Suche
Mein Konto
Big project at Duisburg Zoo: groundbreaking ceremony for hippopotamus facility!
Duisburg Zoo begins construction of a new pygmy hippopotamus facility and invests 4 million euros for more animal and visitor comfort.
Big project at Duisburg Zoo: groundbreaking ceremony for hippopotamus facility!
A lot is happening at the Duisburg Zoo! On December 6, 2025, the ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony for a new facility dedicated to pygmy hippos took place. This ambitious project is being realized with an investment volume of around 4 million euros and promises to be a real highlight for visitors. Mayor Sören Link, Sparkasse board member Helge Kipping as well as zoo director Astrid Stewin and zoological director Oliver Mojecki officially gave the starting signal today Rundschau Duisburg reported.
The new pygmy hippo enclosure will offer zoo visitors the opportunity to observe the friendly animals from different perspectives. Large panoramic windows and several viewing points are planned to enrich the observation experience. There will also be interactive signage about the pygmy hippos so that visitors can get detailed information about these special animals.
A well thought out design
The total area of the new facility is around 1,500 m². Of this, 700 m² is for outdoor facilities and 800 m² is for a warm house. This spacious design includes several bathing areas, densely planted areas as well as various substrates and mud wallows that are important for the pygmy hippos. What is particularly exciting is that the facility is divided into two indoor and two outdoor areas, which can be connected to each other if necessary, like this Duisburg Zoo website informed.
Additionally, it will be possible to accommodate smaller monkey species in the same facility, which may lead to indoor communal housing of primates and pygmy hippos. This innovative combination ensures that the animals can live in an appealing and varied environment.
Sustainable support for the project
Sparkasse Duisburg not only launched the project, but also supports it financially with an amount of 264,000 euros this year and further six-figure amounts in the coming years. With this support, Duisburg Zoo will be able to pursue its goal of educating the public about conservation breeding, research and knowledge transfer.
The new pygmy hippopotamus enclosure is scheduled for completion in 2027 and will be part of the zoo's comprehensive master plan. The Duisburg Zoo, with an area of 8 hectares and around one million visitors per year, continues to celebrate new successes and remains one of the most popular local recreation destinations in the region.
This project is a big plus for all animal lovers and families in the area. It is not only an enrichment for the zoo itself, but also for the entire region, which can look forward to an exciting and educational excursion destination. Stay tuned for more updates on construction progress and the opening of the new facility!