History
The origin of the name of the City of Bern is uncertain. Many people believe that Bern means bears. Local legend has it that Berthold V (1168-1218), Duke of Zähringen and the founder of the city, vowed to name the city after the first animal he met on the hunt. As this turned out to be a bear, the city acquired its name and its coat of arms with this heraldic beast. On the other hand it has long been considered likely that the city was named after the Italian city of Verona, which at the time was known as Bern in Middle High German.
But a legend is always more intriguing, so the connection with bears was made and bears have been kept in Bern since 1513. Up until 1857 they were in the city itself, then in the bear pit and, from 2009, in the Bear Park. The early bear pits in the city had to move because of increasing traffic. The current bear pit, at the Nydeggbrücke (Nydegg bridge) near the riverside, is the fourth enclosure in the city since bears were held in a pit. It was opened on May 27, 1857. About a dozen bears lived in these historic bear pits which do not resemble the one in the picture 
. At the time they were smaller and had only a single dead tree in the middle, while the picture shows a completely renovated pit. The bear pit was completely renovated from 1994 to 1996 to improve conditions for the bears, but still it remained a pit. Therefore, today, the brown bears are kept in the adjacent Bear Park - the large uphill bear enclosure on the river bank. Both the bear pit and the Bear Park are now run and maintained by Bern Zoo.
The first plan for a zoo with predominantly European species in the city of Bern was developed in 1871 by a group of opportunistic enthusiasts who founded a Society for Acclimatisation. Two years later, their plan was dropped for a lack of shareholders. Nonetheless a park for deer and European bison was created on the slope below the Bierhübeli (Beer Hill) a well-known public house in Bern at the time, and nowadays a concert hall.
As the park did not meet the expectations, new locations were sought - among others in Dählhölzli. They even thought of abandoning the focus on native species and create a zoo with exotic animals. All attempts failed, however, for various reasons but one of them was a lack of funds. Thanks to William Gabus (1847-1901), the financing issue could be resolved. The well-to-do watchmaker left CHF 150,000 to the city of Bern for the construction of a zoological park, "if possible in Dählhölzli," according the testament.
In 1918, the City was able to acquire the Elfenau park on the southern outskirts of Bern. During the following years this site became the prime area for developing a zoological garden. However, progress was slow. Only when in 1930 the Zoo Society Bern was founded, which already had more than 1800 members two years later, things started to move. With a lot of enthusiasm and without compromise already in 1933 the Society was able to submit a draft plan for building a zoo, while preserving the beautiful landscape of the Elfenau. Nevertheless, the local community who wanted to leave the Elfenau untouched, protested against the plan. A change of location was suggested and in March 1935 the new plan was accepted by the Bern citizens in a referendum. The new Zoo was to be developed in the Dählhölzli woods close to the river Aare.
On 5 June 1937 the Zoo was opened to the public. After being led for a year by veterinarian Dr. Paul Badertscher, the young zoologist Dr. Heini Hediger was appointed director in 1938. Hediger soon became famous as an expert in animal psychology and animal husbandry. In his book 'Wild Animals in Captivity, an Outline of the Biology of Zoological Gardens,' he relied to a great extent on his experiences in Bern Zoo, now called Tierpark Dählhölzli. Hediger steered the Zoo through the difficult pre-war time with its shortages of both food and animals. Already during WWII, however, Hediger left, first to head Basel and subsequently Zurich Zoo.
Hediger's successor in 1943, Dr. Monika Meyer-Holzapfel, whose expertise in endangered and locally extinct fauna suited the Zoo's mission, was in charge when many important milestones were achieved. Besides the increase of the animal collection and subsequently the number of enclosures, the breeding successes attracted the interest of the professionals in the world of zoos. Nowadays breeding of many species in zoos is routine, but in those days successful breeding of otters, wildcats, lynxes, European bisons, wolves, kestrels, black grouse, and wood grouse was rare. In fact, of most mentioned species individuals were successfully released in the wild which made it even more exceptional. Furthermore, much progress was achieved in the nourishment of species that were notorious difficult to keep in captivity, such as reindeer, roe deer and elk. All this was done with only seven keepers who cared for 1675 animals from 335 species, of which 23 species were mammalian.
The zoo entered a period of extension in the mid 1970s. Large paddocks were built for herds of Przewalsky horses (which were bred very successfully), backcrossed 'aurochs', reindeer, and musk ox. A carnivore house for small native predators was constructed, while marmots, beavers, and even seals arrived. As part of the Zoo's conservation activities endangered species, such as sika deer, Syrian brown bears, Persian leopards, maned wolves, and Amur tigers were purchased, although these did not fit into the Zoo's focus on European indigenous species. The number of mammal species increased to 60 which included the most comprehensive collection of European fauna.
Already from the beginning parts of the Zoo were accessible for free, while an admission fee was charged for the Vivarium section. In the 1980s the Vivarium, had to undergo urgent renovations. An extensive refurbishment programme of CHF 12 million was started. New environmental friendly technology was used modernising the Vivarium, while a large glass hall was added with open top terrariums embedded in a tropical setting. Additionally, a seal pool was constructed, and mixed-species aviaries were designed. In support of the change in attitude of zoological gardens regarding their function the first Swiss zoo education centre was established.
Further improvement of the enclosures materialised in the 1990s when all the outdoor enclosures were designed according the latest standards to match the needs and enrich the lives of the animals. A new children's zoo, where kids could learn how to interact with animals, was opened in 1995. The aquatic bird collection was reduced to European avifauna including European flamingo and Dalmatian pelicans. Though on the other hand there was a trend to introduce more exotic mammals - such as wallaby, capybara and Malagasay species.
Together with a reduction in the number of species and the establishment of animal-friendly habitats, a new mission statement was introduced to mark a new era for keeping animals in captivity:
"More space for less animals" - For the welfare of animals and the pleasure of people!
(Source: Encyclopedia of the World's Zoos, Ed. Catharine E. Bell, 2001; website Tierpark Bern; Wikipedia)
Visit(s)
27.06.2015
On a hot and humid summer's day I first pay a visit to the famous bear pit of the City of Bern. Since 2009 the bears are kept in the Bear Park on the sloping grounds on the bank of the river Aare opposite the old town and close to the bear pit, but unfortunately my trip is in vain. 
The three brown bears are temporarily moved to Juraparc in Le Pont-Vallorbe, another zoo in Switzerland, because of ongoing works to further improve the large uphill facilities along the river. Thus my visit to the riverside bears is brief and after taking a few photos I head for the Zoo.
It is possible to walk from the Bear Park along the Aare river to the Zoo, which is probably faster than taking the bus (two buses actually) - my mode of transport. It definitely is much more scenic to arrive at the Zoo via the riverside walkway than by bus and the Dählhölzli woods, I discover later.
Bern Zoo or Tierpark Dählhölzli as they say in Switzerland is 19 hectares. Most parts of the zoo can be visited for free, except for the Vivarium section. Especially interesting are the enclosures at the riverbank, for which no admission fee is charged, but more on this section later.
From the bus stop it is a short walk to the edge of the forest where a signposted walk starts to the Zoo entrance. After about five minutes a small gate that give access to the Zoo grounds appears. Before I even get to the ticket office I admire a large naturalistic pond with greater or European flamingo and a row of aviaries with indigenous bird species, such as capercaillie or wood grouse, black grouse, rock ptarmigan, little owl and avocet. The latter had chicks hatched on 24 May this year in the aviary with a large pool and sandy beach. Bern Zoo is renowned for breeding native (endangered) European species and the first few exhibits confirm this.
Then the entrance appears, integrated in the Vivarium building. Immediately after the entrance there's an eye-catching glass house with inside a little jungle and emperor tamarin. To the left the building comprises two huge tanks. A tropical fresh water aquarium with inter alia Orinoco peacock bass, Xingu river ray, arowana and pacu, and a tropical salt water aquarium with the longhorn cowfish (Lactoria cornuta) as its highlight 
. The following area is called 'Trockengebiet' or dry land, to stress the difference with the wet area I just left. Clearly, it contains a variety of terrariums with reptiles such as yellow tree monitor, Solomon island skink, green python and rhinoceros iguana. The latter has quite a large open top sandy enclosure at its disposal with substantial vegetation and fake rock walls. The dry land section guides me back to the entrance hall where I now follow the corridor to the 'Urwaldvoliere' or jungle aviary. On the left side of the corridor black-capped squirrel monkeys are housed in an exhibit that mimics the veranda of an abandoned cabin in the tropics, where foodstuffs are still on stock on the shelves. I assume this is meant to be enriching the lives of the monkeys, but the scene that is created is rather odd, and I am afraid I miss the point of all this. Across from these South American monkeys there's a mixed-species African savannah aviary that comprises spot-flanked barbet, orange-breasted waxbill, black-cheeked lovebird together with short-eared elephant shrew, Barbary striped grass mouse and tropical girdled lizard (Cordylus tropidosternum).
At the end of the corridor the walk-in jungle aviary offers a nice, though small, example of what you may experience when you travel through tropical rainforest. It is called an aviary, but it actually is more than just an aviary. It is a mixed-species exhibit with a plethora of vegetation, a small waterfall and a pond covered with duckweed. It comprises birds, mammals and reptiles from the South American and Asian jungle. Moreover it provides a habitat for the butterfly splitfin (Ameca splendens), a fish that formerly was found in the Ameca river in Mexico, but has been declared Extinct in the Wild. It's obvious that the focus on indigenous European species has not been maintained in the Vivarium building, but as it turns out in the rest of the Zoo only a few species do not have its geographical origin in Europe.
A refreshing drizzle welcomes me when I step outside and leave the building to have a look at the seal pool that partly surrounds the building. Apparently, the six common seals enjoy their 2,000 m3 pool. It is one of the largest pools in Europe - up to 4 metres deep and about 100 metres from one end to the other for the seals cover. While walking along the pool to the puffin aviary I pass the separate seal rearing pool and I have a quick look at the musk oxen which have successfully produced offspring the last few years. The walk-in aviary houses birds and fish. It's a large dome-shaped aviary with ample space for the birds to express their natural behaviour except for building tunnels and burrows by the puffins, which is not possible on the boulders and in the artificial rock face. The large visitor's viewing platform can serve as a shelter for bad weather and even as a retreat while quietly watch the birds provided there are not a lot of people around.
One of my endeavours today is to check out the brown bear territory, and compare it to the enclosure in town along the river. To get there I decide to retrace my steps and walk via the open air vivarium section. From the seal pool the path first leads along the large but simple paddocks for the elk, which have a pool at their disposal that is occupied by red-eared slider turtle - a reptile that is indigenous to the Southern States of North America and Mexico, but has become well-known worldwide as pet turtles that are able to survive in many habitats when released into the wild. Moving on, several outdoor vivariums appear that house European snakes - species such as the grass snake and aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus), and three venomous snakes, the adder (Vipera berus), asp viper (Vipera aspis) and Ottoman viper (Vipera xanthina). For marginated tortoise, Europe's biggest reptile, a 100 m² terrarium resembling Mediterranean landscape with Greek island vegetation, including a hibernation cave, is available.
Across from the vivarium section two feline species are kept in purpose-built enclosures. The European wildcat has access to a rather large exhibit enclosed for approximately three-quarters with wire mesh. Nevertheless the cats have ample opportunity to shelter and go out of sight, while the boulders, tree trunks and rock face rear wall provide plenty of high-level observation posts. The other cat species belongs to the Zoo's animal collection originating outside of Europe. The Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor) enclosure is a barren rocky landscape that resembles a type of habitat that could occur in its original area in the wild, which stretches from the Caucasus to Iran and Afghanistan. The exhibit consists of two enclosures and offers sheltered areas where the leopards can retreat. The poles that carry the steel wire netting are made of oak trees of the Dählhölzli forest.
This Southwest Asian leopard landscape is only a few steps away from the visitor centre of the brown bear enclosure featuring a glass-fronted pool with trout. 
March 2012 this bear enclosure was opened and became the new home for 'Misha' and 'Masha', the two Ussuri brown bears (Ursus arctos lasiotus) that came from the east of Russia to Bern in September 2009 as a state gift from President Medvedev and his spouse. For me this enclosure is the highlight of Tierpark Dählhölzli. Its size and undulating forest landscape allow the bears to easily wander out of sight and go about their business as in the wild (see video), which is pleasantly different from the bear enclosure in town. The visitor centre provide relevant information about the brown bear species and a unique view on the bears when they enter the pool. The interior of this impressive building of natural stone and solid wood is rather dark which hides the presence of the visitors to the bears, while at the same time the calm atmosphere attracts local sparrows that are building nests under the roof.
At the uphill part of their enclosure the bears have European wolves as neighbours in a similar fenced off part of the Dählhölzli forest that contains trees, shrubs, boulders and a little stream. According the information panel wolf cubs were born two months ago on 21 April, but unfortunately no wolves big or small show themselves.
Downhill again, a row aviaries present the eagle owl, snowy owl and the Eurasian scops owl (Otus scops) in sizeable areas, each with plenty of vegetation. On my way to another impressive enclosure, the wisent forest, I visit the large, though rather plain, area where arctic fox are on display. Its simplicity is in great contrast to the enormous forest for the wisent or European bison and red deer. 
This undulating forested landscape, with a raised boardwalk that leads to a viewing platform in the centre of the area, is a perfect example of the Zoo's mission statement: “Mehr Platz für weniger Tiere” (More space for less animals). Unfortunately all the trees are protected from the animals' destructive natural behaviour to rub their antlers against the tree trunks or eating the bark, but the sheer size of the enclosure makes up for this loss of enrichment.
Since the opening of the wisent forest in 2008 fifteen calves were born of which three were reintroduced in the wild of the Biszczady National Park in Poland, together with sixteen other individuals from other European zoos, as part of a conservation programme.
As the wisent forest is the last exhibit I wanted to see in the Vivarium section and my stomach is craving for food, I leave this section and head for the restaurant that is located down by the river. The restaurant has a terrace along the riverbank with nicely shaded places for a tea break. Close to the restaurant the inevitable zoo shop opposite the petting zoo is nothing more than a souvenir shop and has no information available on the Zoo or its animals whatsoever.
Also close to the restaurant an exhibit with raccoons and raccoon dogs can be visited. As mentioned earlier this part of the Zoo along the riverbank is in the public space and therefore accessible for free. The raccoon exhibit is situated on the steeply rising ground next to the river and has a creek on the visitor's side (see video). It's only near the creek that the animals can be seen, because the rest of the enclosure comprises dense forest. 
When I take the public footpath that is part of the riverside walkway and runs along the other enclosures on the riverbank I am surprised to see that these enclosures, besides large and naturalistic, are bar-less. Moreover, they fit the species' original habitat, especially the wetlands area for the Dalmatian pelican and the Eurasian otter. But the large uphill forested area just off the river for the Eurasian lynx is not bad either. The latter enclosure is fenced off from the public area with only one fence and no corridor. So, injurious close encounters may be possible, though the enclosure is large enough for the lynx to hide from any public whenever necessary. I wonder how Zoo management is able to control the general public from throwing food into the enclosures, but apparently they haven't encounter such problems yet. Otherwise they would have rearranged already the accessibility of the exhibits, I suppose.
Conclusion
Bern Zoo, or Tierpark Dählhölzli, does live up to its mission statement that they keep less animals in larger facilities. Many of these facilities are naturalistic. Their original plan to keep only indigenous species obviously didn't work out, so non-European species can be found as well these days. The animal collection is therefore a bit messy if you ask me, and in addition comprises quite a few species that are not endangered. Nonetheless, enclosures such as for Ussuri brown bear, wisent and Eurasian otter are outstanding. These large and modern landscape immersion exhibits can withstand any comparison in the zoo community on a global scale.
Gallery
Video
Two brown bears play-fighting and chasing each other
Shot through the glass of the visitor centre of the brown bear enclosure you see the two brown bears in just a small part of their magnificent enclosure. The pool in which they play-fight contains trout for enrichment. The bear enclosure was opened in March 2012 and became the new home for 'Misha' and 'Masha', the two Ussuri brown bears (Ursus arctos lasiotus) that came from the east of Russia to Bern in September 2009 as a state gift from President Medvedev and his spouse.
Feeding the puffins
There's excitement when fish is handed out to the puffins in the walk-in aviary. It houses birds, such as common puffin, Arctic stern and Eurasian golden plover, and fresh water fish. The large dome-shaped aviary provide ample space for the birds to express their natural behaviour, except for puffins building tunnels and burrows due to the hard surface of the boulders and the artificial rock face.
A raccoon dabbling for underwater food near the shoreline
Against all odds this raccoon is exploring the riverbed dabbling for underwater food. He must have done this already many times and should know all edible stuff has gone already. But it is the behaviour raccoon is so well known for. In fact part of the species' scientific name is derived from this behaviour; Procyon lotor; 'lotor' is neo-Latin for 'washer'.
More info
Signage and information
The Zoo is fitted with graphical signposting and an interactive information system that includes braille. They use two different kind of information panels at the enclosures. 
All enclosures have got small panels that provide lots of information on the respective species, including the scientific name next to their name in German, French, Italian and English. All other info is provided in German only and in letters with a very small font-size, and without any graphics either. So you really need to read all the info to become aware of the species' original habitat, feeding behaviour and more. For instance, whether the species is endangered and takes part in a breeding programme or not. Unfortunately, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ classification is not mentioned. 
At several enclosures larger panels provide room for zookeepers to inform the visitors about recent developments regarding the respective species, such as births and results of conservation efforts.
Pigeons in the city of Bern
Domestication of the pigeon
Wild rock doves (Columba livia) are the ancestors of our domestic pigeons. Rock doves have been domesticated for several thousand years, giving rise to Columba livia domestica. The wild ancestors were captured by humans and domesticated for different purposes, such as as food, exotic breeds, sports (the homing pigeon), and work (carrier pigeon). Many domestic birds have escaped or have been released ever since, and have given rise to the feral pigeon. These feral pigeons are found in large numbers in cities and towns all over the world, where they find food and sheltered nesting opportunities. Rock doves live 10-15 years, city pigeons 2-3 years.
While the current rock dove population size is decreasing (IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™), the domestic city pigeon has become a nuisance in many places due to the sheer size of its population. The decreasing population trend of the pure wild species is partly due to interbreeding with their feral domesticated conspecifics.
Problems with city pigeons
Pigeons are well adapted to urban environments. They find plenty of food and there are no natural enemies. It is not just the size of the flocks and the droppings of city pigeons on buildings that is a problem, but the fear of the transfer of dangerous micro-organisms to humans that is considered an issue that needs to be addressed as well. Human contact with pigeon droppings may pose a small health risk, in fact only three human diseases caused by infectious agents are known to be associated with pigeon droppings: histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and psittacosis1. Nevertheless in most cities pigeons are considered a nuisance. Various measures are applied to decrease the population size of the feral city pigeons. The measures range from feeding bans, mechanical defences such as nets, needles and wires as a landing obstacle, shooting, poisoning, avian contraceptives, to the active hunt by falconers.
History of the Bernese pigeons
20 years ago, the city of Bern experienced a pigeon plague. More than 10,000 pigeons populated the residential area of the city of Bern. As a result, pigeon management has been established, which has had a positive effect: the pigeon population currently adds up to around 500 birds. But the pigeon caretaker, who was in charge of the bird management for more than 20 years, had given up his work in spring 2011. Tierpark Dählhölzli has officially been appointed to take charge of the new approach of the management of the city pigeons of Bern in June 2011.
New approach to reduce the pigeon population
Authorities often apply measures that impair animal welfare to keep the feral pigeon population at bay, such as shooting or poisoning the animals. Since 2011 the city of Bern is approaching the problem in a more animal friendly way.
With the help of Tierpark Dählhölzli a newly developed pigeon management concept is adopted that regulates the care, support and management of the pigeons. Within the new framework the city pigeons not only receive a well-balanced appropriate compound feed in their pigeon nests, while the pigeon population is reduced and made healthier. As many pigeons as possible are captured and brought to the Tierpark where they are treated against ectoparasites. Moreover, they have an endoscopic check-up under full anaesthesia. When a pigeon shows severe health problems it is put down. During the procedure male pigeons are sterilised, which apparently has no effect on their courtship behaviour. After full recovery all pigeons are released again.
In addition, the new concept ensures official contact points for people to address 'pigeon issues'.
(Source: website Dählhölzli; Swissinfo.ch, 19.03.2012; Wikipedia; 1NYC-Health - Facts about pigeon-related diseases)
Zoo details
Some additional information, such as contact details and involvement in breeding programmes.
Location
Directions
directions to Bern Zoo, Tierpark Dählhölzli
Bern harbours two zoological parks, the Bear Park and Dählhölzli - the actual zoo. The Bear Park is located on walking distance from the historic centre of the city, while Dählhölzli is just a short bus ride away from the city centre.
| Address: | ||
Tierpark Dählhölzli | Bear Park Grosser Muristalden 6 CH-3006 Bern Switzerland |
public transport
Dählhölzli
Bus line 19, direction Elenau, from the main railway station (near the Media Markt) to the 'Tierpark' stop, then turn right into Thormannstrasse. At the edge of the woods, after the three owls, you will find the first orientation map. Just follow the signs to the Vivarium entrance, about 5 minutes walk.
Bear Park
Bus line 12, direction Paul Klee Centre, from the main railway station. It is a 6 minutes ride.
If you stay in a tourist accommodation in the city of Bern, you will receive a Bern Ticket which lets you travel for free on public transport in the city centre zones, that includes the Zoo.
by bicycle
The river Aare travels through the city of Bern. Therefore part of the cycling you can do around the city is fairly easy, just stay close to the river. This will bring you to the Zoo, because both Dählhölzli and the Bear Park are situated on the river bank, though in different parts of town. Unfortunately, you have to cover some (steep) climbs - it's still Switzerland - if you choose to navigate the city, so you have to be fit. There are several places where bikes can be hired, including e-bikes, for instance at the main railway station. The Swiss Rail System has a bike rental scheme where cyclists can ride from one town to another and drop off their bike at any station in Switzerland. Bicycles can also be carried on trains. So there is no reason not to cycle to the Zoo, or it must be that it so easy to reach by public transport.
At the Vivarium entrance of Dählhölzli there is a bicycle rack for about 10 bicycles available.
by car
When you go by car take Motorway A6 and exit at 'Bern-Ostring'. The Zoo, Dählhölzli, is signposted from there.
Beware that there is only a limited number of parking spaces, and a fee is charged!
I do not recommend to go to the Bear Park by car.
Zoo map
Download the zoo map here.
