Zoo Osnabrück
A zoological garden and nature-adventure park on Schölerberg in Osnabrück, Germany.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Zoo Osnabrück is a zoological garden situated on the Schölerberg hillside in the southern part of Osnabrück, Lower Saxony. The institution began as a community-supported home zoo, or Heimattiergarten, whose creation was promoted by local zoo friends and financed in part through donations. It opened to the public on July 26, 1936, after the founding organization had begun assembling the site and its first animals in 1935. The initial collection was modest, including a badger, a fox and a bear, followed by aviaries, an owl tower, deer facilities and an aquarium. The zoo was heavily damaged during the final phase of the Second World War and emerged from the conflict with few animals and substantial debt. It nevertheless rebuilt its collection and facilities. The institution adopted the name Tiergarten in 1947 and later became Zoo Osnabrück in 1970. The postwar decades brought a gradual expansion from a local animal collection into a full zoological institution, including monkey, penguin, elephant, antelope, sea-lion and South American facilities. Elephants arrived in 1961, while the South American area opened in 1975 with support from the Wilhelm Karmann Foundation. A major setback occurred in January 1978, when a fire in the warm house, reportedly caused by electrical cables damaged by animals, killed numerous animals and caused property damage estimated at approximately two million Deutsche Marks. From the 1980s onward, development increasingly emphasized animal welfare, educational interpretation and immersive themed landscapes. A new entrance and administration complex opened in 1986 alongside the Natural History Museum am Schölerberg. Tropical, aquarium, penguin and great-ape facilities followed in the late 1980s, and a new elephant park was completed in 1998. The zoo subsequently developed named landscape areas that connect animal exhibits with geographic, ecological and cultural themes. Samburu, inspired by northern Kenya, opened in 2004. The Valley of the Grey Giants brought elephants and rhinoceroses into a combined landscape in 2007. The approximately 500-square-metre Underground Zoo opened in 2009, allowing visitors to view burrowing and subterranean species from tunnel-like spaces. A major expansion south of the existing grounds produced Takamanda, a 5.5-hectare African landscape, in 2010. Kajanaland, a taiga-themed northern landscape with a raised visitor route, followed in 2011. Asian areas modeled on Angkor Wat were subsequently developed for macaques, tigers, red pandas, gibbons and orangutans. The Klimatopia climate exhibition opened in 2013, using interpretation and animal ambassadors to connect zoological education with climate issues. A North American landscape named Manitoba opened in 2018 after phased construction and the arrival of species such as wood bison, Hudson Bay wolves and black bears. The zoo is known for its geographically organized habitats, conservation messaging, family-oriented visitor facilities and unusual animal presentations. Its hybrid polar-brown bears, commonly described as grolar bears, attracted scientific interest and public attention. The institution also supports conservation work, including a tapir-protection project associated with the artistic activities of the orangutan Buschi. In addition to animal exhibits, the site includes restaurants, playgrounds, a tree-house village, a petting area, aquarium and terrarium facilities, and educational exhibitions. Zoo Osnabrück has experienced operational and financial pressures typical of large zoological institutions, including closures during the 2001 foot-and-mouth disease threat and losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional public funding from the State of Lower Saxony helped secure construction of the Water Worlds area after pandemic-related losses. The zoo remains an active regional attraction with a collection of roughly 3,000 animals representing about 300 species on approximately 23.5 hectares, although collection size and facilities can change over time.
History
Zoo Osnabrück originated in a local initiative to create a Heimattiergarten, or home zoo, on the Schölerberg. The Community of Friends of the Home Zoo organized support and donations, and the institution was founded in July 1935. It opened on July 26, 1936, with a small collection that included a badger, fox and bear. Aviaries, an owl tower, deer facilities and an aquarium were added during the early years, and bears were present by 1938. The Second World War severely affected the zoo. By April 1945, its facilities had suffered damage, its animal population had been greatly reduced and it had accumulated debt. Reconstruction began after the war, and the institution was renamed Tiergarten in 1947. Monkeys were among the first significant additions during the rebuilding period. A warm house, penguin enclosure and first elephant house were constructed in 1959 and 1960. The elephant cow Toni arrived on April 17, 1961, followed a week later by Targa. The antelope enclosure opened in 1968, and the institution adopted the name Zoo Osnabrück in 1970. The 1970s brought further diversification. A sea-lion enclosure opened in 1973, and a South American area was completed in 1975 with financial support from the Wilhelm Karmann Foundation. A serious fire destroyed the multi-purpose warm house during the night of January 3–4, 1978. The fire was attributed to electrical wiring damaged by animals; numerous animals died and the property damage was estimated at about two million Deutsche Marks. Beginning in the 1980s, the zoo pursued a long-term program of new construction and renovation centered on animal welfare, educational interpretation and themed natural landscapes. The entrance and administration building and the associated Natural History Museum am Schölerberg opened in 1986. A tropical hall, aquarium, redesigned penguin enclosure and expanded great-ape facilities followed in 1988 and 1989. A new elephant park was completed in 1998. The zoo temporarily closed in 2001 because of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the Netherlands. It reopened after the precautionary period. The next phase of development created a series of large geographic areas. Samburu opened in 2004 with giraffes, zebras, ostriches and other African species. In 2007, the elephant and rhinoceros facilities were combined into the Valley of the Grey Giants. The Underground Zoo opened in 2009, providing unusual views of animals that live below ground. Takamanda, a 5.5-hectare African area, opened in June 2010 after the zoo expanded south of its original grounds. Kajanaland, a taiga landscape with hybrid bears, lynx, wolverines and other northern species, opened in July 2011. The zoo marked its 75th anniversary that year with the United Buddy Bears exhibition, a peace and tolerance campaign that supported donations for the zoo and children's facilities. In 2012, a new enclosure for southern pig-tailed macaques opened within the developing Angkor Wat area. Klimatopia, an interactive climate exhibition, opened in 2013. A temple-inspired tiger enclosure followed in 2014. In 2017, the zoo experienced the escape and subsequent shooting of Tips, a hybrid bear, after she left the Kajanaland enclosure and moved toward the visitor entrance. The event prompted an enclosure and visitor-safety review. Later that year, a further section of the Angkor Wat complex was inaugurated, including redevelopment of the ape house and Buschi's enclosure. The related Wir für Buschi fundraising campaign helped finance the work. The bear's body was later made available to the State Museum of Natural History in Stuttgart for research into hybridization between polar and brown bears. The Manitoba North American landscape opened in October 2018 after phased development that began with the arrival of wood bison, Hudson Bay wolves and black bears. Subsequent planning focused on renewing additional large-animal facilities. Water Worlds, designed for sea lions, seals and penguins, entered construction in 2021. The project received additional support from Lower Saxony after the COVID-19 pandemic caused substantial losses for the zoo. Zoo Osnabrück's broader identity today is that of a regional nature-adventure park combining animal collections, themed habitats, conservation projects, education, restaurants and family recreation.
- 2021
Water Worlds construction begins
[1]Construction began on a marine-animal area for sea lions, seals and penguins, supported in part by Lower Saxony funding.
- 2018
Manitoba opens
[1]The North American landscape Manitoba opened on October 5 after phased construction.
- 2017
Tips bear escape
[1]Hybrid bear Tips escaped from Kajanaland and was killed after becoming aggressive toward staff; the zoo subsequently reviewed its security systems.
- 2014
New tiger enclosure opens
[1]A new tiger habitat, designed as part of the Asian temple landscape, opened in April.
- 2013
Klimatopia climate exhibition opens
[1]The zoo introduced an interactive exhibition connecting climate education with animal ambassadors and family learning.
- 2011
Kajanaland opens
[1]The taiga-themed Kajanaland area opened with hybrid bears and a raised visitor path.
- 2010
Takamanda opens
[1]The 5.5-hectare Takamanda area expanded the zoo southward and presented a broad selection of African species.
- 2009
Underground Zoo opens
[1]Visitors gained tunnel-level views of burrowing mammals and other subterranean species.
- 2004
Samburu opens
[1]The zoo opened the Samburu African landscape, named after Kenya's Samburu National Reserve.
- 1998
New elephant park completed
[1]The zoo completed a new elephant park as part of its long-term facility renewal program.
Products and positioning
A regional zoological and nature-adventure park combining geographically themed habitats, animal-welfare-oriented facility development, conservation education and family recreation.
African themed landscape · 2004
Samburu
A roughly two-hectare African habitat inspired by northern Kenya's Samburu National Reserve. It presents giraffes, ostriches, greater kudus, waterbucks, lions, impalas, flamingos, meerkats and other African animals in a landscape intended to combine viewing, interpretation and safari-style atmosphere. A safari camp provides food service and overlooks parts of the animal area.
African themed landscape · 2010
Takamanda
A 5.5-hectare African area modeled on the Takamanda region of Cameroon. Its collection includes chimpanzees, drills, red river hogs, African forest buffalo, bongos, zebras, servals, spotted hyenas, Diana monkeys and numerous birds. The landscape also includes the Makatanda tree-house village, a playground and a petting area, extending the exhibit into a family-oriented nature experience.
North American themed landscape · 2018
Manitoba
A 3.5-hectare landscape named after the Canadian province of Manitoba. The area presents North American wildlife such as wood bison, Hudson Bay wolves, black bears, Arctic foxes, porcupines, marmots, skunks, beavers and regional owl species. Its beaver castle and other interpretive elements are designed to show relationships between animals and their habitats.
Asian themed landscape · 2012
Angkor Wat
An Asian complex designed around the visual language of Cambodia's Angkor Wat temple architecture. It includes a walk-through monkey temple for southern pig-tailed macaques, tiger and red panda habitats, and an ape house for siamangs, gibbons and orangutans. The area also supports conservation communication, including the zoo's tapir-protection project and the public profile of the orangutan Buschi.
Specialized animal exhibit · 2009
Underground Zoo
A subterranean visitor route of approximately 500 square meters where guests can observe animals adapted to underground life. Species presented have included naked mole rats, black-tailed prairie dogs, tenrecs, coruros, rats, tarantulas and mole-rats. A former exhibition space was later converted into a bat grotto for Pallas's long-tongued bats.
Aquarium and terrarium
Tetra Aquarium and Terrarium
An aquarium and terrarium complex developed with support from Tetra GmbH. It includes freshwater and marine displays, a fish-touch pool and terrariums for snakes, giant tortoises and spectacled caimans. Leaf-cutter ants can be observed moving plant material through transparent tubes, while the caiman area uses a simulated tropical climate and scheduled artificial thunderstorms.
Marine-animal exhibit · 2021
Water Worlds
A themed marine-animal development connecting facilities for Humboldt penguins, harbor seals and California sea lions. The design includes visitor access to penguin breeding caves and links the marine displays with other major landscape areas. Construction began in 2021 after additional public funding helped address pandemic-related financial pressure.
Northern European themed landscape · 2011
Kajanaland
A taiga-inspired area named after the Kainuu region of Finland. Hybrid bears, lynx, wolverines, raccoons, reindeer, silver foxes and other northern species are viewed from ground level and from an elevated path reaching approximately six meters above the ground. The area became especially associated with the hybrid bears Tips and Taps.
Large-animal landscape · 2007
Valley of the Grey Giants
A large-animal landscape combining elephant and rhinoceros facilities with habitats for species such as porcupines, blue cranes, sand cats, lesser kudus, bat-eared foxes and elephant shrews. The area reflects the zoo's effort to replace isolated traditional enclosures with broader, geographically themed environments.
South American themed landscape · 1975
South American area
A collection of outdoor and indoor habitats for tapirs, maned wolves, vicuñas, rheas, coatis, capybaras, sloths, boas, tamarins, squirrel monkeys and capuchins. Its Mendoza hall interprets the ecology of northern Argentina's Mendoza province through tropical and subtropical plant and animal displays.
Controversies
2017
Death of hybrid bear Tips after escape
Hybrid bear Tips escaped from Kajanaland on March 11 after overcoming an electric fence and exploiting an opening connecting the bear area with a neighboring silver-fox enclosure. She then forced part of the enclosure barrier and moved toward the entrance. After visitors were sheltered and staff attempts to control her failed, the bear attacked employees and was shot. The incident led to a security review of enclosures and visitor facilities, and the body was later provided for scientific research.
Marketing campaigns
- 2017Wir für Buschi
Germany
A fundraising campaign centered on Buschi, a popular orangutan, helped finance the renovation and expansion of the ape house and associated enclosure within the Angkor Wat area.
Outcome. The campaign contributed about one-third of the approximately 1.5-million-euro project cost, according to the reference material.
- 2013Klimatopia
Germany
An interactive climate exhibition used the zoo's animals, climate ambassadors and mascots Tips and Taps to make climate-related topics accessible to family visitors.
Outcome. The exhibition expanded the zoo's education and conservation positioning.
- 2011United Buddy Bears – The Minis
Germany
For its 75th anniversary, the zoo hosted the United Buddy Bears exhibition, presenting a peace-and-tolerance message alongside public fundraising.
Outcome. The campaign generated donations reported at approximately 120,000 euros for the zoo and children's facilities.
Brand decisions
2021
Proceed with Water Worlds developmentProduct launchBackground
The zoo planned a new marine-animal area while facing financial losses connected with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Action taken
Construction began in May 2021 after additional funding from the State of Lower Saxony helped secure the project.
Aftermath
The project was intended to modernize facilities for sea lions, seals and penguins and continue the renewal of the zoo's large habitats.
Additional state funding. approximately 800,000 euros (2021)
2017
Enclosure security review after bear escapeOtherBackground
The escape of hybrid bear Tips exposed weaknesses involving an electric fence, an inter-enclosure opening and a deformable barrier element.
Action taken
The zoo reviewed the security of animal enclosures and visitor facilities and restricted access around the bear area after the incident.
Aftermath
The incident remained a significant safety and animal-management event in the zoo's recent history; the bear's body was later transferred for research.
2001
Precautionary closure during foot-and-mouth disease outbreakOtherBackground
An outbreak in the neighboring Netherlands created a disease risk for animal collections in the region.
Action taken
The zoo closed from March 22 to April 4 to protect its animals and limit possible transmission.
Aftermath
The precautionary closure ended after the reported outbreak period, allowing the zoo to resume visitor operations.
Recent events
- 2021
Water Worlds construction receives state support[1]
Product launch · Other
Construction of the Water Worlds area began after the zoo received additional funding from Lower Saxony in the context of pandemic-related financial losses.
- 2018
Manitoba North American landscape opens[1]
Product launch
The 3.5-hectare Manitoba area opened with North American species including wood bison, Hudson Bay wolves, black bears, porcupines, Arctic foxes and beavers.
- 2017
New section of Angkor Wat area completed[1]
Product launch · Campaign
The zoo inaugurated a further section of its Asian temple-themed area, including improvements to the ape house and the enclosure of the orangutan Buschi.
- 2011
Kajanaland taiga area opens[1]
Product launch
The zoo opened Kajanaland, a northern European landscape featuring hybrid bears and other taiga-associated species, together with an elevated visitor route.
- 2010
Takamanda African landscape opens[1]
Product launch
A 5.5-hectare African-themed area opened after the zoo expanded southward, creating habitats modeled on savannah and African forest environments.
- 2009
Underground Zoo opens[1]
Product launch
The zoo expanded its visitor offer with an underground exhibit focused on burrowing and subterranean animals.
- 2001
Zoo closes temporarily during the foot-and-mouth disease threat[1]
Regulation · Other
Zoo Osnabrück closed from March 22 to April 4 as a precaution during the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the Netherlands, alongside nearby zoos in Münster and Rheine.
Sources2 sources
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