Wilhelma

This article is about the zoo. For the templer settlement, see Wilhelma, Palestine

Wilhelma

Wilhelma in 1900
Date opened	1919 (as a botanical garden) 1951 (first animal exhibit)
Location	Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Coordinates	48°48′19″N 9°12′11″E
Annual visitors	2.1 million (2006)
Website	www.wilhelma.de/nc/en/home.html

The large greenhouse at Wilhelma

Wilhelma, built as a royal palace, is now a zoo in the northern suburbs of Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is Europe's only large combined zoological and botanical garden and is home to over 8,000 animals from over 1,000 different species and exotic plants from over 5,000 species.

The upper section of the zoo includes an impressive stand of sequoia trees.

The zoo immediately adjoins a public park to its west, laid out in the 'English landscape style' of rolling grass and informal groups of trees. In landscape terms this perfectly complements the landscape of the zoo.

History

The Wilhelma was originally a royal palace, in Moorish Revival style, and echoes such buildings as the Alhambra Palace. Besides animals and plants, the Wilhelma is therefore also worth visiting for its architecture, which is intact from the mid-19th century.

After being closed to the public during World War II, Wilhelma was opened again in 1949 with an azalea show, followed by the "Great Aquarium Show." In 1951, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and penguins arrive as special exhibitions, but are kept after the exhibition ends, starting the animal collection. Elephants and tigers arrive in 1952.

Exhibits

The zoo is famous for keeping all four kinds of great apes (bonobos, chimpanzees, orangutans, and gorillas), all in families with offspring, as well as for its aquarium featuring animals and plants from all over the world. The botanical gardens contain Europe's biggest magnolia grove. It was also the home of the polar bear Wilbär.

As is common in many German zoos, barriers between spectators and animals are minimal. The bird enclosures let visitor enter and wander among the birds in a landscaped environment.

There is an extensive insectarium on the grounds. There are many types of insects grown and kept live for the public to see, including african colored scarab beetles, among many others. There are butterflies, spiders, millipedes, and several beetle species that are continually cultivated and kept living, by breeding generation after generation of the individual species of choice.

Breeding and conservation

A particularly unusual feature is the "hatchery" where chicks can be watched hatching and mother birds feed their chicks at very close quarters.

The zoo has become a center for raising motherless apes from all over Europe.

Breeding of invasive plant

The aquarium staff was responsible for altering the genes of Caulerpa taxifolia, such that it became a highly invasive plant known as "Killer Algae" which "has had severe negative consequences for biodiversity".

Transport

The zoo sits next to a main arterial route from the city centre and is easily accessed by car. The road can be very busy on holidays and weekends.

A tram line (U14) connects the zoo to the city centre.

The future

A new ape house is under construction and is scheduled to be opened in 2012.

Gallery

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  Herons in a tree at the entrance

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  The green- and nocturnal house

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  Nymphaea pond in spring

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  Elephant

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  Echinocactus grusonii

See also

• List of botanical gardens in Germany

External links

• Media related to Wilhelma Zoo at Wikimedia Commons
• Official website