Morning mist lies over the lion enclosure. A small mountain landscape can be seen in a shadowy manner, a moat runs through the 2400 square meter facility, in the background, in front of the shell of the future lion cave, zoo boss Rasem Baban and around 80 invited guests are celebrating the topping-out ceremony for the future residents Max and Benny, the two zoo lions . Understandably, you are not allowed to join the party on this foggy Friday morning, but have to wait until next spring in the “jungle world” until your new four million euro home is ready.
At the topping-out ceremony, zoo director Baban is visibly relieved that the fundamental renovation of the former bear enclosure has so far been on schedule despite the corona pandemic. Because the previous accommodation for the lion brothers is, according to Baban, “only tolerated” as an attitude, but not ideal from an animal welfare point of view.
“With the future lion enclosure, we will enable modern husbandry for this threatened species and are taking another big step towards the geozoo of biodiversity.” Because the previous location did not actually fit the Hellabrunn Geozoo principle: Lions do not belong in a jungle world in the “Geozone Asia”, but in the African savannah.
Mayor Verena Dietl (SPD), chairman of the zoo’s supervisory board, says it is important “that Max and Benny have good facilities and that they do justice to animal welfare. Here they can really let off steam”. The new home of the lions in the future “Geozone Africa” was planned by the Munich architecture firm Unit 5 Bürogemeinschaft. In cooperation with the architecture office Lanz Architekten und Generalplaner GmbH and TRR Landschaftsarchitekten Ritz und Ließmann from Munich, the original design for the facility has been updated and revised over the past four years, explains the zoo’s press office.
The conversion to a geozoo continues: zoo boss Rasem Baban at the topping-out ceremony for the new lion refuge in Hellabrunn.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
The enclosure, about three handball fields, should be “modeled” on the natural habitat of lions. The landscape with plants and large rocks should serve as a retreat and viewing point for the two animals. After all, there is a lot to see for the lions too. Because the zoo visitors will come pretty close to the predators. However, it will not be dangerous for the visitors. There are huge lattice fences, a moat and glass dividers.
A large glass wall offers a glimpse into the new lion house, which has, among other things, underfloor heating and a heated platform – for the lions and not for the visitors, of course. Overall, the facility is now even for four lions, so Benny and Max could definitely have roommates. Zoo director Baban does not want to anticipate this too far: “The facility is designed in such a way that after decades it would be possible to breed this endangered big cat again.” He doesn’t want to reveal more yet.