Der REGENWALD - Ein neuartiges Tropenhaus im Kölner Zoo - ARA

Der REGENWALD - Ein neuartiges Tropenhaus im Kölner Zoo
Summary
The RAINFOREST is a new tropical house in the zoological garden of Cologne that shows birds,
but also mammals, reptils and insects of the tropical rain forests of Southeast Asia. Together with
ARA (Working Group on Rainforest and Biodiversity Conservation, Bielefeld) the zoo is
working on a new information concept that transmits the idea of environmental protection and
sustainable use to the visitors. In the RAINFOREST this consept is realised for the first time.
As education was involved from the very beginning the building concept goes together with the
educational idea. The visitors first immerse to the diversity of animals and plants with all senses.
Information on the animals and plants but also on cultural and sustainable aspects are presented
step by step. An exhibition room that shows the degradation of rainforests and protection
concepts is integrated in the visitors’ way through the house. Different examples of sustainable
use of natural resources show the visitors that they may do something on their own for the
protection of rainforests.
The idea of the new house is strongly connected with conservation activities of the Zoological
Garden of Cologne in Southeast Asia. Together with the building of the RAINFOREST the Zoo has
started an own project in Phong Nha – Ke Bang (Vietnam), that will not only protect a number of
species but contribute to a sustainable development of the area.
Zeitschrift des Kölner Zoo - 20 - Ausgabe 2.2000