Zoo Association Wuppertal
The Zoo-Verein Wuppertal eV is an association that aims to support the Wuppertal Zoo with donations and to donate new animal facilities. It is also called the Association of Friends and Supporters of the Wuppertal Zoo . In 2006 he was awarded the Wuppertal Business Prize .
history
The association was founded on October 27, 1955 . Since 2001 he has been a member of the Association of German Zoo Supporters . In 2015 it had around 1450 active members.
Projects
Zoo grounds
- Gibbon house
The gibbon house was opened in 1966 and expanded again in 1981 as the animals reproduced well. The house, together with the neighboring pond, is inhabited by white-handed gibbons . It was renovated again by 2005, and since then a long suspension bridge has been crossing the pond so that visitors are closer to the animals.
- Penguin plant
In 1971 the new penguin complex was donated in honor of the heraldic animal of the Wuppertal Zoo. Here, too, there are new building plans. An exact date is not yet available. The penguins can also be seen diving and swimming through large underwater panes, which was a sensation at the time of construction.
- Beaver plant
In 1981, after a short construction period, the new beaver facility was opened for the 100th anniversary of the zoo . Canadian beavers are native here . Here, too, you can accompany the animals while diving through large underwater discs. The beaver's dormitory also offers a good insight.
- Deer house
The new Hirsch facility with the large Hirsch House was also built for the 100th anniversary . The house was built into a slope to save space. Three different species of deer live here: the Milus from China , the white-lipped deer from Tibet and the rare takins that are not often found in European zoos.
- Monkey house outdoor enclosure
In 1985 the old monkey house was renovated. The zoo association also donated an outdoor area as an extension. This is where the red varis live , which belong to the semi-apes . Their original habitat is the virgin forest of Madagascar , but where they are threatened by the clearing of the forests. That is why the zoo association supports another project on the island.
- Vogel free flight hall
In 1960 the bird house was built, but from the zoo's funding. In 1993 it was converted into a free flight hall for tropical birds with the help of donations from the zoo association . Various tropical bird species from the Central and South American rainforests live here . The hall imitates the climatic conditions of the rainforests.
- Orangutan outdoor enclosure
In 2003 the new outdoor facility for the orangutans was built on approx. 600 m² . It was the Zoo Association's largest project at the time, as it cost just under € 1,150,000. It is designed very close to nature and offers the animals numerous climbing opportunities. It is very densely planted with bamboo and wood. A small stream and a protective cave between the small hills are also integrated. The enclosure is free of fences, but a rock wall and glass panes were used as demarcation.
- African penguin plant
African penguins have been kept in the zoo for decades . Until 2005 they lived with the King Penguins . When there wasn't enough space there, they got their own system. The new facility is at the point where the four-horned sheep were previously seen. It is also based on the original. In addition to a large swimming area that can be viewed through large underwater panes, the facility includes a sandy beach and a meadow with nesting caves built into the rocks.
- Transitional facility for king penguins
The facility, inaugurated on August 18, provided accommodation during the construction work on the new facility, so that the penguins could also be seen by visitors. This facility cost 350,000 euros and was used for other animal species after completion of the new one.
- King penguin plant
On the site of the outdated penguin facility, a completely renovated facility for the king penguins was built in 2008 . The project cost around 3 million euros and was carried out entirely by Vorwerk on the occasion of the company's anniversary . This gave the zoo one of the largest and most modern penguin facilities in Europe. A 15 meter long acrylic glass tunnel is one of the zoo's attractions. The facility has a good 100 m² of land and 220 cubic meters of water. Disinfection and cooling technologies have also been modernized and adapted. Gentoo penguins have also lived in the facility since 2009 .
- Little penguin plant
In 2011 the Wuppertal Zoo received little penguins from the Taronga Zoo in Australia , which have since become the only ones in a European zoo. The transition facility for the king penguins, which was only built in 2007, was redesigned in a species-appropriate manner and based on the animals' natural environment.
- Okapi plant
The Okapis' existing facility was reopened in October 2011 after only four months of construction. The outdoor area was redesigned with trenches and viewing windows. This facility, which cost around 500,000 euros, has also been designed to be animal-friendly . The primary goal here is to optimize successful breeding of the rare animal species.
Other Projects
Outside of the animal enclosures, the zoo association often takes part in the planning and implementation of various projects. In 1985, for example, the large zoo school was built to enable teachers and students to learn with a wide range of resources. The house has a large classroom, exhibits from numerous countries and its own library. The house is also used by the Zoo Association for meetings and lectures.
In 2006, on the occasion of the zoo's 125th anniversary , organized the Pinguinale , during which 200 companies could buy model penguins and design them individually. After the exhibition, these penguins were distributed all over the city, mostly in close proximity to the donating companies.
In 2007 a benefit concert followed in the Wuppertal town hall in cooperation with the Association of German Zoo Supporters for the benefit of species protection. Among other things, the well-known and sought-after Pepe Lienhard Orchestra was hired. The 20,000 euros collected were invested in the protection of southern Andean deer and the World Zoo Organization WAZA .
In 2010 the association started the Ein Otmar Alt campaign for 5 euros ; in the course of this, lots could be bought for five euros, the main prize was a painting by the artist Otmar Alt . Almost 800 lots brought in 4,000 euros, which benefited the Zoo Association and the Otmar Alt Foundation .
Planned projects
Despite many innovations, the association is still planning to redesign various animal facilities. So in future also want bonobos get a new outdoor facility that the ape house is designed to expand. Construction of the facility is scheduled to begin in 2012. An aviary for shoebills and black- billed storks is also being built. The hall, which is up to eight meters high, will have an area of 1200 m² and will cost almost 700,000 euros.
Conservation project in Madagascar
Because Madagascar was separated from Africa several million years ago , an independent animal world has developed there that is unique in the world. But now a large part of the rainforest that only occurs there is being cleared because the population is growing inexorably and increasingly demanding living space and a food supply. Animal species are often exterminated or life-threatening displaced within minutes.
Together with the capital Antananarivo , many zoological gardens are trying to preserve these animal species by buying up large areas of forest. The Zoo Association has been involved with the Wuppertal Zoo since 2001 and supports several projects. This includes a bird protection project that is being carried out in cooperation with the Walsrode World Bird Park from Lower Saxony . The program includes observations and catches for the purpose of continuing the breeding of threatened bird species. In addition, the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Costal Birds SANCCOB is being made available over 5000 euros to set up a rehabilitation station for penguins.
Another important project is the resettlement of Kagus in New Caledonia . There are currently only just under 500 Kagu pairs left in the wild, and targeted breeding prevents the species from becoming extinct. Some animals are also bred and kept in the Wuppertal Zoo.
As one of only four zoological gardens in Germany, the Wuppertal Zoo also keeps drills , a rare and endangered species of primates . The animals are threatened with extinction due to ongoing habitat destruction and the affirmation of illegal game meat trade. The zoo association supports the actions of the association Rettet den Drill e. V. by informing the zoo visitors via the boards.
Awards
- 2006: Wuppertal Business Prize , category "City Marketing Prize of the Year"
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Aviary for shoebills and black- billed storks ( Memento from May 5, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) zoo-wuppertal.de, accessed on August 21, 2012