The Cologne Zoo is not very large. But the main feature that catches the eye of tourists is that there are no cells. The arrangement of enclosures involves natural obstacles: reservoirs, shrubs, stones or reliefs. Large predators are behind tall glass. The active and friendly inhabitants are always glad to see guests.
Zoo information
The Zoological Park in Cologne is famous for the Rainforest Pavilion, which was opened relatively recently. A special climate has been created here for plants, birds and reptiles that live in the tropics. The inhabitants of this pavilion walk along the paths without any fencing.
The zoo was opened to the general public in 1860.
The Cologne Zoological Garden is considered the third oldest and fifth most popular zoological garden in Germany. It is visited by 1.7 million people a year.
The history of the zoo began with an elephant, which may become a museum in the near future. Today, there are two elephants in the zoological garden, and a herd of Indian elephants has been living in the second for 10 years.
The zoo has an aquarium, terrarium and insectarium. However, here you can not only have a good time surrounded by wild nature, but also have a delicious meal in a diner, cafe, bar or restaurant, as well as buy souvenirs in numerous shops.
Inhabitants of the park
More than 10,576 animals of 842 species are represented on a relatively small territory. During the walk, you can enjoy the chirping of birds, hear the cries of monkeys and the neigh of ungulates.
The most friendly are meerkats. Small inhabitants of the zoo run around their spacious aviary, occasionally approaching a low fence to greet visitors. The meerkats do not stay for a long time, because these animals have a lot to do: you need to dig holes, eat and just stand on the hills, looking around, and in the winter time bask under the lamp. Interestingly, in winter, animals lower their body temperature by 1 degree in order to consume less energy.
- "Hippodom" is a pavilion where hippos live. Three hippos have at their disposal a huge reservoir, where they swim with pleasure. One of the walls of the reservoir is transparent, like in an aquarium. Animals often swim up to the glass partition to show off in front of visitors. Nile crocodiles are also kept in the "Hippodom". They live in their own pool, but they prefer to relax on the sand. Sometimes it seems that the crocodile is constantly sleeping. However, as soon as a person comes close to the glass fence, the predator opens its eyes, remaining constantly alert.
- The House of South America, where two species of monkeys live (red howler monkeys and marmosets), and the Jungle House, where great apes live, are popular.
- Monkey Mountain is surrounded by a moat with water along the perimeter. Children and adults are always delighted to watch the games of hamadryas and other inhabitants of the Mountain.
- Pinniped rock is inhabited by white rhinos, snow leopards and jaguars, seals and sea lions, as well as other interesting animals.
- The Owl Monastery is another fascinating place that is definitely worth a visit.
Feeding is perhaps the most interesting entertainment. If you want to watch this process, then do not forget to take a schedule at the entrance so that at the right time you can come to the right aviary.
The most interesting thing is feeding the hippos. The audience is especially delighted with the moment when the hippopotamus opens its huge mouth to get, for example, an apple or cabbage.
Adult wildlife lovers can not only watch the animals, but also become the guardian of one of them. Guardianship can be taken by a private person or company. To do this, annually it is necessary to transfer a certain amount to provide the animal.
Such a sponsor is sent a detailed report on his ward. With a donation of 300 euros or more, a person receives an annual subscription to the zoo and aquarium.
Opening hours and cost of the entrance ticket
The official website of the zoo contains a lot of interesting information about its inhabitants. In addition, on the Internet resource you can see the plan of events that are held in the zoo and purchase tickets.
Cologne Zoological Park is open all year round. But the opening hours depend on the season:
- During the summer season (from March 1 to October 30), the zoo receives visitors from 9 am to 6 pm. The ticket office is open until 17.30. Animal houses are open until 17.45.
- During the winter season (from November 1 to February 28), the zoological park also opens at 9 am and closes at 5 pm. Tickets are sold at the box office until 16.30.
The entrance ticket price depends on the day of the week and on the time of visit:
- A regular adult ticket costs 17.5 euros, a child ticket - 8.5 euros, a student ticket - 12 euros.
- On Monday, if it does not fall on a public holiday, discounts are available for adults and children, and you have to pay 14.5 and 6.5 euros to enter.
- Special prices apply during the evening hours from Tuesday to Friday. From 4 pm in the summer season and from 3 pm in the winter, an adult ticket costs 14.5 euros, and a child ticket costs 6.5 euros. On holidays, the tariff is normal.
The entrance fee also includes admission to the aquarium, insectarium and terrarium.
Children between the ages of 4 and 12 are eligible for a child ticket. Children under 4 years old are admitted free. Holders of the Cologne Pass card can purchase admission tickets at a discount. Amateur photos on the territory of the zoo can be taken in any quantity.
How to get there
The zoo is located at Riehler Str., 173, 50735 Köln. You can quickly get to it by public transport.
From the main train station to the zoo, there are underground trains on line 18, and from Ebertplatz there are bus lines 140.
During the summer season, an express bus leaves from the west wing of Cologne Cathedral every half hour to the zoological park.
What else can you see in Cologne
The Zoological Garden is an interesting, but not the only attraction in Cologne.
- If you happen to be in this city, then you should definitely visit, for example, the Chocolate Museum. It opened in 1993 near the famous chocolate factory. Here you will not only learn how to make chocolate, but also get special pleasure from the museum building itself, which resembles a ship and stands on the island.
- The Fantasy Land amusement park is another highlight of the city. It has been in operation for over 30 years.
- The Galaxy Space Show takes you on a journey through the Milky Way with dynamic flight simulations and spectacular effects.
- Noteworthy is the Church of St. Martin, built on the site of the Roman baths.
- The fair sex will not pass by the perfume museum, whose exposition is dedicated to the history of perfumery and cologne Eau de Cologne.
- There is also an ethnological museum.
- Many guests of the city are interested in the Church of the Holy Apostles.
- The visiting card of the city is the Cologne Cathedral. An unforgettable panorama opens up from its 157-meter tower.
Summarize
The Cologne Zoo is an opportunity to see animals in their natural environment. There are no usual gratings here; instead, a natural fence or glass is used. All inhabitants of the zoo live in spacious enclosures, so they behave freely and at ease. Here you can watch the world's smallest monkey monkey and a huge Indian elephant.
Each visitor to the zoo has the opportunity to see more than 800 species of animals that inhabit our planet. Favorable conditions have been created for each of them.
On the official website of the zoo, you can find a lot of interesting and relevant information, a plan of events for 2021, as well as purchase an entrance ticket.
