Today, we (hubby and Melissa) went to the Berlin Zoo. It houses the largest number of species in the world, and is also Europe’s most visited zoo, with about 3 million annual visitors.
The zoo was very different from what we thought it would be. At the Auckland Zoo, the animals are kept in large enclosures that reflect their natural environment. We haven’t been to many other zoos in a long time, so we expected this one to be similar.
Berlin Zoo has smaller enclosures for most of the animals. The lions had a large outdoor enclosure, so we were surprised when we went into a building, and we saw two pacing back and forth in a small, dark concrete room, surrounded by a crowd of people taking flash pictures. The lions didn’t look too happy about it. The primate house was also different from what we expected, with more concrete rooms. At least the monkeys had windows, as well as trees and ropes to play with, unlike the poor lions. Most of the animals seemed pretty happy, but I think Auckland Zoo is a lot more humane, and the animals there seem a lot more content. Here are some pictures of the zoo:
This entry was written by Melissa, as she and hubby went to the Berlin Zoo while Sarah and I stayed back at the hostel with the flu. All photos ©Melissa Albom 2012. All Rights Reserved.
Other attractions not to be missed in Berlin include the many classic museums on museum island and the Berlin wall
Janis
Looks like Auckland Zoo 25 years ago
Rhonda
Glad I wasn’t here then, although it does remind me of Lincoln Park Zoo from when I was a child.
Tony Payne
That is so sad. The Miami Zoo has huge enclosures for all the animals, none are in small concrete buildings. It’s very cruel, but like so many older zoos used to be unfortunately.
Rhonda
Glad to hear Miami has cool Zoo. They also have a monkey zoo where the path you walk down is like a cage and the monkeys have all the freedom.
stevebethere
It doesn’t look good seeing those lions like that pacing up and down, It’s sad.
Glad to see the rest of the animals seemed happy 🙂
Hope your mum and sister get rid of their flu soon
Lynne
I felt the same way about Beijing Zoo, Melissa – really sad for the same reason
Rhonda
We didn’t go to the Beijing zoo. We were warned.
stefanie
Great writing Melissa – I thought it was your Mum until I read at the bottom that this was your post. Great mature writing style – love it! Don’t catch your mum and sister’s flu!
Rhonda
Thanks Auntie Stefanie 🙂
Joyce
The lion cage reminds me of the type of zoos we had when I was a kid.
Rhonda
Me too, but Melissa had never seen anything like it before.