After a fire in the monkey house: Krefeld Zoo is planning a species-appropriate monkey park

After the fire in the monkey house on New Year 2020, the zoo in Krefeld continues to keep gorillas and chimpanzees.

Krefeld – After the fire in the monkey house on New Year 2020, the zoo in Krefeld continues to keep gorillas and chimpanzees. The first section of the Affenpark species protection center, the enlarged gorilla outdoor area, could be completed in 2022, the zoo announced on Wednesday. About 50 animals died in the major fire, including eight great apes. In the future, the monkeys should have more space.

Krefeld’s Lord Mayor Frank Meyer (SPD) recalled the “unbelievable wave of solidarity” after the night of the fire. “Zoo, city administration, politics and citizens quickly agreed: We are building a new home for the monkeys – more beautiful, more modern and more appropriate to the species than ever before,” he said, according to a statement. The city council has yet to agree.

The cost is 28 million euros. The city should take over the majority. Zoo and Zoofreunde Krefeld want to contribute more than 10 million euros through insurance, own funds and donations. The fire set off by a sky lantern had caused widespread sadness and dismay. More than 2 million euros were donated.

Gradually, the monkey park is to be built. First of all, the outdoor enclosure of the gorilla facility is to be expanded by 2022, so that the currently six-person group with silverback Kidogo can grow. An ape house could be built by 2023, housing the new group around the survivors of the fire, the chimpanzees Bally and Limbo. In addition, the “bachelor group” of gorillas is to be held here.

A facility for orangutans is to be built on an expansion area by 2026. Five orangutans in the zoo had died in the fire. A house with an outdoor enclosure for the growing group of chimpanzees should be ready by 2029. (dpa)