Cottbus Zoo
Address
Kiekebuscher Straße 5, 03042 Cottbus, Germany
Country
germany
Opening Hours
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
Popularity
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 in Cottbus Zoo
Sumatran Tiger Territory
Spacious Predator Sanctuary
Open-Air Excellence The particularly impressive open-air tiger enclosure represents one of Cottbus Zoo's most celebrated attractions, providing Sumatran tigers with expansive territories that encourage natural behaviors while offering visitors exceptional viewing opportunities.
Conservation Focus:
- Large naturalistic habitat - Extensive territory supporting natural tiger behaviors
- Multiple viewing areas - Various vantage points for safe observation
- Feeding demonstrations - Evening sessions showcasing hunting behaviors
- Educational programming - Sumatran tiger conservation awareness
- Research opportunities - Behavioral studies contributing to conservation
Conservation Impact: Supports field conservation efforts for critically endangered Sumatran tigers while educating visitors about habitat loss and conservation challenges in Indonesian rainforests.