Cottbus Zoo
Adresse
Kiekebuscher Straße 5, 03042 Cottbus, Germany
Pays
germany
Site web
https://www.tierparkcottbus.deHoraires d'ouverture
Daily 9:00-19:00 (April-September), 9:00-17:30 (March), 9:00-18:00 (October), 9:00-17:00 (November-February). Last admission 1 hour before closing
Popularité
High (300,000+ visitors annually - Brandenburg's largest zoo)
Brandenburg's Premier Wildlife Sanctuary
Spree River Setting Founded in 1954, Cottbus Zoo stands as Brandenburg's largest zoological garden, spanning 25 hectares along the scenic Spree River. Nestled between the historic Branitz Park (Pückler Park) and Spreeauenpark, this idyllic zoo offers visitors an immersive natural experience with over 1,300 animals from more than 170 species.
Continental Diversity The zoo showcases wildlife from all six continents, featuring impressive collections of elephants, leopards, Sumatran tigers, tapirs, and an exceptional variety of waterfowl and wading birds. The facility has gained international recognition for its successful breeding programs, particularly with aquatic birds, with the red-breasted goose serving as the zoo's symbolic species.
Educational Excellence The renowned Zoo School transforms the entire facility into an outdoor classroom, offering hands-on biology lessons where children can discover, observe, listen, smell, and touch animals in naturalistic settings. Regular feeding demonstrations with expert commentary provide visitors with deep insights into animal behavior and conservation.
Natural Landscape Integration The zoo's mature tree canopy and river-adjacent location create diverse microhabitats while maintaining the area's natural character, providing both animals and visitors with an authentic connection to Brandenburg's landscape heritage.
Attractions à Cottbus Zoo
International Waterfowl Breeding Center
World-Class Aquatic Bird Sanctuary
International Breeding Excellence Cottbus Zoo has achieved international recognition for its exceptional waterfowl breeding programs, successfully maintaining over 70 species of aquatic birds with the red-breasted goose serving as the facility's symbolic species.
Breeding Success:
- 70+ waterfowl species - Comprehensive collection from global wetland habitats
- Red-breasted goose program - Flagship species conservation efforts
- Natural river habitat - Spree River integration providing authentic environments
- International cooperation - Contributing to global waterfowl conservation
- Educational wetland tours - Specialized programming about aquatic ecosystems
Global Impact: Contributes to international waterfowl conservation through successful breeding programs while educating visitors about wetland habitat protection and migratory bird conservation.
Zoo School Outdoor Classroom
Nature's Living Classroom
Immersive Learning Experience The Zoo School transforms the entire 25-hectare facility into an outdoor biology classroom, offering hands-on educational experiences that engage all five senses in authentic wildlife encounters.
Educational Innovation:
- Multi-sensory learning - Discover, observe, hear, smell, and touch experiences
- Species-specific programs - Tailored lessons for different animal groups
- Conservation education - Real-world environmental challenges and solutions
- Interactive demonstrations - Live animal encounters with expert interpretation
- Curriculum integration - Programs aligned with school biology standards
Educational Impact: Provides thousands of students annually with direct wildlife experiences that foster conservation awareness and scientific understanding through authentic animal encounters.
Asian Elephant Complex
Gentle Giants Conservation Center
Historic Elephant Care Since 1969 when the first elephant Sundali arrived, Cottbus Zoo has maintained a strong tradition of Asian elephant care, providing spacious facilities that prioritize animal welfare and visitor education.
Facility Features:
- Large outdoor areas - Extensive space for natural elephant behaviors
- Indoor facilities - Climate-controlled areas for year-round comfort
- Evening activity sessions - Special programming showcasing elephant intelligence
- Educational presentations - Daily talks about elephant conservation
- Research participation - Contributing to European elephant breeding programs
Conservation Connection: Supports Asian elephant conservation efforts while demonstrating the complex social behaviors and intelligence that make elephant protection critically important.