An elephant stands in a green forest, its trunk is raised and its tusks are visible.

Elephant park at Münster Zoo

Experience our exemplary elephant park at Münster Zoo: a milestone in species-appropriate animal husbandry.

New habitat: the elephant park at Münster Zoo

Spacious retreat: The elephant park as an oasis

The elephant park at Münster Zoo, which opened in June 2013, is a prime example of the endeavour to improve the quality of life of zoo elephants. By expanding the open space to 5,000 square metres, the elephants can now let off steam in an area that is more than three times the size of their old habitat. This progress marks a significant step towards a more animal-friendly environment.

A single elephant stands on sandy ground within an enclosure with natural vegetation in the background.
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Sustainable habitat design: insights into the elephant park

Commitment to biodiversity: more than just a habitat

The careful planning of the elephant park went beyond expanding the area. A new bull house with three stables and a bathing pool for the animals emphasise the commitment to species-appropriate animal husbandry. The remodelling of the adjacent area not only enhances the elephants' welfare, but also enriches the visitor experience. The plants for this project were supplied by Winkendick GmbH, whose expertise in aesthetic plant design comes into play.

A herd of elephants wades through a waterhole surrounded by green vegetation.
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Would you have known?

A remarkable feature of elephants is their long, flexible trunk, which contains over 100,000 muscles. The trunk serves many purposes, such as breathing, smelling, grasping objects, and as an instrument for drinking. Elephants are also known for their memory - they can memorise places and other elephants for years.

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