Zoo Berlin
Tiger Refuge

Amid dense bamboo and gently flowing streams, a new jungle landscape has been created at Zoo Berlin, offering the Sumatran tigers—male Banyu (2) and female Luise (3)—a diverse habitat with shaded retreats. Replacing the former tiger enclosure in the “Realm of Predators,” a modern habitat has been developed over the past two years on the site of the former wading bird meadows. It meets the specific needs of agile big cats while providing visitors with impressive insights into the lives of these fascinating animals.

Environmental & Behavioral Enrichment
The two outdoor enclosures feature a wide variety of structures, including water basins, a flowing stream, a small waterfall, heated resting areas, as well as scratching and climbing trees—ensuring species-appropriate animal welfare. At the same time, visitor safety remains a top priority: the entire tiger area is covered by a 2,500-square-meter net made of more than 60 kilometers of stainless steel wire. Seven double arches support the structure. The longest steel arch measures 25 meters, has a diameter of 25 cm, and weighs eight tons. Beneath the surface, the construction is equally complex: to ensure long-term stability in Berlin’s soft ground, the arches are anchored on concrete micropiles reaching depths of up to 14 meters.

Net Structure as a Design Highlight
With the new net structure at the predator house, Zoo Berlin gains a striking new landmark. It expands the living space for the tigers while reinforcing the zoo’s commitment to modern, species-appropriate habitats. The tiger refuge was engineered by schlaich bergermann partner. As landscape architects, they collaborated with the experience architects of dan pearlman on the concept and realization of the net structure.

Endangered Big Cats
Sumatran tigers live exclusively on the Indonesian island of Sumatra and, with only around 400 to 600 individuals remaining in the wild, are among the most endangered big cats on Earth. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, they are classified as “critically endangered.” In addition to habitat loss and poaching, threats such as population growth, declining prey, climate change, disease, and political instability are increasingly endangering their survival. “Especially for highly endangered species like the Sumatran tiger, it is essential that zoological institutions worldwide collaborate and take responsibility for the biodiversity loss caused by humans,” explains Andreas Knieriem, Director of Zoo and Tierpark Berlin. “Zoos are an indispensable pillar in the protection of biodiversity.”

International Conservation Efforts
Global conservation programs play a crucial role in protecting big cats. With consistent implementation of realistic conservation measures, tiger populations could recover significantly over the next 100 years and return to suitable habitats. Zoo Berlin is actively engaged in protecting tigers in their natural environment in partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature. “Tigers roam across many countries in Asia, beyond political borders. Their protection can only succeed through international cooperation and a shared goal: preserving this remarkable species for the long term,” says Christian Kern, Zoological Director of Zoo and Tierpark Berlin. One of the key pillars for conservation is the Global Species Management Plan (GSMP), which coordinates regional breeding programs such as the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) on a global scale to ensure the long-term survival of the species.

Hope for the Next Generation
In their new tiger refuge, Banyu and Luise are expected to contribute to the preservation of the Sumatran tiger and continue Berlin’s important role in international conservation breeding. Notably, more than 150 Sumatran tigers have been born in Berlin over the past 70 years—a success story the zoo aims to continue with its new tiger pair

Information & images: © Zoo Berlin