Tierpark und Fossilium Bochum

Tierpark und Fossilium Bochum is the municipal zoo of the city of Bochum in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in the Stadtpark (city park) and covers approximately 1.9 hectares, displaying around 3,900 animals across more than 330 species. The institution combines a zoological garden with the Fossilium, a museum housing a significant fossil collection, and is operated by the City of Bochum. Its origins trace back to the founding of the Verein Bochumer Tierparkfreunde e. V. on 3 March 1933, with the zoo opening on 12 July 1933. Initially free to the public, it began with enclosures for deer, sheep and birds of prey. After being destroyed in World War II, it was rebuilt and expanded to its current size. Under director Eduard Stirnberg (1973–2012), the zoo developed into a scientifically managed institution showing a cross-section of global wildlife. Key additions include the aquarium and terrarium house with a 170,000-litre coral reef tank (1988), the Fossilium (1996) following the acquisition of Helmut Leich's fossil collection, and the Nordseewelten (North Sea Worlds) complex (2006) with a 565,000-litre pool for harbour seals and Humboldt penguins. Since 2012, Ralf Slabik has led the zoo. The zoo is a member of EAZA, VdZ, DTG and other conservation and educational bodies, and participates in European Endangered Species Programmes (EEP). It offers educational programmes, a petting zoo, and events such as the Dinofest and Halloween spectacle.

The origins of Tierpark und Fossilium Bochum date to the founding of the Verein Bochumer Tierparkfreunde e. V. on 3 March 1933. In the same year, the first animal enclosures for deer, sheep and birds of prey were created in the Stadtpark near the Bismarckturm, and the zoo opened on 12 July 1933. Initially, admission was free for the people of Bochum. Monkey, bird and exotic animal houses followed. In 1937, the zoo moved to its permanent site on the grounds of the former municipal park nursery, and the area was fenced. In 1939, the Bärenschlucht (bear gorge) and the first aquarium were built. Of the 300 animal species exhibited at that time, 100 were fish, and the aquarium was considered a model facility. Schools used the zoo to supplement biology and drawing lessons, and the zoo ringed birds on behalf of the Helgoland bird observatory. During World War II, the zoo was severely damaged during the Battle of the Ruhr in May and June 1943. Only a few buildings survived, and operations had to be stopped. The last remaining animals were transferred to Wuppertal Zoo and the Essen bird observatory on 24 June 1943. The restart began with the animal trainer Lotte Walther, who took winter quarters on the zoo grounds and donated half of the proceeds from an animal show to the zoo's reconstruction. The Bochumer Tierparkfreunde association was re-established. The new zoo, which doubled in area, focused on native animals. Particular breeding successes were achieved with waders, guillemots and gannets. From 1949, after reconstruction and expansion, the zoo reached its current size of about two hectares, and Mr. Keuth was appointed its first operations manager. In the early 1950s, the monkey and aquarium houses were rebuilt. From 1973 to 2012, Eduard Stirnberg directed the development of Bochum Zoo. Under his leadership, it became a relatively small zoo managed according to scientific principles, showing a cross-section of the entire animal world. In 1983, the zoo celebrated its 50th anniversary with a three-day exhibition "Das Tier und Wir" (The Animal and Us), and the operations and utility building was renewed. In 1984, the large cat enclosure was built. In 1988, the Else-Baltz-Zooschule (zoo school) was established, and a new aquarium was built with support from Sparkasse Bochum. In 1993, the first captive breeding of the monk vulture at Bochum Zoo occurred. In 1995, the first Seychelles giant tortoises arrived. In 1996, the aquarium house was expanded and the Fossilium was completed, incorporating the fossil collection of Bochum resident Helmut Leich, which includes over 400 fossils from the Solnhofen Jurassic. On 3 June 2006, the Nordseewelten (North Sea Worlds) opened. This complex includes two North Sea theme aquaria and a 565,000-litre pool for harbour seals and Humboldt penguins, allowing both species to be observed through large underwater windows in clear seawater. An attached walk-in aviary for ruffs, redshanks, avocets, spoonbills and lapwings continues the zoo's earlier breeding successes. The brown bear Max, born in the zoo in January 1976, was hand-reared by Stirnberg after being rejected by his mother. Max later lived in Allwetterzoo Münster and returned to Bochum, where he had eight cubs with his partner Teddy. After Teddy was transferred to Stendal Zoo, Max was joined by the Kodiak bear Nadja. Max had to be euthanised on 10 December 2003 due to a spinal condition. With Max's death, the zoo began to gradually phase out the keeping of large animals. Nadja was transferred to Wildpark Willingen in 2007. Max was taxidermied by preparators at the Walter-Gropius-Berufskolleg in Bochum and was displayed in the zoo from 2023, and as a loan to the Stadtarchiv – Bochumer Zentrum für Stadtgeschichte from 2025. In spring 2012, further renovations created new enclosures for coatis, ring-tailed lemurs, common marmosets, flamingos, meerkats and squirrel monkeys. A new glass entrance hall adjoining the aquarium house welcomed visitors. The Bienenwelten (Bee Worlds) serve many school classes as a teaching space and for the further training of beekeepers from the Ruhr region; an interactive exhibition and a real bee colony bring visitors closer to the special characteristics of this important insect. The zoo also features birds of prey, Seychelles giant tortoises and a petting zoo with sheep, goats and alpacas. Since 1 August 2012, former deputy zoo director Ralf Slabik has led the zoo. Since 2013, the zoo with its Fossilium has been a member of the Vereinigung Westfälischer Museen e. V. (VMV). In 2016, the zoo opened the first show feed kitchen in North Rhine-Westphalia and the second in Germany; through a large panoramic window, visitors can watch animal keepers prepare food and ask questions about the animals' eating habits via an intercom. Interactive signage with numerous hands-on stations further engages visitors. The zoo is a member of EAZA, VdZ, DTG, the working group of NRW partner zoos, VZP, the professional association of zoo keepers, the German Society for Herpetology and Terrarium Science (dght), Sphenisco – Protection of the Humboldt Penguin e. V., the Bochum animal welfare foundation, the Bochum, Hattingen and surroundings animal welfare association, the Vereinigung Westfälischer Museen e. V. (VWM) and a partner of the Stiftung Artenschutz. It participates in various European Endangered Species Programmes (EEP) and works closely with conservation and educational institutions, including NABU, Ruhr University Bochum and the Tauchsportverband NRW e. V. (TSV NRW).

• 2025

  Max's taxidermy loaned to Stadtarchiv – Bochumer Zentrum für Stadtgeschichte.

• 2023

  Taxidermied brown bear Max displayed as exhibit in the zoo.

• 2016

  Zoo opens first show feed kitchen in North Rhine-Westphalia and second in Germany.

• 2013

  Zoo with Fossilium becomes member of Vereinigung Westfälischer Museen e. V. (VMV).

• 2012

  Spring renovations create new enclosures for coatis, lemurs, marmosets, flamingos, meerkats and squirrel monkeys; new glass entrance hall. Ralf Slabik becomes director on 1 August.

• 2007

  Nadja the Kodiak bear transferred to Wildpark Willingen.

• 2006

  Nordseewelten (North Sea Worlds) opens on 3 June with 565,000-litre pool for harbour seals and Humboldt penguins.

• 2003

  Brown bear Max euthanised on 10 December due to spinal condition; zoo begins phasing out large animal keeping.

• 1996

  Aquarium house expanded; Fossilium completed incorporating Helmut Leich's fossil collection.

• 1995

  First Seychelles giant tortoises arrive at Bochum Zoo.

• 1993

  First captive breeding of monk vulture at Bochum Zoo.

• 1988

  Else-Baltz-Zooschule established; new aquarium built with support from Sparkasse Bochum.

• 1984

  Construction of large cat enclosure.

• 1983

  Zoo celebrates 50th anniversary with three-day exhibition 'Das Tier und Wir'; operations and utility building renewed.

• 1973

  Eduard Stirnberg becomes director of Bochum Zoo.

• 1950

  Reconstruction of monkey and aquarium houses.

• 1949

  After reconstruction and expansion, zoo reaches current size of about two hectares; Mr. Keuth appointed first operations manager.

• 1943

  Zoo totally destroyed by bombs during Battle of the Ruhr; surviving animals transferred to other zoos, e.g. Wuppertal.

• 1939

  Construction of Bärenschlucht (bear gorge) and first aquarium.

• 1937

  Zoo moves to permanent site at former municipal park nursery; first buildings (monkey, bird, exotic animal houses) built and area fenced.

• 1933

  Founding of Verein Bochumer Tierparkfreunde e. V. on 3 March; first enclosures for deer, sheep and birds of prey; zoo opens on 12 July.

A small, scientifically managed municipal zoo and fossil museum focused on education, species conservation and family recreation in the Ruhr region.

• Zoo and Fossilium admission

  Tickets for the zoo and museum, with opening hours and prices listed on the official website.

• Annual pass

  Seasonal pass for regular visitors.

• Animal sponsorship (Paten)

  Support programme allowing individuals to sponsor an animal.

• Educational programmes

  School and group programmes, including the Else-Baltz-Zooschule and Bienenwelten.

• Events

  Regular events such as Dinofest, Halloween spectacle, Christmas magic and discovery weekends.

1. 1Startseite - Tierpark + Fossilium Bochumtierpark-bochum.de
2. 2Immer in Entwicklung - Tierpark + Fossilium Bochumtierpark-bochum.de
3. 3Über uns - Tierpark + Fossilium Bochumtierpark-bochum.de
4. 4Ehrenamt - Tierpark + Fossilium Bochumtierpark-bochum.de
5. 5Tierpark und Fossilium Bochum - Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6Tierpark und Fossilium Bochum - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org