
Nutria 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 coypu, or nutria (Myocastor coypus)
is a large,
herbivorous, semiaquatic
rodent
and the only member of the family Myocastoridae. Originally
native to temperate
South America, it has since been introduced to
North America,
Europe,
Asia, and
Africa,
primarily by fur ranchers. Although it is still valued for its fur in
some regions, its destructive feeding and burrowing behaviors make this
invasive species a
pest throughout most of its range. There are
two commonly-used names in the
English language for Myocastor coypus. The name nutria
(or local derivatives such as "nutria- or nutra- rat") is
generally used in North America and Asia; however, in
Spanish-speaking countries, the word nutria refers to the
otter. To
avoid this ambiguity, the name coypu (derived from the
Mapudungun word kóypu) is used in Latin America and Europe.
In France, the coypu is known as a ragondin. In Dutch it is known
as beverrat (beaver rat). In Italy, instead, the popular name is,
like in North America and Asia, nutria, but it is also called
castorino (little
beaver),
by which its fur is known. |
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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