Berlin Zoo has reopened after a two-week closure due to a foot and mouth disease outbreak with some areas of the attraction remaining off-limits due to safety precautions

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 27 Jan 2025

Visitors can again see Berlin Zoo’s famous pandas Credit: Zoo Berlin
Berlin Zoo has officially reopened its doors to the public following a two-week closure as the result of a foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak.
The German zoo had been temporarily closed on January 11th after an FMD outbreak was detected in a buffalo herd in the town of Hönow, which is close to Berlin.
While many of the zoo’s popular attractions are now accessible, certain precautionary measures remain in place to ensure the safety of both visitors and animals.
Since January 24th, the zoo's visitors have been able to see star attractions, such as the young pygmy hippo Toni, as well as the zoo’s star panda twins, Leni and Lotti. Other areas to reopen include the rhino pavilion, predator enclosures, bird cages, and the aquarium.
To minimise the risk of FMD transmission, some areas of the zoo remain off-limits in the short-term. These include the petting zoo, home to sheep and goats, as well as enclosures containing reindeer and water buffalo, all of which are susceptible to the virus. Additionally, some sections of the zoo have implemented social distancing measures to reduce the potential for cross-contamination.
The zoo has also issued a warning to certain visitors. People who have had contact with livestock - such as cattle, sheep, goats, or pigs - within the last 10 days, or who have visited the affected FMD area in Hönow have been advised to postpone their visit for safety reasons.
As the zoo gradually returns to normal operations, its management has emphasised its commitment to maintaining the highest health and safety standards to both its animals and its guests.
“The protection of the animals remains the top priority,” said the zoo. “Areas with close contact to susceptible animal species, such as water buffalo, reindeer, bison, as well as the petting zoo with sheep and goats, will remain closed as a precaution. In other areas, social distancing rules will apply to further minimise risks. Despite the measures in place, zoo visitors can look forward to many highlights: the Panda Garden, Hippo Bay, Rhino Pagoda, Empire of Cats, World of Birds, both playgrounds, and the Aquarium will remain open.”
The adjacent Tierpark - Berlin’s other zoo - remains closed, and authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
“Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has been detected in cattle on the eastern border of Berlin in Brandenburg,” said a Tierpark statement. “This is a viral disease that is dangerous for cloven-hoofed animals and is classified as a notifiable animal disease. Closure is therefore the most important preventive measure - agreed with the Lichtenberg district office.”
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