Frankfurt Zoo to combine three national parks in one zoo

Frankfurt Zoo is set for a major transformation, with plans to redesign nearly half of its grounds. The project aims to recreate environments like savannas and rainforests, allowing visitors to experience diverse wildlife and understand the importance of conservation.

Revamping the zoo with natural landscapes

Frankfurt Zoo will undergo a significant overhaul as part of the “Zoo Zukunft 2030+” master plan, announced by the city and the zoo on Wednesday. The project will focus on transforming around 50% of the zoo’s 11-hectare site over three construction phases. The redesign aims to replicate the feeling of being in a national park, giving visitors the chance to “travel” through savannas, rainforests, and other wild landscapes. Christof Schenck, managing director of the Zoological Society of Frankfurt (ZGF), emphasized that the transformation will allow visitors to experience the beauty of these ecosystems without leaving an ecological footprint.

The project was developed from a 2019 concept study and addresses outdated zoo structures, many of which were built under the renowned former director, Bernhard Grzimek. These buildings are now considered inefficient, both energetically and functionally, for the animals and staff.

Combining animal welfare with heritage protection

Zoo director Christina Geiger has been navigating the delicate balance between modernizing the zoo and preserving its historical structures. Geiger collaborated with local heritage authorities to align their interests with the zoo’s evolving needs. The plans appear to have garnered support, with Ina Hartwig, Frankfurt’s Cultural and Scientific Affairs Councillor, confident that the city council will approve the master plan.

The first phase of construction is expected to begin soon, with the southwest section of the zoo set to reopen by 2031 as a savanna landscape. This section will feature vast, open spaces where animals such as hippos, giraffes, rhinoceroses, and zebras can share a common habitat.

A showcase of conservation efforts

The transformation also aims to further strengthen the zoo’s connection to the ZGF. Many of the animals in the zoo are from regions where the ZGF operates as one of the world’s largest conservation organizations. The redesigned areas, named Serengeti, Lomami, and Manú after ZGF’s key conservation zones in Africa and South America, will serve as immersive experiences for visitors, showcasing the importance of protecting these natural habitats.

As Geiger explained, the zoo is increasingly positioning itself as a “showcase” for the ZGF’s conservation work. This effort is supported by the master plan, which incorporates modern zoo trends while preserving Frankfurt’s unique identity.