
Asian Elephants Berlin Zoo
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If you are staying at any of the great hotels in Berlin, you
are undoubtedly staying within walking distance of this
zoo. It is
located on the outskirts of the Tiergarten, the large park in the center of
the city. The park itself is bigger than the country of Monaco. |
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[more pics]
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The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas
maximus), sometimes known by the name of one of its subspecies – the
Indian Elephant, is one of the three living
species
of
elephant, and the only living species of the genus
Elephas.
It is the largest living land animal in
Asia. The
species is found primarily in
Bangladesh,
India,
Sri
Lanka,
Indochina and parts of
Nepal and
Indonesia (primarily Borneo), and
Thailand. It is considered
endangered, with between 41,410 and 52,345 left in the wild.[2]
This animal is widely
domesticated, and has been used in
forestry in
South and
Southeast Asia for centuries and also in
ceremonial purposes. Historical sources indicate that they were
sometimes used during the harvest season primarily for milling. Wild
elephants attract
tourist
money to the areas where they can most readily be seen, but damage
crops, and may enter villages to raid gardens. |
What to expect at the Berlin zoo.
Thousands of great animals included in a well laid out zoo/aquarium setup.
I was surprised by the size of the place. Not just a cage with
one or two elephants but, apparently, a whole african savanah with a herd of
elephants. Not just elephants, but
giraffes,
lions, gorillas,
kangaroos,
polar bears,
tigers,
emus and, even, a glimpse of (not one, but two)
okapi. |
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from
wikipedia
"The Berlin
Zoological Garden (German:
Zoologischer Garten Berlin)
is the oldest and internationally most well known zoo in
Germany.
Opened in 1844 it comprises an area of 35 hectares and is located in
Berlin,
Tiergarten. With almost 1,400 different
species
and around 14,000 animals the zoo presents the most comprehensive collection
of species in the world.
The zoo and its
aquarium
numbered 3.2 million visitors in 2007. It is considered to be the most
visited zoo in Europe and one of the most popular worldwide. Regular animal
feedings are among its most famous attractions. Several globally known
animals like
Knut, the polar bear or Bao Bao, the Giant Panda are contributing to the
zoo's public image.
The zoo is closely collaborating on scientific fields with a large number
of universities, research institutes, and other zoos around the world. It
maintains and promotes numerous
European breeding programmes and safeguards several endangered species.
A number of species kept at the 'Berlin Zoo' are regularly returned to the wild after
years in intensive human care."

A couple of nice places to eat, inside or out. Lots of signs pointing
the way and a comprehensive
zoo map in our guide book.
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