
Greater Rheas 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 rheas are species of
ratites (flightless
birds, with unkeeled sterna) in the genus Rhea, native to
South America. There are two existing species: the
Greater or American Rhea and the
Lesser or Darwin's Rhea. The genus name was given in 1752 by
Paul Mohring and adopted as the English common name. Mohring's
reason for choosing this name, from the
Rhea of classical mythology, is not known. "Rheas"
are large, flightless birds with grey-brown plumage, long legs and long
necks, similar to an
ostrich.
These birds can reach 5.6 feet (1.7 m), and weigh up to 88 pounds
(40 kg). Their wings are large for a flightless bird and are spread
while running, to act like sails. Unlike most birds, rheas have only
three toes. Their
tarsus
has horizontal plates on the front of it. They also store urine separate
in an expansion of the
cloaca. |
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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