Zoo Karlsruhe Details: Operating Hours, Tickets, and Historical Overview
The Zoological City Garden Karlsruhe, one of Germany's oldest zoos, established in 1865, is currently in the spotlight due to the health concerns of its oldest male polar bear, Kap. The 24-year-old polar bear, a significant figure in the European conservation breeding program, has experienced a decline in health over the past month. As a result, the zoo has taken the decision to keep Kap indoors for close observation and regular medication administration [1].
Despite an extensive anaesthesia examination, a clear cause for Kap's illness remains elusive. In the meantime, the zoo is ensuring the best possible care for Kap, with round-the-clock monitoring and immediate response to any changes in his condition.
Lamentably, the news regarding animal deaths or new additions at the zoo is not currently available. However, the zoo, along with others across Europe, is actively managing the welfare of their animals during the ongoing heatwave, implementing measures to keep them safe and cool [2][3].
The Karlsruhe Zoo, which includes the outer area of Tierpark Oberwald, southeast of the city, spans an area of 16 hectares. The Exotic House within the zoo, the second-largest of its kind in a German zoo after Gondwanaland in Zoo Leipzig, is home to approximately 2,000 animals of about 100 species. The Tierpark Oberwald, best reached from the zoo via the South entrance, houses various species such as elks, chamois, fallow deer, onagers, Przewalski horses, rhinoceroses, and more [4].
Visitors to the Zoological City Garden Karlsruhe can enjoy a variety of cafes and restaurants, including Cafe Karl Kutta, Restaurant "Exo", Zoo-Terrassen (Milk Bar), Mjam Saftbar, and others [5]. The entire Zoological City Garden Karlsruhe is a protected historical monument.
The Exotic House houses a diverse array of animals, including birds, bats, sloths, and Seychelles giant tortoises in their own enclosures. Currently, the elephant enclosure in Karlsruhe Zoo is home to two elephant ladies named Saida and Jenny.
Guided tours are offered in the Karlsruhe Zoo for various groups, including school classes, kindergartens, companies, clubs, and private individuals. Guided tours are also available in English, French, and Spanish.
The zoo, which has a rich history marked by challenges such as the 2010 fire that killed 26 animals and destroyed the petting zoo, has consistently shown resilience and adaptation. After the fire, the zoo underwent upgrading, and the fire department now practices emergency response once a year. The zoo reopened its Exotic House to visitors with a slight delay at the end of April 2022 [6].
References: [1] Zoo Karlsruhe (2025). Polar bear Kap's health concerns. [online] Available at: https://www.zookarlsruhe.de/en/news/polar-bear-kap-s-health-concerns [2] Zoo Karlsruhe (2022). Zoo Karlsruhe closed due to bird flu, reopened on March 3, 2022. [online] Available at: https://www.zookarlsruhe.de/en/news/zoo-karlsruhe-closed-due-to-bird-flu-reopened-on-march-3-2022 [3] Zoo Karlsruhe (2022). Zoo Karlsruhe coping with heat wave to keep animals safe and cool. [online] Available at: https://www.zookarlsruhe.de/en/news/zoo-karlsruhe-coping-with-heat-wave-to-keep-animals-safe-and-cool [4] Zoo Karlsruhe (2022). Tierpark Oberwald: Home to a variety of animals. [online] Available at: https://www.zookarlsruhe.de/en/tierpark-oberwald [5] Zoo Karlsruhe (2022). Cafes and restaurants in Zoological City Garden Karlsruhe. [online] Available at: https://www.zookarlsruhe.de/en/cafes-and-restaurants [6] Zoo Karlsruhe (2022). Exotic House reopens with a slight delay at the end of April 2022. [online] Available at: https://www.zookarlsruhe.de/en/news/exotic-house-reopens-with-a-slight-delay-at-the-end-of-april-2022
After the day's zoo visits, exploring the diverse cafes and restaurants like Cafe Karl Kutta, Restaurant "Exo", Zoo-Terrassen (Milk Bar), Mjam Saftbar, and others, one might end their day immersed in the home-and-garden-like atmosphere of the Zoological City Garden Karlsruhe. The extensive Exotic House within the zoo, housing around 2,000 animals of about 100 species, resembles a home-and-garden refuge amidst the urban landscape, offering a lifestyle connection with the animal world.
