American gives Cologne Zoo 26 million euros - out of gratitude
Created: 04/01/2023 17:33
By: Johanna Werning
An American bequeathed 26 million euros to Cologne Zoo – out of “gratitude to Cologne”.
Because people from Cologne saved her husband's life.
Cologne – The Cologne Zoo is not only a real affair of the heart for the people of Cologne.
Zoo fans are drawn to Cologne Zoo from all over the Rhineland and North Rhine-Westphalia and sometimes from even further afield.
How great the love for the Cologne Zoo is is now evident: Because an American is now giving the zoo several million euros – and that has an emotional reason.
American donates 26 million euros to the zoo – because people from Cologne saved her husband's life
The American Elizabeth Reichert inherited the Cologne Zoo 26 million euros.
Christopher Landsberg, head of the Cologne Zoo, founded the corresponding foundation.
(IDZRW assembly).
© Cologne Zoo & Achim Scheidemann/dpa
Elizabeth Reichert leaves the Cologne Zoo around 26 million euros, reports 24RHEIN.
The American was born in Cologne.
After World War II, however, she moved to the United States with her husband Arnulf.
She died there in February 2022. Since the 96-year-old had no children, she left her money to the Cologne Zoo - because of her "gratitude to Cologne" and her "love for animals", the zoo explains.
Because Elizabeth Reichert and her husband survived the Second World War “only thanks to the help of courageous people from Cologne, who offered the Jew Arnulf Reichert hiding places.” They then set up a pet wholesale business in the USA.
The multi-million dollar fortune should now go to the Cologne Zoo.
Also "because they want to bring long-term benefits to as many people in the Rhineland as possible with the heritage," the zoo continues.
The baby animals in Cologne Zoo are so cute
View photo gallery
American gives Cologne Zoo 26 million euros – but there is one condition
There has been a close relationship between Reichert and the Cologne Zoo for years.
However, there is a special condition for the heritage at the Cologne Zoo.
It was also Elizabeth Reichert's wish that the money flow exclusively into the further development of the zoo's animal husbandry - so everything "for de Dierche", the zoo continues.
However, that shouldn't be a problem.
After all, the zoo has been involved in various animal welfare projects for years.
The main focus is on breeding endangered animal species under species-appropriate husbandry conditions.
However, the 26 million euros will not be paid out immediately.
The money was put into a foundation, from which the zoo will receive an annual dividend from now on.
“This eternity rule ensures that the zoo can benefit from this legacy over a very long period of time and for many generations to come.” The first payout alone was over US$700,000.
In the coming years it should even be 1 to 1.5 million euros per year.
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"We commemorate Mr. and Mrs. Reichert with honor," says Dr.
Ralf Unna, Chairman of the Zoo's Supervisory Board.
"At the same time, on behalf of the Supervisory Board, I would like to thank our CEO, Christopher Landsberg, for successfully dealing with all issues related to this legacy over many years with perseverance and expertise and leading to a deal that is so important for our Cologne Zoo."
Cologne Zoo | |
|---|---|
Address: | Riehler Strasse 173, 50735 Cologne |
Opening hours: | Monday to Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m |
Cologne Zoo gets millions inherited - not only from Elizabeth Reichert
Not only Elizabeth Reichert bequeathed her fortune to the Cologne Zoo.
The “Hans and Waltraud Korbmacher Foundation” alone distributed around 250,000 euros to the zoo in 2022.
In total, the Cologne Zoo received almost one million euros from various foundations.
“The zoo is very happy to be treated in this way.
It shows how much trust is placed in us as a Cologne institution and that we are professionally positioned when it comes to inheritance and fundraising,” said the zoo directors Prof. Theo B. Pagel and Christopher Landsberg.
"We thank the donors on behalf of all employees and honor their memory."
(jw)
