"Nature is not fair!"

CEOs for Berlin visit Zoo Berlin

Philipp Zettl | Policy Officer

At the invitation of Dr. Andreas Knieriem, Director of Zoo and Tierpark Berlin, the CEOs for Berlin met for an exclusive evening tour of the zoo. It became clear that behind the scenes of this traditional zoo is a highly complex operation - and a place that constantly balances emotion and seriousness.

Berlin Zoo is not only the oldest of its kind in Germany, but also the most species-rich in the world with around 1,200 species. The logistical effort behind feeding plans alone - almost 215 tons of fruit and vegetables per year - and enclosure maintenance - around 278 tons of meadow hay - gives an idea of how complex it is to run a modern zoo, which includes the Aquarium and Tierpark in addition to the Zoological Garden.

The evening's stops included the newly opened rhino pagoda and the Panda Garden - with a special highlight: this year's offspring. The newborn panda twins Meng Hao and Meng Tian not only caused collective amazement, but also prompted numerous questions about husbandry, care and international cooperation. This is because the pandas officially belong to the People's Republic of China and are merely on permanent loan. 

But the participating CEOs weren't just there to watch - they were also working: The rhinoceroses were waiting for their dinner. The animals, which can weigh up to three tons, eat up to 150 kg of grasses, aquatic plants, leaves and shoots per day. The CEOs for Berlin did not miss the chance to feed such an animal and were happy to help out!

Dr. Knieriem used the tour to repeatedly highlight a contrast: between the "cute animals" that delight visitors and the often brutal living conditions of their conspecifics outside the zoo. "Nature is not fair," said Knieriem - and that is precisely why we need institutions that take education, research and species conservation seriously and pursue them in the long term.

To round off the evening, the CEOs gathered on the terrace of the zoo restaurant. Over cool drinks and a summery evening atmosphere, they continued to talk about the tour, the role of the zoo - and the role of Berlin. Dr. Knieriem made a passionate plea for the city: "We have a task - we need to tell people more often how great this city is." He expressly called the CEOs for Berlin to account.