Berlin Zoo in Germany

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Berlin Zoo
The elephant gate
The elephant gate
Typezoo
Founded1844
First elephant arrived1857
Address Hardenbergplatz 8 and Budapester Strasse 34
Place Berlin
StateBerlin-Brandenburg
Country Germany
Website Website
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Related persons
Owner
Directors 2014-now: Andreas Knieriem
2007-2014: Bernhard Blaszkiewitz
2003-2007: Jürgen Lange
1991-2002: Hans Frädrich
1956-1991: Heinz-Georg Klös
1945-1956: Katharina Heinroth
1932-1945: Lutz Heck
1888-1931: Ludwig Heck
1885-1888: Max Schmidt
1869-1884: Heinrich Bodinus
1857-1869: Hartwig Peters
1844-1857: Hinrich Lichtenstein
Assistant Directors 1939-1945: Wilhelm Windecker
Key People 2013-2014: Tina Risch (curator)
Zoological department
Directors -: Lothar Schlawe
(zoologist)
Head Zookeeper 1902-1962: Heinrich Schwarz
-1987: Elisabeth Johst
Zookeeper -1879: unknown Goss
-: Max Preuss
Elephant department
Elephant managementFree Contact, since since 1857
Head keepers
of elephants
1974-1988: Gunther Goncz
1963-1974: Robert Jung
-1963: Günther Lenz
1923-1941: Karl Preuss
-1873: Unknown Pechler
1989-: Rüdiger Pankow
1873: Unknown Brauer
Elephant keepers
1980-: Rolf Becker
-1883: Heinrich Krüger
-1881: Adolf Marschall
-1867: Unknown Schmidt
-: Clemens Reckmann
-1989: Rüdiger Pankow
-1974: Gunther Goncz
-1963: Robert Jung
-1873: Unknown Brauer
: Georg Johst
: Günther Lenz
Record history
History of updates2025-03-20: casualties 2025-11-10: text updated
Latest document update2025-11-14 06:54:47
Google map
Description

Berlin Zoo, located at Hardenbergplatz 8 and Budapester Strasse 34, in Berlin, Berlin-Brandenburg, Germany , was founded in 1844 and the first elephant arrived in 1857

Berlin Zoo elephants are managed in Free Contact since 1857.

Living elephants

At the Berlin Zoo lives 4 elephants with records in this database: (detail list)
  1. ♀ Anchali born 2012-08-12
  2. ♀ Carla born 1973-00-00
  3. ♀ Drumbo (Mary) born 1970-00-00
  4. ♀ Pang Pha born 1987-03-01

Taxidermy specimens

Berlin Zoo has in its collection 2 elephantine museum specimens with records in this database:

(Measurements of teeth and body parts follow the system described by Maglio (1973; P = plate number, L = length, W = width, H = height, LF = lamellar frequency)

Jenny Accession nr: . Received: ♀ Jenny
Species: African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana)
* Born 1865 at Sudan unspecified location † Dead 1882-11-28 at Berlin Zoo
Death: unknown Death reason: unknown (N/A)


Boy Accession nr: . Received: ♂ Boy
Species: Asian elephant (Elephas maximus)
* Born 1847 at Unknown † Dead 1879-07-18 at Berlin Zoo
Death: euthanised Death reason:

Casualties

10 casualties
  1. 1867-02-03: elephant keeper Unknown Schmidt fatal attack by Boy. † Unknown Schmidt Died 1867-02-03
  2. 1872-06: visitor Max Sack fatal attack by Boy. Boy pushed the visitor Berlin Judiciary Max Sack into iron bars. † Max Sack Died 1872-09-02, Berlin hospital. Sack suffered a collarbone fracture and died from the injuries in 1872-09-02.
  3. 1873-12-02: elephant head-keeper Unknown Pechler fatal attack by Boy. Attacked by Boy when he wanted to fetch a broom from the stable. Boy pushed him into the stable wall, and killed him. † Unknown Pechler Died 1873-12-02, Berlin Zoo, Berlin.
  4. 1879-03: zookeeper unknown Goss fatal attack by Rostom (Rustum). At Easter 1879, Rostom trampled on Mr Goss, the 72-year-old parrot keeper. † unknown Goss Died 1879-04
  5. 1881-05-03: elephant keeper Adolf Marschall attacked by Omar. Marschall was removing the saddle from Omar, after ride operations, when Omar attacked him, pushed him and tusked him. Adolf Marschall Survived. Severe injuries in right side of the breast, and brought to hospital.
  6. 1883-01-28: elephant keeper Heinrich Krüger fatal attack by Rostom (Rustum). Rostom killed the zookeeper Heinrich Krüger, who were cleaning the stable, and walked over Rostom's hay. Rostom pushed him with his right tusk (he didn't have a left tusk) into a stable wall and squeezed him. † Heinrich Krüger Died 1883-01-28
  7. 1941: elephant keeper Karl Preuss attacked by Wastl. Attacked elephant head-keeper Preuss. Karl Preuss Survived. Preuss suffered severe injuries. Wastl died in 1943-11-22 during bombings of Berlin.
  8. 1963-08-05: elephant keeper Günther Lenz fatal attack by Salim (Salem). grabbed Lenz with his trunk, three times he smashed the man against the wall, then rolled him on the floor, while tusking him. † Günther Lenz Died 1963-08-05, Berlin Zoo, Berlin. Keeper Robert Jung poked Salim with an iron rod, while a visitor jumped over the mot, and dragged Lenz away, but Lenz was already dead.
  9. 1980: elephant keeper Rolf Becker attacked by Tanja. Saved by collegues who came and removed the elephant. Rolf Becker Survived.
  10. 1996-01-03: elephant keeper Clemens Reckmann attacked by Lakshmi. Clemens Reckmann Survived. severe injures. Lakshmi was dead shortly afterwards.

Comments / pictures1844: Berlin Zoological Garden is the oldest Zoo in Germany, opened 1844 with Hinrich Lichtenstein as director until 1857.

1852: a shipment with animals from Africa arrived, delivered by the zoologist Alfred Brehm to Triste upon his return from an expedition to Africa, and brought to Berln by zoo keeper Hartstack.

1856: 804 animals in the Zoo.

1857: Hartwig Peters became director (until 1869) and the first Asian elephant bull Boy was bought 1857 for 2 500 Taler from Menagerie Liphard. In 1867 Boy killed his keeper Schmidt, but Boy lived in the Zoo until 1879. 1 elephant by the end of 1857.

1860: The first real elephant house was erected for 5.800 Taler by Architect Heiter.

1862: A "white" female Asian elephant from Thailand with the name Robert was gifted by crown Princess Victoria, married to Prince Frederick of Prussia and mother of Wilhelm II, the last German Emperor. 2 elephants by the end of 1862; Boy and Robert.

1867: The elephant Robert died 1867-08, 5 years after arrival. 1 elephants by the end of 1867.

1868: The first African elephant arrived, by the name Jenny, who died 1882. 2 elephants by the end of 1868; Boy and Jenny.

1869: Heinrich Bodinus became new director, until 1884.

1873: A new elephant house, the "Elefantenpagode" was erected by architects Ende & Böckmann for 330.000 Mark.

1878: Visit from The Nubian Caravan organized by Hagenbecks presenting Nubian dancers, elephants and rhinos.

1879: Boy was killed 1879-07-18, 22 years after arrival. It seems at least 2 African elephants were bought from The Nubian Caravan after the tour finished in Hamburg, and was delivered from Carl Hagenbecks Tierpark (Neue Pferdemarkt) to Berlin Zoo in 1879. 3 elephants by the end of 1879; Jenny and 2 Africans.

1881: The two Asian bulls Omar and Rostom (Rustum) arrived 1881-04-18 from London Zoo, as gift from king Edward VII of England. One of the Africans died. 4 elephants by the end of 1881; Jenny, Omar, Rostom and 1 African.

1882: Jenny, died 1882-11-28, 14 years after arrival.3 elephants by the end of 1882; Omar, Rostom and 1 Africans.

1885: Dr Max Schmidt replaced Heinrich Bodinus as Director, but Schmidt himself died 1888.

1888: Geheimrat Dr Ludwig Heck replaced Max Schmidt as Director. 2 elephants arrived; A female Asian with unknown name arrived 1888-05-12 from Carl Hagenbecks Tierpark (Neue Pferdemarkt), she died 1892. A second female, Mary arrived 1888-09-17 also from Hagenbecks, she died 1924-02-02, 36 years after arrival.

1892: Female Asian with unknown name died 4 years after arrival. Rostom died 1892, 11 years after arrival.

1895: Asian female with unknown name arrived, and died 1898, 3 years after arrival.

1898: Asian female with unknown name died, 3 years after arrival.

1899: Erection of the elephant gate. Male forest elephant with unknown name arrived from German colonial officer and commander of the Jaunde military station in Camerun, Hans Dominik, but died 1907-05-11, 8 years after arrival.

Berlin Zoo in Germany GermanyThe elephant gate was built 1899.

1903: Omar died 1903, 22 years after arrival.

1905: Two Asians, bull and cow: Kalifa (Toni) and Harry arrived 1905-06-08 from Carl Hagenbecks Tierpark (Stellingen). Kalifa died 1909-07-29, 4 years after arrival.

1906: The elephant Editha was born 1906-12-18 , conceived between February and April 1905 in Hagenbecks Tierpark, Hamburg, daughter of Harry and Kalifa (Toni), but the mother rejected her baby and Editha had to be milk fed, as one of the very first documented attempts of Handrearing an elephant baby.

1907: The Handrearing of Editha was unsuccesful and she died 1907-01-12. Male forest elephant with unknown name died 1907-05-11, 8 years after arrival.

1909: Kalifa died 1909-07-29, 4 years after arrival.

1912: The African forest elephant Kribi arrived from West Africa, who died 1919, 7 years after arrival.

1914: another forest elephant with unknown name arrived 1914-07-28 from Firma Ruhe, but died 1917-06-23, 3 years after arrival.

1917: forest elephant with unknown name died 1917-06-23, 3 years after arrival.

1919: Kribi died 1919, 7 years after arrival.

1923: Karl Preuss was hired as head elephant keeper, and moved in to an apartment in the "Elefantenpagoda" with his family

1924: Mary died 1924-02-02, 36 years after arrival. Also the African elephant Carl arrived from Firma Ruhe. Carl died 1935, 11 years after arrival.

1925: Female Asian elephant Toni II (Mary) arrived from Carl Hagenbecks Tierpark (Stellingen). The Director Ludwig Heck went on an African expedition to Abbesina (present Ethiopia) and returned with almost 2 000 animals.

Ca 1925: Asian elephant bull Harry attacked, and maybe a killed a keeper? After this he was isolated in Off-hand management.

1926: The African forest elephant Mampe arrived from Carl Hagenbecks Tierpark (Stellingen). Mampe died 1933-11-11, 7 years after arrival.

1928: The elephant Kalifa II was born 1928-09-20, daughter of Harry and Toni II (Mary). Kalifa II died 1939, 11 years after arrival.

1930: The elephant enclosure was redesigned with a dry Moat, without any bars.

Berlin Zoo in Germany Germany
The elephant Pagoda in 1930 (erected 1873), in the background Harry in the bull enlcosure


Berlin Zoo in Germany Germany
"Elefantenpagoda, with Harry, 1930.

1932: Lutz Heck replaced his father Ludwig Heck as Director. Female Asian elephants Rannie (Rannich?) (unknown death date) and Toni III arrived 1932-05-24 from Munich Zoo. Toni III died 1943-11-22, 11 years after arrival, during bombings of the Zoo.

Berlin Zoo in Germany Germany
Claimed to be "Rannich" and "Omar", but older Omar died 1903 and the younger Omar is not known to have stayed in Berlin, and he used to have long Tusks. ..

1933: Asian bull Siam arrived from Circus Krone. Siam is the only elephant who survived the 1943 bombings of the Zoo, he died 1947 in Enteritis.

1934: Asian female Taku arrived from Carl Hagenbecks Tierpark (Stellingen). Taku died 1938, 4 years after arrival.

1935: Asian females Aida. Korat and African female Lindi arrived unknown date and origin, Aida arrived 1935-04-12 from Hannover Zoo pregnant, sired by Omar in Hannover. Korat died 1938-07-00, 3 years after arrival, Lindi died 1943-11-22, 8 years after arrival) when the elephant house was bombed.

1936: Asian male Orje was born 1936-04-08, son of Aida and Omar in Hannover Zoo. Orje died 1938-09-12, 2 years after arrival), in infection disease, possibly an early case of herpes virus. This year, unknown date, Asian female Birma arrived from Carl Hagenbecks Tierpark (Stellingen). Birma died 1943-11-22, 7 years after arrival) when the elephant house was bombed.

1938: Asian bull Wastl arrived 1939-03-21 from Munich Zoo. Asian female Indra was born 1938-11-27, parents was Omar in Hannover Zoo and Jenny II who arrived pregnant in 1938? Asian female Taku II arrived unknown date 1938 from Warsaw Zoo. Taku II died 1943-11-22, 5 years after arrival, when elephant house was bombed

1939: Asian female Tuzinka arrived 1939-12-00 from Kaliningrad Zoo, and the destiny of this elephant is a question mark ?, since she has been claimed to die 1944, but she must have died before 1939 or relocated since she is not mentioned later. Before World war II, Berlin Zoo kept over 4 000 mammals, and over 1400 Species of birds. the elephant house "Elefantenpagode" included 4 hippos, 5 dwarf hippos, one black rhino and 9 elephants by the end of 1939: 1. Aida, 2. Birma, 3. Indra, 4. Jenny II, 5. Lindi, 6. Siam, 7. Taku II, 8. Toni III, 9. Wastl.

WW II


1941: Bombs fell on Berlin Zoo, an antelope was the only animal to die (Heck, 1952, 142-143).


Berlin Zoo in Germany Germany

Photo: Caroline Skene DHD Multimedia Gallery
1943: More bombs and between 1943 and 1944 about 750 animals from 250 Species was evacuated to Zoos in Breslau, Mülhausen, München, Posen, Prag and Vienna.

The elephants and many other animals in Berlin Zoo were killed by the air attacks of November 22 and 23, 1943, and the BBC at the time reported incorrectly that animals had escaped from the zoo during the bombardment and had been machine-gunned in the streets (Heck, 1952, 168) The famous old elephant house in pagod style was totally destroyed by bombings the 22 November 1943, when also 8 elephants died, and a young bull had to be shot because he went out in the zoo from the destructed stables. The 7 elephants who died of bombs were: 1. Aida, 2. Birma, 3. Indra, 4. Jenny II, 5. Lindi, 6. Taku II, 7. Toni III, and the elephant number 8. was Wastl who was shot by staff or German soldiers after he escaped the bombed stables.

According to reliable sources the young bull Siam was the only elephant who together with 91 other animals survived the 1943 bombings of the Zoo. 1 elephant by the end of 1843.

1944: Berlin Zoo became 100 years old, but no celebrations are mentioned. 1 elephant by the end of 1844, 1845, 1846.

Post WWII



1947: Siam died 1947 in Enteritis. During the next three years, Berlin Zoo had no elephants at all.

1950: the director Dr. Katharina Heinroth received the three year old Shanti, as a gift from Pandit Nehru and India. She had to be housed in the sebra stable until the new house was erected in 1955. 1 elephant by the end of 1950.

1987: Asian female Phang Pha arrived 1987-09-30 from Thailand.

Berlin Zoo in Germany GermanyPang Pha with head elephant keeper Rüdiger Pankow and unknown Mahout from Thailand in 1987.

The new elephant house was enlarged in the 90s and now has a pool and two bullboxes prepared for Protected Contact.

1999: The house was reconstructed 1999, and has now more space for the elephants, while the visitors area was reduced.

During the 90s breeding has once again been succesful in Berlin Zoo, although some elephants died due to Elephant endotheliotropic herpes virus.

2000: The Asian bull Plai Kiri was born 2000-04-05 as the first elephant born in Berlin Zoo in 62 years, with parents Kiba and Pang Pha but Kiri died 2000-12-28, from the disease Elephant endotheliotropic herpes virus.

Berlin Zoo in Germany GermanyHead elephant keeper Rüdiger Pankow with Kiri, born and dead in 2000.

Berlin Zoo in Germany GermanyAuthor of this website Dan Koehl visiting Berlin Zoo in 2018. Photo: Petra Prager, Berlin.

2025: 4 elephants by the end of 2025; ♀ Anchali born 2012-08-12 ♀ Carla born 1973-00-00 ♀ Drumbo (Mary) born 1970-00-00 ♀ Pang Pha born 1987-03-01.


References for records about Berlin Zoo

Recommended Citation

Koehl, Dan (2026). Berlin Zoo, Elephant Encyclopedia. Available online at https://www.elephant.se/location2.php?location_id=20. (archived at the Wayback machine)

Sources used for this article is among others:



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