Frankfurt Zoo is home to animals from every continent in the world. From big cats to monkeys and reptiles: there are lots of exotic and fascinating creatures to see here. Overall, there are approx. 400 different species and more than 4,000 animals living in the open-air enclosures and animal houses.
Frankfurt Zoo is located in the middle of the city. Founded in 1858 as an experiment, it is one of the oldest zoos in the world. The zoo achieved international fame due to the work of its well-known director Professor Bernhard Grzimek who managed the zoo from 1945 until 1974. After the zoo’s destruction in WWII, the zoologist, conservationist and wildlife documentary filmmaker rebuilt it and developed a modern form of animal husbandry that became exemplary. In his legendary television programme “Ein Platz für Tiere” [Room for Animals] broadcast in the 60s and 70s, Professor Grzimek presented animals from Frankfurt Zoo, which became known to a wide public as a result. Today, the largest nocturnal house in Europe - and one of the main attractions of the zoo - is named after him.
The successful breeding of all four species of ape – for the very first time achieved in a zoo –, amongst others, won the zoo international recognition. In 2008, the Borgori Forest opened: a new enclosure for gorillas, orang-utans, chimpanzees and bonobos closely modelled on their natural habitat.
In addition to further attractions such as the fenceless big cat jungle, the Exotarium [Reptile House], animal houses and aviaries, there is a children’s zoo with a petting area, guided tours for children and adults, special exhibitions and other events and activities.
As municipal amenity, Frankfurt Zoo falls within the scope of the Department of Science and the Arts’ responsibilities.