Here you’ll find a concise overview of our zoo:

In Cologne, one of the oldest cities in Central Europe, tradition is a top priority. The Cologne Zoo also places great importance on its history. After all, it is the third-oldest zoo in Germany. Follow our evolution here in this illustrated time-lapse.

The Zoologischer Garten Köln stock corporation was founded on the initiative of Dr. Casper Garthe, a high school teacher in Cologne. Following his recommendation, Dr. Heinrich Bodinus, a physician, was appointed the zoo’s first director. Within 10 months, 40 animal enclosures were built from scratch, allowing the Cologne Zoo to open its gates to the public on July 22, 1860.

Construction of the old elephant house in the Moorish style. Originally designed as a giraffe and antelope house, an extension for elephants was added in 1874. Throughout its long history, the house has been home to various animal species, such as giraffes, antelopes, elephants, hippos, rhinos, and tapirs. Today, it is the oldest surviving building at the Cologne Zoo.

Construction of the three cattle barns. The original nine fenced-in outdoor enclosures were replaced in 1958 by three ditches that block the view. Today, musk oxen and bison live in the two combined outdoor enclosures set against the backdrop of the historic cattle barns.

Construction of the historic Sea Lion Rock. War-related repairs and renovations followed in 1955 and 1961. Just in time for the 120th anniversary, the facility underwent partial renovation, so that the old waterfall now flows once again, just as it did when it first opened.

Construction of the large aviary in the style of a Russian cathedral. This building has undergone various changes throughout its long history. After 1903, it even housed chimpanzees and orangutans. The building was almost completely destroyed during World War II. The bird population declined as the zoo shifted its focus to animals such as gorillas, bonobos, and marmosets. After the primates were moved to the new Great Ape House in 1985, the building was redesigned to house South American birds and marmosets. The master plan calls for the renovation of the South American House while preserving its historic exterior façade. Inside, a walk-through tropical house for animals from the South American continent will be created.

Construction of the Baboon Rock in the style of the panoramic and open-view enclosures introduced by Carl Hagenbeck. The rock, nearly ten meters high, is still home to the highly agile hamadryas baboons. Over 500 young hamadryas baboons have been born on Monkey Island. Today, around 70 hamadryas baboons bring this historic exhibit – a favorite among many visitors – to life.

During World War I and the Great Depression in the late 1920s, development projects at the Cologne Zoo came to a standstill. As a result, the city acquired a majority stake, thereby saving the zoo from closure at that time. To this day, the city continues to cover the losses.

The closure and reopening of the zoo, which had been almost completely destroyed. Most of the animals had not survived the war. Despite the sparse animal population, people flocked back to the zoo, where they could enjoy an oasis of calm in war-torn Cologne.

The City of Cologne presents a master plan for the future redesign of the zoo. The grounds are expanded to 20 hectares. The zoo is now four times as large as it was in 1860, the year it was founded.

The first issue of the zoo magazine “Freunde des Kölner Zoos” is published. To this day, it is aimed at friends and supporters of the zoo. In 2017, it will mark its 60th year of publication.

The Cologne Zoo is the first German zoo to open a zoo school and will now offer a comprehensive educational program for preschools and schools. In 2014, to mark its 50th anniversary, the Zoo School will move into new facilities on the upper floor of the Clemenshof. The Zoo School teachers have access to state-of-the-art technology to inspire the approximately 20,000 students who visit each year to learn about the animal world.

As part of the Federal Garden Show taking place in Cologne, the aquarium – which includes an integrated terrarium and insectarium – will open. To this day, the aquarium remains a popular destination for visitors. With its variety of reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects, it is home to nearly half of the species living at the Cologne Zoo.

The Lemur House opened, gaining a worldwide reputation at the time for its numerous breeding successes. Today it is known as the Madagascar House. Among other things, it not only provides a home for the rare and critically endangered greater bamboo lemur but also features an exhibit for turtles, amphibians, and birds from this unique island world.

Founding of the “Friends of the Cologne Zoo” support association. Thanks to the active support of the association, a large number of projects – both small and large – were able to be carried out. These include, among others, the Rainforest House, the Elephant Park, and the Hippodome.

To mark the zoo’s 125th anniversary, the Jungle House for great apes is opening. Humans’ closest relatives live here in spacious indoor enclosures set amid a tropical rainforest. After orangutans and gorillas were immediately provided with suitable outdoor enclosures, the bonobos’ outdoor enclosure opened in 1996.

A number of spacious enclosures – which remain modern even today – were opened. Among others, this period saw the creation of naturalistic enclosures for cheetahs, red pandas, leopards, and okapis. In 1997, the Owl Monastery was opened as a project of the Friends of the Zoo.

The REGENWALD, the new tropical house for Southeast Asian animals and plants, is opening. For the first time, visitors will be able to see birds, reptiles, and flying foxes in an interactive hall without barriers.

The last polar bear leaves the Cologne Zoo. In the years that follow, the old polar bear enclosure is initially used for a seal research project by the University of Bochum. In 2010, the enclosure is then redesigned for the flight show.</>

The Cologne Elephant Park, the largest open-range enclosure for Asian elephants north of the Alps, is opening. Covering an area of two hectares, the park can accommodate up to 20 animals without direct contact with their keepers, allowing them to live in their natural social groups.

AG Zoologischer Garten Köln takes over Zoo Gastronomie GmbH. The day-to-day operations of the food service division are now the responsibility of the zoo.

Following the retirement of Zoo Director Prof. Dr. Gunter Nogge, Prof. Theo B. Pagel and Christopher Landsberg will take over as the zoo’s new executive directors. As director, Prof. Theo B. Pagel will be responsible for biological operations. Christopher Landsberg will take over as chief financial officer.

The Hippodom is opening just in time for the zoo’s 150th anniversary. Set amid a recreated African river landscape, hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, and various species of birds and small mammals live here in spacious enclosures.

Opening of the giant anteater enclosure, which thematically complements the tapir enclosure that opened in 2008 and thus expands the zoo’s South American section.

Opening of the Clemenshof. It is modeled after a small farm in the Bergisch region. Eleven different species of farm animals live there on more than 4,000 square meters – particularly those threatened with extinction. Zoo visitors of all ages can learn everything about rare native animal species and small-scale food production here. They can also get up close to the animals in the new petting zoo area. On the upper floor of the Clemenshof, spacious, modern facilities are being built for the zoo school.

Hennes IX, the mascot of 1. FC Köln, lives at the Cologne Zoo and is the most famous resident of the Clemenshof.

The two ZooShops will be completely modernized and incorporated as subsidiaries into AG Zoologischer Garten Köln. The larger of the two ZooShops will open in the basement of the newly built Clemenshof. The existing shop building at the side entrance will be completely renovated and also reopened.

A completely new building with a modern design is being constructed on the site of the former restaurant. The restaurant, which has been part of AG Zoologischer Garten Köln since 2004, can now also host events and functions in a separate annex.

The zoo is opening a new enclosure for Asian wild cattle (bantengs), featuring a heated house designed in a Southeast Asian style and a spacious outdoor area with a cascading water feature. In addition, the adjacent playground and Café Almira’s dining facilities are being expanded.

Opening of the renovated enclosure for Asian lions. Among other features, the enclosure includes a platform approximately 2.50 meters high with heated resting areas, a cave modeled in front of the platform, and elaborate artificial rock cladding.

The zoo is opening a new enclosure for the world’s largest cat, the Amur tiger. The enclosure has been extensively modernized and significantly expanded. Visitors can get up close to the tigers. For the first time, the new enclosure features a staircase leading down to the moat level with extra-large viewing windows offering a view of the big cats. Other new features include elaborate artificial rockwork, a stream, a 5-meter-high climbing tree, and the training wall, where zookeepers conduct enrichment programs with the animals in full view of visitors.

The two giant viewing windows and the tiger den at the new “Tigerhütten” snack bar also offer new, spectacular views. Here, visitors can enjoy a wide-angle view of the entire enclosure.

The Cologne Zoo is celebrating its 160th anniversary. This makes it the third-oldest zoo in Germany.

The “Arnulf and Elizabeth Reichert” House has opened as a walk-through jungle experience featuring free-roaming sloths, monkeys, and birds from Central and South America. Toucans, salt cats, and armadillos can also be seen in their own enclosures. The Russian-style confectioner’s building, originally designed for birds in 1899, underwent a comprehensive renovation in accordance with historic preservation guidelines at a cost of 12 million. Funding came from the City of Cologne, the NRW Foundation, the German Foundation for Monument Preservation, donations, and the zoo’s own resources.

The former director’s villa is being transformed into a modern event and conference venue. Thanks to a restoration carried out in accordance with historic preservation guidelines, the neoclassical building – one of the first on the zoo grounds – now shines in new splendor.

The zoo is opening a new rhino enclosure. It is twice as large, offers additional enrichment opportunities, and provides space to house another black rhinoceros as part of the conservation breeding program for this critically endangered species. Zoo visitors will have many new opportunities to observe the animals. The new attraction is part of the Magomba-Svanne area currently under construction, in accordance with the zoo’s master plan.

The Cologne Zoo will celebrate its 165th anniversary in 2025. 165? That number seems to hold special significance at the zoo. At least according to Human Resources. That’s because 165 is also the average number of employees who roll up their sleeves day in and day out at the zoo. They do their very best for the animals – big and small – at the zoo. They maintain the park grounds and trees, care for the animals, tend to the animal enclosures and technical systems, and, of course, attend to the needs of our more than 1 million annual visitors – whether they’re buying tickets, stopping by the snack stand, or shopping in the zoo store.

Twice as large, a multifunctional indoor enclosure, numerous additional activities, and exciting views for visitors: After about two years of construction, the Cologne Zoo is opening its new enclosure for Kordofan giraffes.