Tierpark veterinarian Christine Gohl has been accompanying thousands of animals at Munich Zoo for 21 years, from birth to death. A conversation about their duties, the ruthlessness of nature and why there is no cemetery in the zoo.
Interviewed by
Philip Crones
In addition to veterinarian Christine Gohl, five other people are sitting at the table. She is flanked by a colleague, the head of the zoo, press officers, the head of the zoo. Apparently, the topic of death in the zoo is not easy for the zoo. There has just been a death that has moved many visitors: a gorilla baby was discovered by animal keepers on New Year’s Eve in Hellabrunn shortly after its birth. His mother did not accept him, his health deteriorated rapidly and he had to be put down. The autopsy revealed that it was seriously ill and had little chance of surviving. Christine Gohl, specialist veterinarian for zoo, enclosure and wild animals, has been in Hellabrunn for 21 years and is the head veterinarian there. The 50-year-old speaks very carefully about what is perhaps the most difficult task in her job and carefully considers every formulation.