Zoo Stories - Wild Animals for Europe

 

All around the world, zoological gardens are crowd-pullers. In many countries, visiting a zoo is one of the most popular recreational activities: 600 million visitors per year were registered by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) in the previous years. But what is the secret of the wild animal and why do zoological parks arouse such a great deal of public interest? In seven sections, the exhibition traces the history of European zoos – from the openings and goals settings of the early zoological gardens to the demands on and responsibilities of today’s zoos.  

 

Sensational originals and reproductions present the topic “zoo” in an unprecedented way. One of the first directors of Vienna’s zoo, the last quagga that died in Amsterdam in 1883, and excerpts from the first stud book of the Przewalski’s horse are only a few displayed objects representing three centuries of zoo history. Exhibits covering issues such as animal catching, architecture, and the most famous zoo director Bernhard Grzimek are further highlights.

 

Source: Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris; Zoological Museum Amsterdam; Allwetterzoo Münster 

 

 

From the menagerie to the scientific zoological garden

In the 18th and 19th century, Europe was carried away by enthusiasm for zoos:  Based on the growing scientific interest, in many places zoos were opened to conduct research with living animals.

  

The Zoological Garden in London, 1835

Source: Zoological Society of London

 

 

Zoos in Westphalia

From the venerable zoo at the promenade in the Münster to the refoundations after World War II: The zoos in Westphalia are exemplary. They display Westphalia’s variety and social development of the last 150 years.

   

Elephant “August” in Münster’s former zoo

Photo: Allwetterzoo Münster

 

 

Famous zoo animals

Already long before the Knut-mania, nearly every zoo was home to a high-profile animal. Regardless of whether zoo animals arouse regional or international interest, some zoo residents possess something magical and therefore become crowd-pullers.

 

Walrus "Antje" at Hagenbeck’s zoo park, Hamburg

Photo: Tierpark Hagenbeck, Hamburg

 

How does a wild animal get to the zoo? Methods of catching and animal transport

Animal catching and animal transport are closely connected to the history of zoos. In early times, monarchs used animals as diplomatic gifts; in the 19^th century, animal trading became a prospering business. The exhibition provides insights into the methods and techniques used by animal hunters but also portrays special transportation requirements for zoo animals.

  

Catching of a zebra

Photo: Archiv Lothar Dittrich

 

 

Occupational field: zoo

Zoo keeper, veterinarian, and zoo director are famous personalities in every zoo. But what kind of education and skills are required? How does a typical working day look like and who else is working in the zoo? An institution introduces itself. 

 

“A Place for Animals” (“Ein Platz für Tiere”) on Hessischer Rundfunk with Bernhard Grzimek and “non-human” guests.

Photo: Hessischer Rundfunk, Frankfurt

 

 

Zoo architecture

From cages to outdoor enclosures, from moats to camouflaged wires, from concrete structures to landscape enclosures: The zoo architecture has experienced several changes in the last 200 years. The exhibition displays the expansion of the Berner bear moat, Carl Hagenbeck’s barless outdoor enclosures, and the greenhouse ecosystem at the Zoo Zürich.

  

Postcard portraying the lion enclosure at Hagenbecks Tierpark, Hamburg

Source: Andreas Soika, Münster

 

 

The zoo today

Everyone knows what a zoo is and everyone knows its residents. But who decides about animal husbandry? How does a zoo organize its breeding programs and what does a zoo need for its everyday operations? ‘Zoo Stories’ takes a look behind the scene of the zoo as a business.  

 

Reintroduction of zoo-born Przewalski’s horses in Mongolia

Photo: Christian Walzer, International Takhi Group

Zoo Stories -

Wild Animals for Europe

 

February 11 – July 25, 2010

 

in the Westphalian Horse Museum

located in the Allwetterzoo Münster

 

An exhibition by the Westphalian Horse Museum and the LWL-Museumsamt in cooperation with the Allwetterzoo Münster.

 

 

 

 

Traveling exhibition stops:  

 

Stadtmuseum Bergkamen                                          Aug 1 – Sep 19, 2010

Museum Wilnsdorf                                                    Sep 24 – Nov 21, 2010

Naturkundemuseum im Marstall, Paderborn                    Nov 26, 2010 – Jan 23, 2011

Bochumer Zentrum für Stadtgeschichte                       Feb 2 – March 27, 2011

Münsterlandmuseum Burg Vischering, Lüdinghausen        April 3 – May 29, 2011

Karl-Pollender-Stadtmuseum, Werne                            June 5 – July 31, 2011

Hermann-Grochtmann-Museum Datteln                        Aug 4 – Sep 4, 2011

 

 

For more information on previous exhibitions, click here.