Rebuilding from Ruins: The Resurgence of the People's Zoo in Tierpark
Tierpark Berlin, Europe's largest urban zoo, opened its gates on July 2, 1955, starting with around 400 animals and growing over nearly 70 years to become the largest zoo in Europe[2].
The zoo's history is closely tied to the aftermath of World War II. Unlike the older Berlin Zoological Garden (Zoologischer Garten), which was heavily damaged during the war and located in West Berlin, Tierpark was established in the eastern part of Berlin in the former grounds of the Friedrichsfelde Palace and park. Its creation represented an effort by East Germany (GDR) to build a major cultural and scientific institution in East Berlin. The site had been in ruins after the war, and the new zoo had to rise literally from the devastation left by the conflict and the division of the city.
Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, Berlin's most famous trans woman, restored and saved Friedrichsfelde Palace, which was later integrated into Tierpark. The founders rehabilitated the war-damaged area and began cultivating an extensive animal collection, symbolizing renewal and progress in East Berlin. Over the decades, Tierpark expanded significantly with a focus on large enclosures and diverse species, overcoming the challenges of developing an urban zoo out of post-war ruins[2][3].
Many enclosures in Tierpark were made of wood or concrete due to East Germany's chronic shortages of metal. The polar bear enclosure, for instance, was assembled from the ruins of the Reichsbank. The artificial canyon for spectacled bears was sponsored by the Stasi, while the sabre-tooth tiger opposite the red panda enclosure was cast after the giant statue of Stalin on Stalinallee was removed and melted down in 1961.
The zoo's growth was not without controversy. The Western press made fun of Tierpark, but the Frankfurt zoo director admitted it was on track to become the world's biggest and most modern. The idea for a Volkstierpark (people's zoo) for East Berlin's eastern districts dates back to the 1920s. Tierpark, located in Friedrichsfelde, is Europe's largest urban zoo.
Tierpark's diplomatic relations extended beyond Berlin's borders. Ho Chi Minh offered a baby elephant as a gift to Tierpark, which arrived the following year. In 1957, Ho Chi Minh visited Tierpark and sat on a bench chatting with Wilhelm Pieck and Heinrich Dathe, the director of Tierpark, in French.
Tierpark Berlin rose from the ruins after World War II as a symbol of regeneration in East Berlin, founded in 1955 on a war-damaged site, and has since grown to become Europe's largest urban zoo[2][3]. The innovative design, such as putting the white-handed gibbons on an artificial island instead of in a cage, is still in use today. As Tierpark celebrates its 70th birthday, it continues to be a testament to the resilience and determination of its founders and a beloved attraction for visitors from around the world.
Now, the representative building at the entrance of Tierpark hosts concerts, a fitting tribute to the zoo's role as a symbol of cultural and scientific progress in East Berlin. Heinrich Dathe, the director of Tierpark, defined its details until his death in 1991, ensuring that Tierpark remains a unique and cherished part of Berlin's history and identity.
The founders of Tierpark Berlin, excited about rebuilding after the war, not only rehabilitated the war-damaged area but also cultivated an extensive home-and-garden-inspired landscape, creating a picturesque setting that symbolized renewal and progress in East Berlin. Over the decades, this home-and-garden haven became part of Tierpark's identity, attracting visitors who sought a unique lifestyle experience alongside wildlife encounters, all within the vibrant setting of Europe's largest urban zoo.
