As of: February 7, 2024, 7:53 p.m
By: Fabian Diekmann
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After recently declining visitor numbers, the Kronberg Opel Zoo is hoping for a turnaround in 2025.
Then a baby elephant is supposed to be born there.
Kronberg - The last time an elephant was born was 56 years ago in Kronberg's Opel Zoo.
This is about to change soon.
The zoo's resident elephant, Kariba, is pregnant and is due to give birth in the summer of 2025 - elephant pregnancy lasts almost two years.
Five African elephants currently live in Kronberg.
In addition to Kariba and the father of the new baby, Tamo, the female Cristina, her three-year-old son Neco and the 50-year-old cow Lilak, who can no longer have any offspring due to her age, live there.
There have also been changes in the giraffes in the last year: After the Rothschild giraffes moved out, the Opel Zoo is now home to the three reticulated giraffes Maja, Kimia and the breeding bull Timon, who, according to the zoo, will soon also provide offspring for the giraffes.
African elephants are in their outdoor enclosure at the Opel Zoo.
© Arne Dedert/dpa/archive image
Opel Zoo Kronberg recorded fewer visitors in 2023 than in the previous year
After the Opel Zoo enjoyed record numbers of visitors in 2022, not as many people came last year.
According to zoo director Thomas Kauffels, this is due to the bad weather in March and during the autumn holidays.
Overall, he is satisfied with the result, which is above the average of the last decade.
What worries Kauffels more is the personnel situation.
“For the first time, we are having long-term problems filling positions,” says the zoo director.
More and more young people are therefore being trained in the zoo.
In addition, the missing staff will be recruited across Europe.
The Opel Zoo in Kronberg is home to 1,790 animals.
According to its own information, it is the only zoo in Germany that is not subsidized.
(Fabian Diekmann with dpa)