Berlin Zoo Rhinoceros Pagoda

A piece of India in Berlin: The Indian rhinoceros will receive a new home in the Berlin Zoo. In the future, they will inhabit an Indian pagoda and exotic, marshy landscape together with warty pigs and tapirs. The reconstruction of the rhinoceros enclosure conforms to modern animal welfare principles. A mixed-species exhibit will be built, which presents the animals in their natural habitats and gives the visitors an understanding of an entire ecosystem. The tower will be colored in traditional Indian red tones and stands as exotic monument for species protection. The dan pearlman experience architecture is creating the master planning for the rhinoceros enclosure. Before, the team has already designed the master plan for the panda enclosure at Berlin zoo.

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In the year of its 175thanniversary, the Berlin Zoo presents a monument to species protection. The pagoda offers the optimum space to inform visitors about wildlife conservation. As a landmark of endangered species, the pagoda is part of the rhinoceros exhibition house which is accessible for visitors. Due to the special architecture of the planned building, future visitors will find themselves amid animals. Here, they can take a glimpse into the rhinoceros exercise pens and watch them wallow in the mud, under the rhinoceros shower or on the training wall. The planned water basin, which allows visitors to see the underwater world of the animals, turns the rhinoceros enclosure into an extraordinary leisure destination. In the interior area, the rhinoceros and warty pigs will inhabit an enclosure with natural flooring. The tapirs will be housed in an adjoined enclosure for the animals to be close together. Furthermore, the entire interior of the rotunda will be covered by an EFTE foil roof, which is UV-permeable. In this way, the animals that like the warmth will encounter generous free-range areas with enough daylight. The pagoda will be surrounded by pristinely designed outdoor areas. High grass and idyllic streams in the shade of the zoo trees are designed to recreate the marshy habitat of the animals. Simultaneously, the area of the enclosure will be expanded. The visitors receive fascinating insights into the habitat through panoramic windows. In the interior areas as well as the outside areas, the animals are provided with a variety of behaviorally and environmentally enriching activities. These are built to foster their daily well-being. The mixed-species exhibit housing rhinoceros and warty pigs ensures further variations in activities. The impressive new construction will be built between the entrance Löwentor, the hippopotamus building and the petting zoo “Hans im Glück”. The first demolition works will take place as early as the end of 2019. Next year, the construction of the rhinoceros pagoda is going to start.

Lisa Hesse 24th June 2019