Saarbrücken Zoo starts a million-dollar project: Drill forest as a lighthouse!

Saarbrücken Zoo starts a million-dollar project: Drill forest as a lighthouse!

A significant construction project is imminent at Saarbrücken Zoo, which will not only improve the conditions for keeping endangered animal species, but will also fundamentally change the entire zoo landscape. Jakob Kolleck, the zoo's director for two years, announced the construction of a new, larger facility for the endangered large ape species Drill. The current location is not only outdated, but also too small for the professional keeping of these animals, which no longer meets international guidelines. The cost framework for the new “Drillwald” facility is over 3 million euros, with an EU-wide tender for the project imminent.

An important financial component is the donation of more than 400,000 euros, which comes from an inheritance from the zoo association “Friends of the Saarbrücken Zoo”. This inheritance was left by Else Moog, the daughter-in-law of zoo founder Gustav Moog, who opened the zoo in 1932. Kolleck sees the project as a “lighthouse project” as part of a comprehensive master plan that was approved by the city council in December 2024 and envisages total costs of around 96.6 million euros.

Master plan and renovation projects

The master plan for the modernization of the Saarbrücken Zoo can now be viewed online and highlights the vision of transforming the zoo into a “three-climate zone zoo” in the coming years. The plan is to create three climate zones: tropics, rainforests and temperate zones. A central goal of the plan is to promote animal welfare, create species-appropriate housing conditions and ensure the protection of endangered species. Visitors will have the opportunity to enter some enclosures while sanctuaries are created for the animals.

A new zone will be created in the “Amazon Rainforest” area, which will be realized together with a walk-in outdoor area for the tapir house and the big cat enclosure. The expansion of the feeding house into an adventure restaurant and the barrier-free design of the paths in the zoo are also on the agenda. Visitors can also look forward to the arrival of white rhinos and a pride of lions, while construction of the new drill facility is scheduled to begin in 2026.

Visitor numbers and public welfare

In 2024, the zoo recorded 190,000 visitors, an increase of 2,700 visitors compared to the previous year. What is fascinating is that around 30% of the guests come from France, which underlines the cross-border appeal of the zoo. Kolleck emphasizes that zoo operations should remain largely undisturbed during the extensive renovations.

The new winter facility for the Humboldt penguins is expected to open in August 2025, while the renovation of the South America house for tapirs and piranhas is in the planning phase. The goal is clear: to create a modern and species-appropriate zoo experience that benefits both the animals and the visitors.

For more information about the master plan and upcoming renovations, visit the zoo's website and reports Saarbrücken newspaper and Dudweiler Blog.