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Wildlife, History, and Hours of Operation
Zoo
The wildlife park with its striking old trees is one of the most popular leisure activities.
Zoo
Discover the 112-hectare recreational forest and see fallow deer, wild boars, roe deer, and other wildlife in a forest that has developed over the course of history.
Hanover Zoo: 112 hectares of recreational forest
The Hanover Zoo covers 112 hectares and attracts numerous visitors year-round with its wildlife. In addition to fallow deer, the park is now home primarily to wild boars and roe deer. Since 1997, the former wild horse enclosure has also been home to 10 to 20 red deer. In 2022, a small herd of mouflon moved into the park.
Numerous bird species and rare bats also call the Tiergarten home. During your visit, discover the interplay between wildlife and the park’s old-growth trees.
Fallow deer continue to shape the zoo to this day
The history of the Tiergarten dates back to the 17th century. Duke Johann Friedrich had it laid out in 1678–79 for royal hunting. At that time, 120 fallow deer were released there.
The first royal hunt took place in 1680. However, Duke Johann Friedrich did not live to see it: he had died a year earlier while traveling in Italy.
The Tiergarten has been open to the public since 1799. The fallow deer population has remained stable to this day.
Historical Forest Management Practices and Old-Growth Forests
From the very beginning, hunting, wildlife, historical silvicultural practices, and forest aesthetics have been the focus of the Tiergarten. Historical silvicultural practices include pasture forests and the Schneitel method. Unlike in many other forests, the focus here was not solely on timber production aimed at maximizing yield.
This has allowed old-growth forests to develop. Today, they play a crucial role in enabling you to experience forest scenery of rare beauty and expressiveness in the Tiergarten.
What animals live at the Hanover Zoo?
Today, the Hannover Zoo is home primarily to:
- Fallow deer
- Wild boars
- Deer
- 10 to 20 red deer
- a small herd of mouflon
- numerous bird species
- rare bats
Red deer have lived in the former wild horse enclosure since 1997. The small herd of mouflon moved in in 2022.
Zoo Festival for Children and Families
A special highlight for children and families is the Zoo Festival. It takes place every year on the second weekend in October.
With this celebration, the forestry operation thanks the children for collecting acorns and chestnuts. These are fed to the animals in the winter.
Hanover Zoo Hours
The zoo is open to visitors daily from 7 a.m. until dark.
From early November through mid-December, the zoo opens at 12:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. On Thursdays, Fridays, and weekends, the regular hours are from 7:00 a.m. until dark.
