History
The Zurich Zoological Garden Society (TGZ in German) was founded in 1925 with the aim of establishing a zoo. The society soon acquires the property Säntisblick which is earmarked as the site for the zoo to be situated. What follows is that TGZ is converted into an association to support the Zoo and Zoological Garden, which is established in cooperative ownership in 1928. And on 7 September 1929 the Zoo is officially opened by the Mayor of Zürich, Dr. Emil Klöti. On 15 September already 20,835 individuals visit the zoo. In the first years a black panther and a leopard escape from their outside enclosure. Both are shot, the panther after 10 weeks of freedom, to prevent any harm to be done by these big predators. Following in the footsteps of Carl Hagenbeck the zoo organises in 1935 shows with exotic people (Moroccans) to attract visitors. Also in 1935 the tiger's Fountain in front of the zoo entrance is created, by Rudolf Wening. Although Switzerland is neutral during WWII the army is alert and five of the nine zookeepers are mobilised for the army. The Zoo manages to maintain operations by use of volunteers. But like many zoos during the war they suffer from shortages. For instance feed, but also coal, which prevents sufficient heating of the buildings during the winter. To be independent of food supply during the war the Zoo rents some land and grow their own crops (grain, potatoes and corn).
In 1949 the Zoo had to close for three weeks because of a rampant foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. Unfortunately the effect of the loss of income was felt for a much longer period because the rural people shunned the zoo as they were afraid to spread the disease any further. When in 1953 zoologist Prof. Dr. Heini Hediger, former director of the Bern Zoo and the Basel Zoo, was appointed Zoo director a more scientific approach was introduced for the Zoo's management. He also introduced a system of information on the enclosures and its species, called the Hediger boards. Many zoos copied this system and it is still in use to date. As Hediger didn't want to be confronted again with a total closure of the zoo due to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, he drafted a plan in which the ungulates were housed separately from the other animals. This plan required expansion of the grounds and therefore quite some financial resources. Lack of budget made an end to these ideas. Nevertheless in 1962 the Zürich population voted for subsidy payments by the city and the canton, which allowed for renovation and improvement to be pursued. And as one of the results the Africa house with rhinoceroses and hippopotamuses was opened in 1965. After Hediger retires from the job he is awarded the "Award for cultural services" from the city of Zurich. The eulogy is presented by Konrad Lorenz.
In 1981 the new Animal Welfare Regulation comes into force and set standards for the size of enclosures. As a result, Zoo management decides that they cannot keep some species any longer. Further improvement is made by establishing a quarantine station and veterinary quarters. Although the Zoo experiences some good breeding results, like the birth of their first elephant and the first European breeding success with the Galapagos giant tortoise, a Masterplan is drafted to enable further development of the Zoo according new standards. With the South American cloud-forest enclosure for the spectacled bear and the coatimundi, the first phase of expansion is achieved in 1995 in accordance with the masterplan. Next, a more serious output is given to the aim of nature conservation by signing a contract with the government of Madagascar regarding conservation efforts to preserve the rainforest on the Masoala peninsula. In 2003 this also results in the opening of the Masoala Rainforest exhibit, a unique ecosystem hall, the Zoos showpiece. Additional to the Zoo's nature conservation programmes that have been developed over the years, the Zoo reduces its CO2 emission by 1450 tonnes per year using a woodchip plant, which used the wood of the surrounding forest, in combination with the district heating network of the city.
In the meantime the Himalaya enclosure was opened, a new lion enclosure, and in 2008 an African mountains area, which is inhabited by gelada baboons, Nubian ibex, Cape hyrax and blue-winged geese. Based on these geographical focused enclosures a new Masterplan 2030 has been drafted which will lead to a complete zoological-geo/climate orientation of the enclosures in Zürich zoo.
(Source: website Zürich zoo)
Visit(s)
01.06.2010
Like many zoos all over the world, Zürich Zoo is busy modernising its enclosures. Though a lot has been changed already in this Zoo, some relics of the past can still be seen (or admired, for those who love history). Located at the Eastern outskirts of town leaning against the Zürichberg, the designers made great use of this mountain with its trees and shrubs. At some point they make you believe that the animals can roam around freely in a natural environment. Like the spectacled bear and the coatimundis who both live in the clouded forest, which is a magnificent green place with a waterfall and little stream, and rocks and foliage to shelter the animals. Just a few viewing spots allow the public to observe the animals. The Swiss mountains cannot be compared with the roughness of the Himalayas at high altitude, nevertheless the enclosure for the snow leopards provides a good feel of how life would be in real nature for those wild felines. And they seem to do very well. Although the female is limping with her right hind leg, which shows muscular atrophy, the pair produced a cub just a month ago at 5 May. Almost all the enclosures for the carnivores are spacious and provide shelter, hide-outs and places where the animals can survey the area. This makes it sometimes hard for the public to see the animals, but it is what I expect from a good zoo: focus on the animal's welfare.
Therefore I was so disappointed with the newly designed enclosure for the Pallas' cat, which turns out to be just a big mesh wired cage. Old-fashioned exhibition built it in 2006, incredible! Another disappointment was the enclosure for the Asian small-clawed otter, which was situated inside with no outside areas at all, like in Amsterdam Zoo, but unlike Amsterdam there was only a small pond for the animals. The Asian elephant's house is too small and in due time these big animals will be transferred to a bigger enclosure, which is under construction and scheduled to open in 2012. The ungulates are waiting for extension of their enclosures and creation of real herds, but overall they are well-off.
The enclosure for the primates deserves special attention, because it is so surprising. From the outside it is inconspicuous, but as soon as you enter the building it appears to be a gem. You can find 8 orang-utans, 5 adults and 3 young of different age. There are also 8 gorillas, one silverback and 5 young, next to pileated gibbons with young, siamang and yellow breasted capuchins. The enclosures for the orang-utans and gorillas is not very large regarding the number of animals to house, but they all seem to enjoy themselves. The young playing with each other and with all the objects provided, and climbing on the mesh wired walls and roofs. There are enough areas where they can separate animals, when newly introduced, sick or being an outcast. They created more or less specific environments for the different species using different types of bottom covering, and different enrichment. The connected outside areas are not large, and are still built according the exhibition principle, unfortunately.
In general the animals are bio-geographically grouped, which is stressed by creating artificial borders on the pathways to show the visitor he is entering another bio-zone. The Zoo even has a dedicated enclosure mimicking a Madagascan jungle, the Masoala rainforest, which is built close to the original zoo grounds. It is attached via a footpath, but it has also a separate entrance. It is impressive. It is artificial, but it provides the feeling of a real jungle, a jungle with a roof. It smells even like real jungle. Red ruffed lemurs are foraging above your head like they own the place, and they do of course. Walking along the path you can meet a chameleon and the birds are flying around in the enormous space. According the information provided, the Masoala rainforest, as a big greenhouse, is an energy and greenhouse gas friendly exhibit, which altogether adds to the amazement this artificial jungle generates.
As said before the Zoo is still modernising the grounds. This is visible when entering the Zoo, where just after the entrance work is in progress on a South-American enclosure, Pantanal, for capybaras, Chile flamingos and ant-eaters, and an island for squirrel monkeys which will be accessible for the public. To be ready in spring 2012, and all being realised with private funds!
The Zoo has an impressive track record regarding their breeding results, which shows during my visit, because many species produced offspring lately.
Gallery
Video
Snow leopard twins
Footage of the snow leopard twins, born May 2014 in Zürich Zoo, while they explore the outdoor enclosure for the first time:
Source: website Zürich Zoo
More info
Some additional information, such as contact details and involvement in breeding programmes.
Location
Directions
Directions to Zürich Zoo
The Zoo is easily reached by public transport, and as a nature conservation centre, Zurich Zoo management recommends that visitors use public transport.
Address:
Zürichbergstrasse 221
8044
Zürich
Switzerland
public transport
Travel by public transport all the way and support Zurich Zoo's conservation! You also benefit from SBB's attractive RailAway leisure travel special offer: reduced entry with combined transport and zoo entrance ticket.
From Bahnhofstrasse/Hauptbahnhof with tram no.6 direction Zoo.
From Bellevue (Bahnhof Stadelhofen) with tram no.5 direction Kirche Fluntern; there do change to tram no.6 to Zoo (on Sundays tram no.5 partly goes directly to Zoo).
From Stettbach or Dübendorf with tram no. 12 direction Bahnhof Stetbach or with the bus no.751 direction Kirche Fluntern until Zoo/Forrenweid.
From Irchel with the bus no.39 until Klosterweg (not listed on the map).
Download map with overview of public transportation to the Zürich Zoo here.
Enter the name of your station or bus stop here. The online trip planner calculates the fastest connections to the two stops of the zoo.
by cable car
All aboard! From the S-Bahn city train, board the cable car and marvel at the view high up en route to Zurich Zoo! The cable car is due to start in 2015.
The planned cable car to Zurich Zoo will service the area from the zoo and Stettbach train station. Visitors can reach the zoo quickly, easily and save the environment. The cable car allows visitors to travel in comfort - the trip is about 2 kilometres. The cable car is also accessible for families with young children and buggies or disabled visitors with wheelchairs. Stettbach is also easily accessible by S-Bahn, Glattalbahn, tram and bus.
For more information about the planned cable car, please visit www.zooseilbahn.ch
by bicycle
Visitors not travelling by public transport or car can reach the zoo by using the hiking trails or cycle routes. For instance you can cycle to Zürichberg from Dübendorf, but whatever route you choose you should be fit because this is Switzerland and it will be hard to find a flat route. And Zürich Zoo is up the mountain!
by car
At the zoo, official City of Zurich parking spaces are available for a fee (CHF 00.50 per hour, up to a maximum of six hours).
External car parking:
>> If the car park is full, please use external parking spaces. Access to the zoo is on foot or by bus.
>> Additional car parking spaces are available at the Hohe Promenade multi-storey car park, near VBZ Bellevue and Kunsthaus stops. Take tram number 5 to Zurich Zoo.
Please note: on Sundays and public holidays parking spaces near the zoo are often full.
Zoo map
Download the zoo map here.
