Zoo Rostock

Description

On the edge of the Barnstorfer Wald, the Zoologische Garten Rostock has shaped the cultural and nature-education offerings of the Hanseatic city of Rostock since 1899. Across approximately 56 hectares, the zoo is home to about 6,500 animals representing around 500 species, giving it a leading position among zoological institutions on Germany’s Baltic coast. Visitors appreciate the interplay of zoological and botanical design; the zoo has been repeatedly recognised as a family-friendly institution and is regularly rated highly in European rankings.

The grounds evolved from a park with mature trees that had been redesigned after military conflicts in the 19th century. At the end of the 19th century a game enclosure was created at the Trotzenburg, which opened in 1899 as the Hirschgarten and was systematically expanded to include various animal species in its early years. By the beginning of the 20th century electric trams were already running to the stop at the entrance; in the 1930s a large dahlia exhibition took place.

Destruction in World War II led to the near-total devastation of the facilities. Reconstruction in the 1950s proceeded with considerable local support; the zoo reopened in 1952 and was expanded and institutionally consolidated in the following years. In the 1960s elephants were kept and a more extensive horse-breeding operation was added; in 1963 the zoo recorded the first confirmed birth of a polar bear cub. Since the 1970s there have been plans for a significant expansion of the site; in 1989 a large walk-in seabird aviary was established.

From the 1990s a comprehensive modernisation process began: numerous enclosures were converted into more species-appropriate designs, new themed houses and bridges were created, and the Südamerikahaus and large cat enclosures were opened. The zoo is a member of international zoo associations and has since repeatedly occupied a leading position in European rankings. Major projects of the 21st century are the Darwineum (opened 2012) and the Polarium (opened 2018), both extensive exhibition and housing complexes with modern visitor centres.

The Darwineum presents evolutionary relationships across 20,000 m², houses over 80 species including great apes in a 4,000 m² tropical hall, and combines exhibits, aquaria and interactive areas. The Polarium focuses on polar regions, offering spacious enclosures for polar bears and penguins as well as an information centre and aquaria with jellyfish.

Recent investments included the construction of a new seal facility, which was put into operation in 2025. Overall, the Zoologische Garten Rostock sees itself as a centre for species care, education and species conservation.