
Giraffes Berlin Zoo
|
|

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.
|
|

[more pics]
 |
The giraffe (Giraffa
camelopardalis) is an
African
even-toed ungulate
mammal,
the tallest of all land-living
animal
species,
and the largest
ruminant. It is covered in large, irregular patches of yellow to
black fur separated by white, off-white, or dark yellowish brown
background. The average mass for an adult male giraffe is 1,191 kilograms
(2,630 lb) while the average mass for an adult female is 828 kilograms
(1,830 lb). It is approximately 4.3 metres (14 ft) to 5.2 metres (17 ft)
tall, although the tallest male recorded stood almost 6 metres (20 ft).
The giraffe is related to
deer and
cattle,
but is placed in a separate
family,
the
Giraffidae, consisting of only the giraffe and its closest relative,
the okapi.
Its range extends from
Chad in
Central Africa to
South Africa.
Giraffes usually
inhabit
savannas,
grasslands, or open
woodlands. However, when food is scarce they will venture into areas
with denser
vegetation. They prefer areas with plenty of
acacia
growth. They will drink large quantities of water when available which
enables them to live for extended periods in dry, arid areas. |
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. |
|
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.
|