Figure 1--We see large numbers of German boys after World War II holding lion cubs, we think at the Berlin Zoo. Most of the photographs seemn to date from the 1950s and 60s, but we do see some in the 1930s, such as an unidentiied DJ boy. What boy wouldn't have wated to hold a cun. The cubs are pertty good size and suprisingly rather well behaved. I am guessing that this was a fun raising ativity for the Zoo. This photograph was taken in 1961.

The first zoos in Europe were the menagerie of royaly. Louis XIV was noted for his menagerie at Versailles. Modern zoos were a Victorian innovation as the rising middle class began demanding parks, libraries, and other public facilities. The first zoo in Germany was the Berlin zoo. This was also one of the first European zoos. Berlin at the time was the capital of the rising state of Prussia. The zoo was opened (1844). The cages were designed by Peter Lenne. Exibits displayed thousands of animals. The Berlin zoo became one of the finest in Europe. It like other German zoos was destroyed by the Allied bombing. Few animals survived. The Zoo was rebuilt after the War. It was in the Western Sector. hus East Germany built its own zoo. The Berlin Zoo is again again a premier world zoological institution. For more than a century and a half the Berlin Zoo has provided wonderful experiences for children and adults. Since World war II another important wildlife experience opened in Germany--adventure parks (wild animal and safari parks) . These facilities now are not just for public display, but play an important part in the preservation and conservation of wildlife. There are about 300 public animal collections in Germany of varying descripotions from majoe zoos to butterfly parks. The most important in addition to the Berlin Zoo include: Cologne Zoo, Frankfurt (Kronberg) - Opel Zoo, Frankfurt Zoo, Hamburg - Hagenbeck Zoo, Hanover Adventure Zoo, Leipzig Zoo, Munich - Hellabrunn Zoo, Nuremberg Zoo, Stuttgart - Wilhelma Zoological & Botanical Gardens. Over time the clothing worn to zoos has changed.

Zoo History

The first zoos in Europe were the menagerie of royaly. Louis XIV was noted for his menagerie at Versailles. Modern zoos were a Victorian innovation as the rising middle class began demanding parks, libraries, and other public facilities. The first zoo in Germany was the Berlin zoo. This was also one of the first European zoos. Berlin at the time was the capital of the rising state of Prussia. The zoo was opened (1844). The cages were designed by Peter Lenne. Exibits displayed thousands of animals. The Berlin zoo became one of the finest in Europe. Carl Hagenbeck was a major force in German zoos. His zoo was in Hamburg and he opened it in 1848. It was called Hagenbeck's Tierpark. The Berlin Zoo like other German zoos was destroyed by the Allied bombing. Few animals survived. The Zoo was rebuilt after the War. It was in the Western Sector. hus East Germany built its own zoo. The Berlin Zoo is again again a premier world zoological institution.

Activities

For more than a century and a half the Berlin Zoo has provided wonderful experiences for children and adults. These facilities now are not just for public display, but play an important part in the preservation and conservation of wildlife.

Types of Institutions

Since World war II another important wildlife experience opened in Germany--adventure parks (wild animal and safari parks) .

German Zoos

Germany before World War I had some of the best zoos in Europe. The best German zoo was the Berlin Zoo, but other major cities like Hamburg had important zoos. There are about 300 public animal collections in Germany of varying descripotions from majoe zoos to butterfly parks. The most important in addition to the Berlin Zoo include: Cologne Zoo, Frankfurt (Kronberg) - Opel Zoo, Frankfurt Zoo, Hamburg - Hagenbeck Zoo, Hanover Adventure Zoo, Leipzig Zoo, Munich - Hellabrunn Zoo, Nuremberg Zoo, Stuttgart - Wilhelma Zoological & Botanical Gardens.

Child Visits

Surprisingly we note quite a number of images of children photographed holding the animals, including potentially dangerous animals. We have seen quite a number of photographs of boys with lion cubs. The number suggests that this was much more common than in other countries. We wonder if German zoos might have used such photographs as a means of generating additional revenue. Perhaps they had a deal with the photographer. We are guessing that this photograph was taken by a zoo photographer and not the boy's father.

Clothing

Over time the clothing worn to zoos has changed. The photographic record provides us many images of children visiting the zoos. People dressed up to visit zoos in the 19th and early 20th century. After World War I dress began to become mnore casual. We see many youth groups visiing the zoos with the boys wearing their uniforms. After World War II we begin to see the casual clothes that ae common today.