” said Mayor Eva-Maria Kröger.

Viel los auf der Baustelle an der Robbenanlage – der Baufortschritt ist nun deutlich zu sehen. © Foto: Zoo Rostock/Joachim Kloock

“One of the focal points of this year is the construction work on the new seal enclosure, which is due to open in spring 2025. Construction progress is now clearly visible. The renovation of the Käfer café will also go hand in hand with this. For the 2025 season, we want to offer our zoo visitors a high-quality experience around the new seal enclosure,” emphasized Angeli. The balance between new facilities and the preservation of historic buildings through conservation refurbishment plays a major role in this. “The Trotzenburg entrance, built between 1909 and 1910, will also soon shine in new splendor.”

All necessary construction measures for the next 15 to 20 years are currently being recorded in an action plan. This will provide an important working and decision-making basis for deriving a strategy for the continuous and sustainable development of the zoo.

In addition, the zoo is hosting various events. Besides the 25^th Classical Night of the North German Philharmonic Orchestra on June 7 under the motto “Vienna, Vienna, only you alone”, a meerkat concert will take place for the first time especially for children on June 8. Furthermore, on June 22, the MV Festival with Götz Alsmann, the “King of Jazz”, will be a guest at Rostock Zoo. There will also be exhibitions and lectures, the Biodiversity Festival on May 22, the Species Conservation Day on September 8 and the Great Zoo Festival on September 22. “We want to put more emphasis on our forest and set up a small forest trail for our guests. The zoo’s birthday will also be visible in the cityscape,” said the zoo’s director. ■