German zoos on high alert: Specialized care for animals amid severe winter storms
German zoos have deployed emergency welfare protocols as heavy snowfall and temperatures as low as -17°C grip the country.
From specialized clothing to infrared heating, institutions are fighting to keep vulnerable species safe during the current cold wave.
Emergency measures in Saxony and Frankfurt
In the small Zittau Zoo in Saxony, keepers equipped Bella the donkey with a custom-made winter coat to withstand the sub-zero conditions. Staff also treated camel enclosures to prevent slips on ice and installed infrared heaters for the sheep flock, according to DW.
At the Frankfurt am Main Zoo, keepers observed meerkats clinging to indoor radiators. Experts explain that these small mammals are physically unable to survive without consistent external heat sources.
Public safety and animal resilience
Hamburg authorities took more drastic steps by temporarily closing the city's zoo to the public. The closure ensures safety while preventing visitors from seeing flamingos and zebras in deep snow.
However, not all animals are retreating from the frost. A spokesperson for the Cologne Zoo noted that species like Siberian tigers are biologically adapted to arctic conditions and regulate their body temperatures with ease.
Pandas and elephants in Berlin
In the capital, Berlin’s two zoos report that most residents are faring well. Twin panda cubs Leni and Lotti experienced their first snowfall this week, frolicking in the drifts—a behavior natural to their mountain-dwelling ancestors.
In contrast, the elephants remain cautious. While the massive mammals show curiosity toward the white landscape, they only venture into outdoor paddocks for brief intervals to avoid the risk of freezing.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
