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History of the Tierpark up to 2002 |
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Cottbus
Zoo opened its gates for the first time on 1 June 1954. In no time at
all, a zoo for native species had taken shape in a stunning location
between the River Spree and Branitz Park with substantial support from
the National Building Corps and dedicated citizens.
Under the direction of Dipl.-Biol. Erhard Frommhold (1956-1963), Cottbus
Zoo rose to prominence as a state-approved zoo - one of the first eight
in the GDR. Dipl.-Biol. Kunz Rauschert (1963-1966) was succeeded as
director by Dipl.-Biol. Klaus Jacob (1966-2002), who played a key role
in developing the zoo over a number of decades.
Lions, tigers and bears arrived when the predator house was opened in
1968, followed a year later, in 1969, by the first elephant (Sundali) to
come to Cottbus. A comprehensive collection of geese, ducks, storks and
other aquatic birds was soon assembled and Cottbus Zoo quickly became
known for its successful birdkeeping and breeding techniques.
Original breeds from this era were the Chilean flamingo in 1977 and the
West African crowned crane in 1979.
A milestone in German zoo history was the first meeting of the reunified
Federation of German Zoo Directors in East Germany in response to an
invitation from Cottbus Zoo in 1993. With the support of the city of
Cottbus, various companies and the Friends of the Zoo Association set up
in 1994, new facilities were subsequently built; these included the
administration and staff building (1991), penguin rocks (1993), the
porcupine and meerkat house (1993), an extension to the wading bird
house (1999) and the gibbon house (1997).
When Klaus Jacob retired in 2002, Dr. med. vet. Jens Kämmerling was
appointed as his successor.
Source: official site of
Tierpark Cottbus (2016)
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