Map: https://i0.wp.com/tierpark-essehof.de/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Faltblatt_Tierpark-Essehof_LAGEPLAN-aktuell.jpg?ssl=1 The Tierpark Essehof near Braunschweg is a really small park, which is designed especially for children and families. One can purchase feed for the animals in the form of pellets. You enter the zoo through a small entrance, which is directly connected to the zoo restaurant. On the right is the restaurant mentioned and on the left is a large area with various play options and small rides for children. The tour begins with a small enclosure for meerkats directly under the restaurant terrace. Then you will find a beautiful overgrown area with various ponds, streams and meadows. Here are exhibits for raccoons, nutrias, flamingos and various waterfowl. The raccoons were very active during our visit and some of them wanted to be close to the zoo visitors because they were obviously expecting food. The nutria enclosure was right next to the raccoons. However, these could move freely, which is why they could also be seen in other places in the zoo. They obviously enjoyed this freedom, since many young animals could be seen. The flamingos inhabit a large pond where they searched for food. In a back corner of this area there is also a suspension bridge and possibly some kind of underwater view or something similar, which we could not use due to Corona. In addition, there was a large enclosure for various waterfowl in the center. If you follow the path further, you will come to an enclosure for alpacas and rheas, which you can always look into between some beautiful beds and bushes. Their enclosure is very spacious but at the same time very sandy and not particularly nice designed. Next you come to a more open place with a better view of the enclosure and a small petting zoo follows. Pygmy goats and peacocks live here (the peacocks can move freely). There is also a walk-in barn for the animals, which also serves as a stable for maras. Their enclosure is on the other side of the barn, were we saw the three animals relaxing. If you now go around a curve, past some guinea pigs, you go towards the Africa and Australia facilities. On the left side there is a small empty pen with a small pond, which connects to the stables of the Watussi cattle. In this barn we could see a marabou in one of the boxes, which may also be able to use the outdoor area of the cattle. The cattle had a rather small yard, limited by an electric fence, which had already been trampled to the ground. However, a new building with stables for these, zebras and meerkats is being built in the background, which is why it can be assumed that the animals usually have more space available. On the left is a very nice green meadow for emus and wallabies. At the edge is a small hill which climbs right up against the wall of Australia House. The house serves as a stable for the emus and wallabies and also acts as an aviary for different parakeets and finches from Australia. It can be walked in so that you can stand in the midst of the lively birds and watch them fly and build their nests. Further down the path are the enclosures for zebras and dromedaries, which lived together when we visited, although this is probably not always the case. The animals can be fed and touched, just like the ponys, house donkeys and poitou donkeys next to them. At this place is also the former enclosure for ferrets, which is now inhabited by a large breed of guinea pigs. Next up you come to a small castle which serves as a playground for children and also as stables for chickens, pigeons and rabbits and also includes a retreat for the animals of the large walk-in exhibit. Passing the castle, you now go to the rear end of the zoo. There is a paddock for horses next to the entrance of the large walk-in exhibit. If you enter trough the gate, you will first find yourself on a large green meadow. At this point, however, we have not seen any animals, which is why we went on the path in the direction of a small forest. Now pot-bellied pigs and some sort of African looking cattle came towards us. In addition, we were able to discover a herd of fallow deer in a far corner of the forest, which also included some albinos. The animals were very friendly and obviously used to humans as they approached hoping for food. If you now leave the exhibit, the lynx enclosure is on the right-hand side and the monkey enclosures straight ahead. We first went to lynxes, which unfortunately could not be seen. The enclosure is not oversized, but compared to how lynx are kept in other zoos, it is quite nice. It has a drinking pond and a climbing opportunity in the middle. Next to this enclosure is the aviary for northern bald ibis and a very small walk-in house with two outdoor exhibits. These are for porcupines and again maras. On the zoo map, however, skunks were noted instead of maras. We then made our way past the lynx enclosure and the Australian meadow to the monkey house. It consists of three indoor enclosures, two of which are intended for Hamadryas Baboons and one for ring-tailed lemurs. Outside, a sort of conservatory with ferrets is attached to the house. Their enclosure was ideally set up for the animals, as there were plenty of places to hide and play. Of course we couldn't see any ferrets, as they are known to be sleeping most of the time. The baboons' enclosure is divided into two, with one side being designed more naturally with rocks and small ledges. The other side however is integrated into the adjoining playground, as it is surrounded by climbing frames and thus offers children different insight options (especially at different heights). A highlight of this enclosure are definitely the various options given to visitors to interact with the animals. For example, there is a seesaw that is half in the animals' enclosure and half is outside for visitors. A halved car is also available. A male baboon sat on the driver's side and visitors could get in and give him food via some kind of lazy susan (hard to describe). However, it became clear that the monkey was speculating on food that the visitors had brought with them from home, as the zoo food was not touched. Last but not least, there was an island for the ring-tailed lemurs, which they could reach via a tunnel that led through the playground. It was beautifully overgrown with real trees and a path led all the way around. From there we went past the Australia House back to the entrance. Conclusion: The Tierpark Essehof is a very nice little park, but it mostly displays common animals. Nevertheless, it is particularly suitable for families and children if you want to spend 1-2 hours in nature.
Essehof Zoo is a 10 hectare zoo opened in 1968. It has about 50 species of wild animals and rare domestic breeds. Alexandra Popp balanced her football career with a 3-year apprenticeship to become a zookeeper there. She is currently Germany's star striker.
