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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Why can’t I see any animals in some enclosures?

No animal enclosures are empty at Frankfurt Zoo - except during conversion or renovation work. Have you looked closely? The largely naturally designed enclosures are adapted to the animals' needs and offer them an environment as close to nature as possible with hiding places. As a result, you sometimes have to look a little closer to spot the animals. 
In addition, most of the animals have an indoor and an outdoor enclosure. The animals can choose which enclosure they want to be in. So it is possible, that at the moment of your visit, all the animals of one species are in the animal house, for example, and the outdoor enclosure is therefore empty. For many species, however, it is possible to visit the animals in their indoor enclosures because Frankfurt Zoo has many animal houses.

WHY DO THE MEADOWS AT THE ZOO LOOK SO WILD AT TIMES IN SUMMER?

Because we are in the middle of the city, we also want to be an oasis for native animals and plants. That's why our gardeners often let wild herbs and meadow flowers grow until they have formed their seeds. This benefits insects, butterflies and birds. Not only because of the food supply - many animals also use the plants as nurseries.

WHY IS IT NOT ALLOWED TO FEED ANIMALS at THE ZOO?

Many zoo animals are food specialists and can only tolerate very specific foodstuffs in a certain quantity. Too much or the wrong food can lead to illness and even death of the animals.
Overfeeding is also unhealthy and must be avoided. In order to control the type and quantity of food, only professional staff are allowed to feed the animals.

WHY ARE DOGS NOT ALLOWED IN THE ZOO?

For many zoo animals, the smell of dogs can cause stress and panic, because dogs are among their predators. Also, many visitors are intimidated by dogs. They want to let their children run and play in the zoo free from any kind of danger.
Dog droppings are also a problem as not all dog owners take care of their removal. It is natural for dogs to urinate and mark their territory. However, this poses the risk of domestic dogs transmitting contagious diseases to our wild dogs. It is not only from the zoo's point of view, but also in your dog's best interest that you spare him a visit to the zoo.

WHY ARE THERE NO ELEPHANTS AT THE ZOO?

Frankfurt Zoo is only 11 hectares in size and is one of the smaller zoos in Germany. Because of husbandry guidelines the zoo cannot offer large animals, such as elephants, the required space necessary to keep them in a manner appropriate to their species and we stopped displaying elephants in the 1980s. 

WHY ARE THERE NO POLAR BEARS AT THE ZOO?

Polar bears need a lot of peace and quiet to feel comfortable. The bear enclosure at Frankfurt Zoo is located directly on the zoo's outer wall and is directly exposed to noise from the street. The zoo has therefore decided to keep spectacled bears - a charismatic bear species, with an ambassadorial function for Manu National Park.

WHY ARE THERE NO DOLPHINS at the zoo?

Unfortunately, every zoo has to do without certain animal species, because it is not possible to keep all species. At Frankfurt Zoo you can marvel at 4,000 animals in about 400 species. Dolphins are not among them, but you have the opportunity to observe penguins and seals above and below water in the seal cliffs.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO HOLD A BABY ANIMAL IN YOUR ARMS AT THE ZOO?

The animals at Frankfurt Zoo live in their natural family groups and we are pleased that practically all animal mothers raise their offspring themselves. Studies show that animals raised by humans have difficulty integrating back into the group of conspecifics and often have problems raising their own young later on. Therefore, the young animals are left with their mothers if possible and close contact with humans is avoided. It would also mean extreme stress for the young animals if they were repeatedly taken out of their familiar environment and held by strangers. Additionally, there is a high risk of injury from stressed infant animals.

DOES THE ZOO TAKE IN PETS, FOR EXAMPLE TURTLES, OR FOUND WILD ANIMALS?

Frankfurt Zoo cannot take in domestic or wild animals. We do not have the capacity to care for them. Wild animals are also always potential carriers of disease and cannot be accepted. Even the animals used as food are subject to strict hygiene and safety regulations and are only purchased from special breeders. Not everyone accepts this: birds are simply abandoned in the Free Flight Hall or turtles in the Great Pond. These domesticated animals are exposed to a hostile environment and often perish miserably before they can be caught.

WHY IS IT SOMETIMES SO DARK IN THE GRZIMEK HOUSE?

In the Grzimek House, nocturnal animals are shown during their period of activity - namely during the night. For this purpose, the day/night rhythm of the animals has been carefully rearranged. Because it is dark at night, the enclosures must also be relatively dark. If the visitor paths were brighter than the enclosure lighting, the enclosures would look like dark holes and we would not be able to see anything within them.

However, the human eye can adapt to the darkness in about 10 - 15 minutes. Take advantage of the information offered and study the animal life in the enclosures in the entrance area. During this time your eyes will already be adapting to the twilight. You will be amazed at what you can now suddenly discover in the night section of the Grzimek House.

WHY IS THE WATER IN THE SEAL POOL NOT ALWAYS CRYSTAL CLEAR?

On hot summer days, the water is often murky with algae, even though the pools are attached to a filter system which is regularly cleaned. The development of algae is normal and could only be slowed down by using chemicals. However, the zoo does not want its seals to swim in chemically treated water because this can easily cause health problems. . We also avoid using chemicals to protect the natural wildlife living in the zoo

WHY IS THE HIPPO POOL SO SMALL?

The rhino house with the hippo pool is one of the original remaining zoo buildings with bathroom architecture. We are gradually replacing these animal houses with new modern ones. Our hippopotamus PETRA and rhinoceros KALUSHO still feel comfortable.
In the wild, Hippos prefer to stay in large groups, densely packed in river areas with the right water depth. Such areas are rare, because the hippos want to be able to stand, but also be so far under water that only their eyes look out. The small pool with the narrow border simulates this situation.

IS THERE A CIRCULAR ROUTE THROUGH FRANKFURT ZOO?

Frankfurt Zoo is small enough in area to do without a prescribed circular route. The enclosure logos on the zoo map and the signposts in Frankfurt Zoo will help you find your way.

IS THERE FREE ZOO ADMISSION FOR BIRTHDAY CHILDREN?

No, birthday children do not have free zoo admission.

IS THERE A DISCOUNT FOR UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE?

There is no general discount for the unemployed, but Frankfurt Pass holders receive a significant discount when presenting their pass.

ARE THERE DISABLED TOILETS AT THE ZOO?

There are several signposted disabled toilets in the zoo, you can get the key at the zoo ticket office.

ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS?

Unfortunately, the reptile section on the first floor of the Exotarium remains inaccessible to wheelchair users. The Exotarium was built more than 130 years ago and therefore has no lift. All other areas of the zoo have barrier-free or limited barrier-free access.