Wittenberg animal park

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Entrance to the zoo

The Wittenberg Zoo is a zoological garden on Juristenstrasse on the edge of the old town of Lutherstadt Wittenberg .

history

In 1928, a specially set up commission began to redesign the city's fortifications, which had been abandoned in the 1870s and gradually dismantled. Part of this concept, which aimed in particular at gaining a promenade for recreational activities for the Wittenbergers, were also some animal enclosures, among others. a. for housing ravens. Using the nearby swan pond, waterfowl such as mandarin ducks and barnacle geese were purchased. There was also a gate with heather sheep. In the 1930s, these facilities were expanded and other mammals such as rhesus monkeys and mink were added. The zoo of Halle (Saale) is participating in the construction of the Wittenberg animal facilities with loans. The Second World War temporarily halted these activities. From 1957 onwards, several citizens of Wittenberg revived the animal husbandry tradition - now concentrated on today's zoo grounds. On the initiative of these private breeders, today's zoo was officially (re) founded as a petting zoo in 1967 . After this privately operated and voluntarily run facility enjoyed growing popularity, the city council decided in 1974 to expand it. Several adjoining allotment gardens were combined and larger enclosures were created. In addition to native species, more and more tropical forms came into the population. Particular attention was paid to keeping small monkeys . Extensive modernization and renovation work began after 1990 and has continued to the present day. In addition to the admission fees paid on a voluntary basis, the zoo is borne by the city, which also finances the staff. Since 2002, the association has taken over the coordination and organization of the zoo from the city.

Livestock

Today the zoo includes several hundred animals in around 76 species . A focus on the primates with golden-headed lion tamarin , lemurs , pygmy marmoset and tamarin (not in stock are black and white ruffed lemurs and Gehaubte Capuchin ). The facility for rock hyrax is a specialty . In addition, smaller ungulates , rodents, meerkats , coatis , water birds and owls are kept. There are also pond turtles and corn snakes as representatives of the reptiles.

Aquarium

The aquarium housed in a former bunker is a special feature. It is unique in Saxony-Anhalt and focuses on the fish world of the region, in particular the Elbe and Elster rivers and the Baltic Sea (e.g. a dogfish). This is presented in various real-life cold water pools. In addition to fish , amphibians and some invertebrates can also be seen.

literature

  • Jörg Bielig (Hrsg.): Wittenberg - city guide through the city and surroundings . City guide with city map, 1st edition 1990.
  • Michael Schulze (Ed.): Wittenberg in one day. A city tour. 2017.
  • Irina Steinmann: Anniversary in the zoo. Common ravens in the casemate. Mitteldeutsche Zeitung from August 15, 2018.
  • Stefan Müller: The zoo in Wittenberg. Signpost. 2nd edition 1988.
  • Karl Wendel (Ed.): Water birds on the Elbe and Elster . 1st edition 1983.
  • Heinz Mayer: Wittenberg Zoo. Guide and route plan. 1st edition 1997.

Web links

Coordinates: 51 ° 52 ′ 9.3 "  N , 12 ° 38 ′ 27"  E