Leipzig Zoo

Gondwanaland is a massive, 2.7-hectare indoor tropical hall that allows visitors to walk through replica landscapes of Asia, Africa, and South America. It features free-roaming animals, waterfalls, and a boat ride along a jungle river. The biome maintains a humid tropical climate year-round to support its diverse plant and animal life.

The zoo was founded in 1878 by Ernst Pinkert, making it one of the oldest zoological gardens in Germany. Originally established as a tavern with a small private animal collection, it quickly expanded into a major public attraction. It was heavily damaged during World War II but was rebuilt in the following decades.

Pongoland is an internationally renowned primate facility within the zoo, operated in cooperation with the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. It houses all four species of great apes: chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, and orangutans. Researchers actively study the cognitive and social behaviors of these apes in environments designed to mimic their natural habitats.

The zoo is famous for its "Zoo of the Future" concept, which organizes animal enclosures into six distinct biomes, or "theme worlds." These include areas like Founders' Garden, Gondwanaland, and Pongoland, designed to immerse visitors in natural ecosystems rather than taxonomic groupings. This architectural approach minimizes visible barriers and prioritizes animal welfare.