Reviews - Zoos in Europe

And again it is November when I visit Münster Zoo, but this time the weather is much friendlier than last time, three years ago. With blue skies and the sun warming up the environment the all-weather-concept is redundant this time. This concept the Zoo has developed - ensure that the animals are visible under all circumstances or weather conditions - actually gave the Zoo its name, Allwetterzoo (all weather zoo). Part of the concept is the roof covered footpath, a corridor, of about 1 km. But the Zoo also stands out from most modern zoos because of the possibilities the visitors have to see many of the species, including the big cats, in their indoor facilities when they are not on display in the outdoor enclosure.

The fine weather allows for better pictures of course, so I hope you enjoy the gallery. During this tour around the zoo grounds I focus on modifications made since my previous visit and other newsworthy issues. Much is said about the grouping of the Zoo's animal collection already in the report of my visit in 2013, so, I will not dwell on this. Nevertheless, it is part of the appreciation of the changes made since then, and the grouping is still a mix of species aggregated based on taxonomic or geographic origin. The most recent Masterplan, however, that focusses on the Zoo's future in 2030 and beyond shows a grouping of species according to climate zones which allows for greater flexibility.

To be very honest not a lot has changed since November 2013. And most disappointing is the presence of the Persian leopards in their old-fashioned outdated enclosure. The leopards supposed to have been transferred to another zoo by now. Their enclosure was and still is not up-to-standard, while the Zoo hasn't the possibilities to improve the situation. Hence, the notice at the enclosure in 2013.

Cheetah cubs are on display again, like during my previous visit in 2013, in the large cheetah exhibit (7500 m²) that consists of several separate paddocks. Apparently, they are very successful in breeding this fastest land predator, which once had a reputation of not breeding in captivity, especially in small confined spaces. During my visit they have one of the cheetah cubs separated in a makeshift area with temporary fences because it is injured.

This time, one of the most remarkable animals at Allwetterzoo, the Asiatic golden cat or Temminck's cat (Catopuma temminckii) shows itself in its enclosure in the Lion House. Only one of the two specimens they keep here in Münster is visible, because the other one becomes nervous when many visitors come along and hides behind a wooden wall they installed in the exhibit just for this reason. Not many zoos keep these beautiful cats, which are considered Near Threatened close to Vulnerable according the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. In 2013, 27 Asiatic golden cats lived in 7 European zoos, while there were only 51 animals kept in zoos worldwide. Asiatic golden cats have been kept in Allwetter Zoo since 1985. The species does not appear to breed well in captivity. Male and female do not always accept each other, which was also the case in Allwetterzoo. Therefore it was decided to try artificial insemination, the world's first. And it was successful, with twins born on 7 April 2013.

Walking from the Lion House to the Afrikaneum I cross the bridge over the Zoo canal that is connected with the Lake Aa. During the summer months the solar boat “Solaaris” sails every hour on the Lake Aa and connects the city centre with the Allwetterzoo. That must be an interesting experience to arrive at the Zoo by boat. In the heart of Afrikaneum lies the extensive exhibit for the gorillas of 1250 m². The western lowland gorillas share the outdoor and indoor enclosure with red-capped or collared mangabeys (Cercocebus torquatus), enriching each other's live. While the exhibit has been fully refurbished in 2013 and the primates have ample opportunity to express their natural behaviour in the outdoor facility, the indoors of the Great Ape House doesn't appeal to me. Although of an unattractive design with its coated concrete floors and tilled walls, the enclosure probably is functional.

From the Great Ape House to the ZoORANGerie is just a short walk, but before having a look at the extraordinary community they have created there of two social Asian species, namely orangutans and small-clawed otters, I stop at the penguin enclosure. The population of African penguin, also known as jackass penguin or black-footed penguin (Spheniscus demersus), has grown to a total of 56 individuals. The risk of possible inbreeding doesn't allow the Zoo to breed this species currently, a zookeeper explained earlier during the guided tour I embarked on. A test is being developed to distinguish closely related animals and avoid inbreeding.

Located next-door to the penguins, where in former days the polar bears could be found, there is now the indoor enclosure for orangutans and the pool for grey seal. As the polar bear exhibit was absolutely not up to standard any more, it was decided that the bears had to make way for a brand new enclosure and should move to another zoo, in 1998. The seal pool is not very special, even rather dull, but the development of the ZoORANGerie as it is called with an indoor and outdoor enclosure for Bornean orangutan has turned out fine. Outdoors, the apes have access to a variety of vegetation on sloping grounds tucked away behind many trees, providing a rainforest feel for the visitors and hopefully a similar secure feel for the orangutans as well. Indoors, there is a different situation because it lacks natural vegetation. However, a rather unique mixed-species exhibit is created for orangutans and Asiatic small-clawed otters (see video). The indoor enclosure has a waterfall, tree trunks and many ropes as enrichment features, next to puzzle feeders and a large water-filled moat that is of course the domain of the otters.

I have never seen the educational facilities of a zoo so conveniently located as BioCity here at Munster Zoo. Just a few steps from the entrance BioCity with its three components reveals itself. Besides the International Centre for the Conservation of Turtles and the Zoo school, it houses the Information Centre with its exhibition on conservation and exploration of biodiversity. It shows that zoo management is serious about the Zoo's mission regarding education.

Likewise they take the weather seriously. It probably rains very often in Munster, because when turning right after the entrance a corridor system of roof covered footpaths begins. The total length of the footpath network in the Zoo is 4.5 km. The corridor system of about 1 km consists of two parts and gave the Allwetterzoo (all weather zoo) its name, because you can walk along many enclosures without getting wet when it rains. As a matter of fact, it is rainy and cold when I visit the Zoo. But what can you expect in late November? Perhaps snow .

As it had just stopped raining when I arrived at the Zoo I decide to start my tour outside and first go to the coati enclosure at the right of the entrance. A lovely exhibit with a very diverse environment enriched with rocks, large trees that the coatis are allowed to climb, connected via ropes. There's one daredevil outside in the enclosure, resisting the cold.

Then the two Syrian brown bears (Ursus arctos syriacus) attract my attention. The bears have a rocky environment, two waterfalls on either side of the enclosure, and a rear wall made of concrete without any effort to make it look more like a natural rock face. I know artificial rock face is make-believe and probably will not help the bears feel more comfortable, and maintenance will be more costly. Nonetheless, I admit that I prefer the looks of such a fake appearance. A large water-filled moat separates the bears from the public. There are several shelters for the bears on first level at the moat waterfront, where the bears can be seen by the public.

I see one of the Syrian bears sleeping in a makeshift den near the rear wall, while the other bear is clawing consistently at the door of their indoor quarters. This seems to be compulsive behaviour, because the bear shows this urge to go inside not only this time. Also when I return to the enclosure after 30 minutes it is still 'polishing' the door. The bear clearly does this all the time as the door shows signs of wear at the typical places where the bear scratches the door panel with its paws (see the video).

Around the corner from the Syrian brown bears there's a beautiful but small enclosure for the two Malayan sun bears. It is less rocky and with much more vegetation than the one for the brown bears, and a nice touch of bamboo. Again a water-filled moat and a waterfall. The sun bears are alowed to climb the trees and have several high level resting platforms at their disposal. Nevertheless they choose to stay inside, in their part of the Bear House as the Zoo calls it. And just the fact that it is called the Bear House makes me wonder about the grouping of the animal collection at Allwetterzoo. Because first of all coatis do not belong to the bear Family (Ursidae) taxonomically speaking, but to the Family of Procyonidae (together with for instance raccoons). Secondly, the original habitat of these three species differs. And thirdly, they come from three different geographical regions (South America (coati), Middle East (brown bear) and Asia (sun bear)). I will come back to the issue of grouping of the collection at the end.

Across the footpath from the brown bears there's a bongo exhibit. The presence here of this single African ungulate species amazes me even more considering the above reference to the grouping of the collection.

Walking past the Westphalian Horse Museum I visit the wolf enclosure. As a fenced off area of the original forest the terrain is far from being flat, with small boulders and a public viewing platform at a little pond. The two wolves I see are well-fed (fat!). Both these wolves are pacing, but while doing so they cover the whole area that is at their disposal, and therefore disappear regularly due to the design and the size of the enclosure.

Following my route along the outdoor footpath I arrive at a large birds of prey aviary which allows free flight to: griffon vulture, Eurasian black vulture, red kite and secretary bird.The robust construction is simple but impressive with radiating steel beams from the centre rooftop, like the legs of a giant spider, and wire mesh all around. Wild birds are nesting on top of the construction.

Next there's the not-so-impressive Amur tiger enclosure with a large water-filled moat at the front-side. It isn't a large enclosure and it lacks high level observation posts. Hiding is difficult in this enclosure, though the bamboo bushes provide some sort of shelter. There isn't a lot of enrichment and the two trees are protected from these big cat's scratching behaviour. The indoor enclosure, which can be seen when walking along the corridor system, is embarrassingly small.

Across from the tiger exhibit and the birds of prey aviary a cage with yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula) can be found. These beautiful species originate from Asia and belongs to the Family of Mustelidae (weasels and alike). It has a wide distribution in Asia, an evidently relatively stable population and lack of major threats in most geographic regions. Therefore they are classified as a species of Least Concern according the IUCN Red List. As you might know by now, this means they have no right to be part of a zoo collection in my opinion. How interesting they may be as a species. Valuable money and space is spent on such species while more endangered species even from the same Family could be kept for conservation purposes, such as the smooth-coated otter, the hairy-nosed otter, the southern river otter or the wolverine. Despite this remark, together the outdoor and indoor enclosures offer a great variety of substrate and enrichment, with many branches, rocks, a pond, a waterfall, to the marten. Unfortunately, due to the wire mesh and the little light at this spot of the Zoo on a winter's day I cannot take any picture.

The two Persian leopards (Panthera pardus saxicolor) are kept separate in old-fashioned outdated enclosures. It lacks shelter and climbing enrichment. One cage provides a ball attached to an extension spring, but this seems to be all the enrichment there is. Of course they know very well here in Munster that the enclosure is not up-to-standard, but they do not have the possibilities to improve the situation for the leopards. Therefore, it is decided that the animals will be transferred to a zoo with better facilities as soon as possible.

Gerald Durrell, founder of Jersey Zoo, always said you can acclimatise all species to all kinds of weather conditions. The pachyderms of Allwetterzoo prove this statement, because despite the cold they are outside in their paddocks.

The pachyderm house comprises white rhino, from the African continent, and Asian elephants. Although under the same roof it is made clear by the interior design which animal belongs to which habitat. The elephant area has tropical vegetation. The rhino environment, however, has sand-coloured walls and rock constructions which remind of the dry savannah region, their original habitat. This apparently works well for the rhinos because Allwetterzoo is one of the few zoos in Europe where the white rhinoceros regularly breeds successfully. Additionally the rhino house holds a small exhibit with the ever so popular meerkats, while the elephant house contains an aviary with rainbow lorikeets (Trichoglossus moluccanus) from Australia. The pachyderm house is a melting pot of geographical areas on its own. The lorikeets may be hand-fed by the public in their walk-through aviary, which lacks sufficient vegetation if you ask me.

The pachyderm house is the end of the corridor that begins right after the entrance. The other corridor - that is less long - connects the two parts of the Zoo grounds via one of the two bridges crossing the branch of Lake Aa, the zoo canal, that penetrates the area up until the entrance. This zoo canal is used in summertime by a regular boat service to drop you off at the zoo entrance.

The new elephant outdoor exhibit, the elephant park, measures 5000 m² (0.5 ha) and opened 10 June 2013. It consists of several compartments, with one reserved for the bull that only got one tusk. All parts are interconnected via gates. There's a large two-level viewing decks right in front of the pool, which must provide great sights when the elephants taking their bath.

For the next-door cheetahs a variety of viewpoints are available in their three large paddocks (7500 m²), which is not bad compared to many other zoos. The male is housed separately from the female and their five cubs, born 05.04.2013. The cubs have a healthy appetite and playfight over nice juicy meat chunks as you can see in the video.

Bordering the elephant park, the cheetah paddocks and the African savannah you'll find the reticulated giraffe exhibit. Indeed, the giraffes do not mingle with other African species in the savannah area. But the giraffes have a nice and large paddock just for themselves. It has a very shallow dry moat separating it from the public footpath, and I wonder if they ever try and step into the moat, seeking freedom or contact with the public. One of the giraffes is cripple and has a swollen left hock (see video).

The African lion exhibit is situated opposite the giraffe house where the second smaller corridor of the Zoo ends, or starts when you make your way to the exit from here. The lions have a free choice between the old-fashioned outdoor cages - originally intended for small cats - and a more modern bar-less peninsula. The outdoor moated peninsula for the lion pride of three, though rather small, provides the lions excellent opportunity to watch potential prey species in the Africa savannah exhibit just a few steps away. Especially when climbing one of the trees. On display in the large mixed-species African savannah are species such as springbok, Defassa waterbuck, blue wildebeest, eland antelope, Grant's zebra and East African crowned crane. But no giraffe as noted earlier.

The indoor enclosure for the lions is large compared to their outdoor area. It has got several enrichment features, high level platforms and woodchips bottom covering material which looks much more welfare friendly than the coated concrete floors you see in many other zoos.

Also kept at the lion house is, in my opinion, one of the most remarkable animals at Allwetterzoo - the Asian golden cat or Temminck's cat (Pardofelis temminckii or Catopuma temminckii). As Asian golden cats are considered Near Threatened and close to Vulnerable according the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™, this could make breeding in zoos important to prevent extinction. Nevertheless you do not see them often in zoos. In 2013, 27 Asian golden cats lived in 7 European zoos, while there were only 51 animals kept in zoos worldwide. Asian golden cats have been kept in Allwetter Zoo since 1985. The species does not appear to breed well in captivity. Male and female do not always accept each other, which was also the case in Allwetterzoo. Therefore it was decided to try artificial insemination, the world's first. And it was successful, with twins born on 7 April 2013.

Then I decide to return to the Tropical House, that is situated close to the entrance and the beginning of the longest roof covered footpath. Still outside it starts with an unheated walk-through aviary with macaws. Inside, the building comprises three exhibits in a tropical atmosphere with high temperatures and humidity. One of the exhibit is a walk-through aviary with tropical vegetation, many bird species, Indian flying foxes (Pteropus giganteus), and a pond with koi carp. The second exhibit is a nondescript reptile house, while the third exhibit is a large structure which holds white-faced saki (with a newborn of 01.04.2013), acouchi and superb starling. It is an enclosure with a lot of artificial enrichment (tree trunks and ropes) and some vegetation, that allow the monkey to express their natural behaviour. Also because the total height is at least 6 metres.

When crossing the bridge near the entrance to go to the great apes I need to hurry up because it is already late afternoon. Following the footpath of the corridor that begins at the ZoOrangerie, as it is called, I enter the primates section of the Zoo. At the Bornean orangutan outdoor enclosure an excellent footpath with woodchips bottom covering material and plenty of vegetation provides a rainforest feel. Probably due to the cold weather the orangutans are inside. In the indoor enclosure the Zoo has created a rather unique mixed-species exhibit of orangutans and Asian small-clawed otters (see video). At least to me it was unique. The enclosure has a waterfall, tree trunks and many ropes as enrichment features, next to puzzle feeders and a large water-filled moat that is of course the domain of the otters. Although the enclosure itself lacks natural vegetation, the building offers plenty of jungle features to the public such as vegetation, high temperatures and high humidity.

Walking from the ZoOrangerie to the Great Ape House you pass inter alia the penguin enclosure and a monkey house with mainly South American monkeys - except for the odd mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) from the African continent and the southern three-banded armadillo (Tolypeutes matacus). All the small monkeys have nice indoor exhibits packed with vegetation. Further along the path there's the island with black-and-white ruffed lemurs, which are outside despite the cold. On another island with ring-tailed lemur the visitor is allowed to walk through the exhibit, but these lemurs made a wise decision. Indeed, they had gone inside.

Although the name suggests only great apes to be found at the Great Ape House, there are lemurs and collared mangabeys (Cercocebus torquatus) as well. The mangabeys are the playmates of the lowland gorillas and share both the indoor and the outdoor facilities with them. The construction and design is equally artificially unattractive in all enclosures, with coated concrete floors, tiled walls and many enrichment features. Although the great apes have plenty of straw as bottom covering material and the design could be functional, I still find it unattractive and the gorilla enclosure small.

The area in between the Great Ape House, the zoo canal and the edge of the premises is called the Africaneum. It comprises enclosures for the gorillas and the mangabeys, and red river hogs. In the heart of Africaneum lies the extensive exhibit for the gorillas of 1250 m². The adjacent chimpanzee exhibit size is 750 m². Both the exhibits are profoundly refurbished earlier this year due to deterioration of the old wooden fences and other materials. Most eye-catching are the high climbing trees that have been erected and the many shrubs that have been planted. In addition, hammocks, ropes, the grass, hills, caves, waterfalls and bathing pools provide ample opportunity for the apes to express their natural behaviour. The gorillas can freely move between the indoors and outdoors facilities.

At this point I decide to make my way to the exit, because it is already getting dark. Nevertheless, one of the very special exhibits is yet to come, the walk-through colobus monkey exhibit. Having the chance for a close encounter with such arboreal monkeys is not offered by many zoological parks as far as I know. Although in their original habitat the monkeys aren't ground-dwellers they seem quite at ease sitting on the grass here at the Zoo. On the other hand, although the trees in the enclosure are not that large, they are large enough for this arboreal monkey to keep away from the inquisitive visitors when necessary.

Close encounters
It seems very important to the Allwetterzoo management that the public is offered close encounters with the animals. Besides several walk-through exhibits, of which the colobus monkey one is rather unique, they offer opportunities for feeding elephants, lorikeets, and penguins by the public. The experience of such an encounter will be remembered by those involved, and hopefully make them more sensitive to the message the Zoo wants to get across, the importance of wildlife conservation. Although I understand that the animals we see at a zoo being involved in such activities will never return into the wild, I am very reluctant to engage in feeding activities because we are forced upon the animals, so to speak.

Grouping of the animal collection
The grouping of a zoo's animal collection can be a good guidance for visitor's to select how to organise their tour around the premises. Furthermore, it helps to structure the educational information. At Allwetterzoo it seems that they have been indecisive or didn't manage to stick to one plan. The main goal seems to have been taxonomic grouping, bringing together primates, bears, predators, birds and pachyderms. But then again they had this grand idea of focussing on creating communities, or mixed-species exhibits. For instance already in 1974 at the opening of the new Allwetterzoo at its current location, a whole area was dedicated to African species with the large savannah area as their pride and joy. Nowadays, only the Asian golden cat is the odd one out in this section. Another example of what they achieved in this concept is the extraordinary community they have created of two social Asian species, namely orangutans and small-clawed otters. This is a rare achievement in the zoo community worldwide.

See for yourself the animal collection plotted on the Zoo map here.

And there's the Tropical House of course. At the tropical house the grouping is habitat oriented, but there is sub-grouping as well - with the aviary, reptile house and the South American community. This enclosure with the white-faced saki, acouchi and superb starling is perhaps illustrative of what they try to achieve at Allwetterzoo and what they end up with. It brings together three species from a tropical habitat, of which two are from South America and one from Africa (the superb starling), while they call it a South American community. So while trying to show how species live together in real life, and at the same time make sense of the geographical origin of the species they create a bit confusion. But what speaks in their favour is the fact that they do explain on their website that the superb starling does not originate from South America but from Africa.

I understand that zoos evolve and that, although slowly, the concept of how to present animals and the necessary education to the public is constantly changing. This is challenging for zoo managements. Therefore, masterplans are developed and zoos are building for the future - trying to be future proof. Therefore I am curious how Allwetterzoo will develop over time while bringing into practice their concept of creating communities and mixed-species exhibits.

Two young orangutans engage in a playfight

Mr. Miyagi the young Bornean orangutan, born 5 May 2014, is already challenging his one year older sister, Niah, when playing together. With their 'room-mates', the small-clawed otters, as spectators. Furthermore, it turns out that some carton doubles nicely as a floor to practise a breakdance move.

The grooming of a newborn red-capped mangabey

One of the hands of this red-capped mangabey infant is being cleaned meticulously by a parent. These mangabeys live together with western lowland gorillas in the outdoor enclosure.

Young rhino is dreaming of a good challenge

This energetic white rhino youngster is challenging its mother. He loses of course, but in his dreams he wins or at least reaches a standoff like his father in the adjacent enclosure.

Cheetah cubs

These five cheetah cubs (born 05.04.2013) have a healthy appetite and playfight over nice juicy meat chunks while mum is watching over them - and occasionally joins in.

Asian small-clawed otters know where the food is

These otters have some interesting room-mates in their indoors enclosure, or should I say the Bornean orangutans share their exhibit with the otters. Anyway, it is a combination of species you don't see often in zoos.

Syrian brown bear locked itself out

I am not sure if you can call this stereotypic behaviour, though at least it is compulsive behaviour as the bear showed this urge to go inside during a very long period while I was around. And even when I returned to the enclosure after 30 minutes it was still 'polishing' the door. The bear clearly does this all the time as you can see the door shows signs of wear at the typical places where the bear scratches the door panel with its paws.

BioCity

As an initiative of the Westphalia Society for Species Conservation and inaugurated on the 5th of July in 2005 the BioCity in Munster Zoo became an official project (2007/8) of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014). Situated in a glass building at the entrance of the zoo, its three components are dealing with the so called “Network of Life”:

The International Centre for the Conservation of Turtles (IZS) aims at saving critically endangered Asian turtles from extinction. The Asian box turtles of the genus Cuora belong to the species in focus of the breeding centre. The IZS is not freely accessible for the Zoo visitor, but many breeding tanks can be seen via the windows of this transparent building.

In the Education Centre or Citizen Research Centre, in other words the Zoo school, children and youngsters have the opportunity to conduct their own “projects” under professional supervision. The interrelation between biodiversity and environment can be experienced in the laboratory and in the field where the young scientists can work on their own or in a team. The favourable situation in Munster Zoo offers the unique opportunity to observe the behaviour of various animals. BioCity's own laboratory is the perfect place to elaborate experiments, analyse the data and present the results. The Education Centre is also an open forum for all visitors. In lectures, discussions and events they can get informed and involved.

The Information Centre deals with the most important task of the society within the 21st Century - to preserve and explore biodiversity as the basis of all life. This exhibition with viewing possibilities into the International Centre for Conservation of Turtles is open daily.

(Source: website Munster Zoo; website BioCity)

Westphalian Horse Museum

In February 1992, a number of horse enthusiasts met and founded a development association in Munster - only a few kilometres away from Germany's equine stronghold Warendorf - with the aim to erect a museum illustrating the cultural history of breeding, riding, and driving in the region of Westphalia. Today, the association counts over 500 members from all parts of Westphalia.

In 1996 the Allwetterzoo in Munster decided, as part of a restructuring programme, that the Westphalian Horse Museum as an independent institution would make a good public attraction together with the planned horse park.

The Museum and its areas: Large exhibition hall (permanent and special exhibitions) Children- and Horse Park with various horse breeds Arena Hippomaxx for events Foyer, Shop and Information

With imagination and energetic commitment from the association, it took only ten years to establish a collection of exhibits and secure finances. Due to the financial support of a variety of sponsors such as regional government, banks, and a number of sponsors from industry and commerce, a building contract was awarded to the winner of the competition for architectural design, in 2001.

So, a lively museum was opened to the public on 27 October 2002, to present its visitors a stimulating interaction between exhibits and real horses of different breeds. A unique concept and the attractive location of the Allwetterzoo Munster make the Westphalian Horse Museum an experience for everyone. Apart from 1,000 m² exhibition space and a generous foyer, the Arena Hippomaxx, where horse shows and other events regularly take place, belongs to the museum.

Since May 2005 the Children and Horse Park is linked to the museum. Here, children can experience different breeds of horses and giant Poitou donkeys.

(Source: website Allwetterzoo; website Westfälische Pferdemuseum)

Some additional information, such as contact details and involvement in breeding programmes.

directions to Munster Zoo, Allwetterzoo Munster

The Munster Zoo is just 5 km from the cathedral and city centre, nevertheless it is surrounded by the beautiful green landscape of the Lake Aa (Aasee) recreation area. If you enjoy walking, it is good to know that you will reach the Zoo by foot in about 45 minutes from the main railway station via a promenade and the road along the bank of Lake Aa (Aasee-Uferweg). In the immediate vicinity of the Zoo you will find the Westphalian State Museum of Natural History with Planetarium and the 'Mühlenhof' open-air museum.

Address:
Sentruper Strasse 315
D-48161
Munster
Germany

public transport

by train and bus

From the main railway station (Hauptbahnhof) of Munster bus line 14 takes you directly to the zoo entrance. The bus stop is located opposite the main entrance of the station. The bus leaves every 20-minute.

Timetable and route information is available here.

by boat

During the summer months the solar boat "Solaaris" sails every hour on the Lake Aa and connects the city centre with the Allwetterzoo. The waterbus penetrates the Zoo's premises and reaches its harbour via the Zoo canal while passing the enclosures of the capuchin and cheetah. The Munster Zoo is the only zoo in Germany that can be reached by water.

Timetable and prices can be found here.

by bicycle

By bicycle you can reach the Zoo comfortably on well-marked bike paths. Next to the Zoo entrance you will find covered parking for your bike, including a charging station for electric bicycles. The website komoot shows you the nicest routes from every place of departure.

by car

By car you can reach the Zoo via motorway A 1, A 43, B 51 or B 54. From the city limit signs show the way to the zoo. There's a parking lot for more than 3,000 cars. Parking costs 3,- Euro per day.

Please note: Munster Zoo can be reached without having an low emission zone sticker.

Download the zoo map here.