Tierpark Berlin opened in 1955 in the Friedrichsfelde district of East Berlin, created as the divided city’s eastern counterpart to the Berlin Zoological Garden in the west. Built around the grounds of the 17th-century Friedrichsfelde Palace, the park was laid out using landscaping traditions dating back to designer Peter Joseph Lenné.
Today Tierpark Berlin is recognized as the largest zoo in Europe by land area, spreading across roughly 160 hectares (about 400 acres). It houses several thousand animals representing hundreds of species, and it has become especially known for its long-running elephant breeding program and its extensive collection of hoofed mammals.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Friedrichsfelde, Berlin, Germany
- Opened: 1955
- Size: About 160 hectares (400 acres)
- Species: About 626 species (as of late 2024)
- Animal Count: About 8,500 animals
- Annual Visitors: Over 1 million
- Famous for: Elephant breeding program and Europe’s largest zoo by area
A Zoo Built for a Divided City
Tierpark Berlin’s origins trace directly to the division of Berlin after World War II. When East Berlin found itself cut off from the existing Berlin Zoological Garden in the west, city planners established a new zoo on the historic grounds of Friedrichsfelde Palace, a baroque estate dating to the late 17th century. The palace still stands at the center of the park today, giving the grounds a layered sense of history that most modern zoos lack.
Because the site was so much larger than the cramped, war-damaged Berlin Zoo grounds, Tierpark Berlin was able to expand into sweeping landscaped enclosures rather than the denser, more traditional zoo layout found across town. That extra space is a big part of why it eventually grew into the largest zoo in Europe by area.
Animals and Conservation Work
The park’s collection spans mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates, with a particular reputation for its diverse hoofed mammal collection, one of the most extensive in Europe. Its elephant breeding program has been a long-standing highlight for visitors and a point of pride for the park’s conservation staff.
Tierpark Berlin also participates in numerous international breeding programs and studbooks aimed at supporting endangered species, working alongside institutions across Europe to help maintain genetically healthy populations of animals under human care.
Explore more: Explore more Zoos & Aquariums.
Tierpark Berlin FAQs
Is Tierpark Berlin the same as Berlin Zoo?
No. Tierpark Berlin and the Berlin Zoological Garden (Zoo Berlin) are two separate zoos in the city. Tierpark Berlin was built in the eastern Friedrichsfelde district in 1955 during Berlin’s division, while Zoo Berlin, founded in 1844, is located in the western city center.
How big is Tierpark Berlin?
Tierpark Berlin covers about 160 hectares (roughly 400 acres), making it the largest zoo in Europe by land area.
How many species does Tierpark Berlin have?
As of late 2024, Tierpark Berlin was home to about 626 animal species and roughly 8,500 individual animals, according to figures reported by the park.
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Photo: Agadez / CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.