Neunkirchen Zoo

The Zoologischer Garten Neunkirchen (Neunkirchen Zoo) is a municipal zoo located in Neunkirchen, Saarland, Germany. It is the older and larger of the two zoos in Saarland, covering approximately 21 hectares and housing around 600 animals from 120 species according to its own figures. The zoo places a strong emphasis on Asian wildlife, including Asian elephants, snow leopards, Asian wild dogs (dholes), and orangutans. It is open 365 days a year and operates an ecological falconry with twice-daily flight demonstrations. The zoo is owned by the city of Neunkirchen and has been supported by municipal funding, most recently with 1.5 million euros invested between 2012 and 2016 for modernization. It celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2026. The zoo participates in European conservation breeding programmes and operates a quarantine and rescue station for confiscated exotic animals. Its facilities include the Elephant Temple (2004), a snow leopard gorge, a dhole forest, a monkey house (1999), and a new penguin bay opened in June 2024. The zoo is a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) and contributes to species conservation.

The Neunkirchen Zoo was founded on 22 October 1926, when the 'Aquarien- und Terrarienfreunde Neunkirchen 1922 e.V.' leased a 50-are plot at Jedermannsbrunnen from the city of Neunkirchen to create fish ponds and a clubhouse. In 1927, the first cages for polecats, ferrets, and buzzards were built. In 1934, the association purchased the leased land, opened a zoo restaurant, and welcomed its first lion. However, two years later, the zoo was transferred back to the city because the association could not cover maintenance costs. During World War II, the zoo suffered severe damage from vandalism and theft, and the animal stock was greatly reduced. After the war, reconstruction began in 1946 under Mayor Friedrich Brokmeier and Philipp Muthweiler, and the zoo reopened as the 'Städtischer Tiergarten' in April 1949. In 1964, the zoo was privatized and converted into a GmbH with Berthold Günther as managing director. It was subsequently expanded with an elephant house, a sea lion pool, and a giraffe house. In 1968, the animal stock was taken over from the privately run Mainz Zoo. In 1970, a new administration building, a zoo restaurant, and a new entrance were built. In 1987, Erich Honecker, the East German head of state born in Neunkirchen, donated the Asian lioness Honey from the Tierpark Berlin breeding programme. A new monkey house was built in 1999, and a new elephant house in 2004. From 2012 to 2016, the city invested 1.5 million euros in modernizing and naturalizing the enclosures. A quarantine and rescue station for confiscated exotic animals was built on the zoo grounds, with its topping-out ceremony in December 2017 and opening on 23 August 2018. The striped hyena reserve opened on 22 March 2018. From 2019 to 2022, the entrance area was completely renovated and a zoo shop was established. Zoo director Norbert Fritsch retired in 2026 after 25 years; biologist Konstantin Ruske, previously director of Tierpark Germendorf, took over on 1 March 2026. The zoo celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2026.

• Foundation: association leases land at Jedermannsbrunnen to create fish ponds and a clubhouse.

• First cages built for polecats, ferrets, and buzzards.

• Association purchases the land, opens a zoo restaurant, and welcomes the first lion.

• Zoo transferred back to the city due to financial difficulties.

• Post-war reconstruction begins under Mayor Friedrich Brokmeier and Philipp Muthweiler.

• Reopened as 'Städtischer Tiergarten'.

• Privatized and converted into a GmbH with Berthold Günther as managing director.

• Animal stock taken over from the privately run Mainz Zoo.

• New administration building, zoo restaurant, and new entrance built.

• Erich Honecker donates Asian lioness Honey from Tierpark Berlin.

• New monkey house built.

• New elephant house (Elephant Temple) completed.

• City invests 1.5 million euros in modernization and naturalistic enclosure design.

• Carnivore facilities (over 6000 m²) opened, including snow leopard gorge.

• Topping-out ceremony for quarantine and rescue station.

• Striped hyena reserve opened.

• Quarantine and rescue station officially opened.

• Entrance area completely renovated and zoo shop established.

• New Humboldt penguin enclosure (Penguin Bay) officially opened.

• Konstantin Ruske becomes zoo director, succeeding Norbert Fritsch.

• 100th anniversary celebrated with a large zoo festival.

A family-friendly, conservation-oriented municipal zoo with a focus on Asian species and immersive naturalistic enclosures.

• Zoo admission

  Daily admission to the zoo, open 365 days a year.

• Annual pass

  Annual membership for regular visitors.

• Zoo shop

  Offers zoo-related products and handmade clothing.

• Falconry shows

  Twice-daily commented flight demonstrations with eagles, falcons, and owls.

• Educational programmes

  Environmental education and children's festivals.

1. 1Neunkircher Zoo official websiteneunkircherzoo.de
2. 2Geschichte | Neunkircher Zooneunkircherzoo.de
3. 3Zoologischer Garten Neunkirchen - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
4. 4Zoologischer Garten Neunkirchen - Wikidatawikidata.org