European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 05, 1985, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Berlin Story and photos by Joe Mapother Bremerhaven Bureau already spread across More than 74 acres of downtown Berlin the City ton has plans to expand in sic by another 10 percent by 1987 to give its nearly 11,000 animals More breathing room. Money for the new exhibit area about $7.3 million was raised wholly from private donations according to or. Hans Frai Rich assistant 700 director. City residents have a history of supporting the zoo which is organized As a Public company with 99 percent of the Stock held by berliners said Fraedrich. The City government also is an important financial Backer he said. Thai support has helped the i44-Ynar-old zoo survive near annihilation during world War it and More recently the death of Tsen Tsen one of two Panda bears presented to the West German government by the people s Republic of China in 1980. Tsen Tsen succumbed to an unknown virus in 1984. The loss was particularly hard to Swallow because she  in her sexual prime said Fraedrich. It was hoped she would Bear offspring to augment the roughly one do in Panda bears in Western zoos throughout the world. Bao Bao the male Panda remains one of the main of attractions. But there Are Many stars in the of and adjacent aquarium. A 10 do $3.75 adult ticket allows a visitor to see both attractions. In order to help visitors see All that they can see the zoo administration turned tables on its nocturnal animals by setting up a darkened exhibit Hall. This allows visitors to watch the animals while they Are up and about. When the zoo closes at night the lights Are turned on. The nocturnal animals react to the Daylight and go to sleep. In each Cage the atmosphere is adjusted to its inhabitants and the Glass is thick enough to prevent visitors from disturbing the animals said Fraedrich. The african aardvark Southern flying Squirrel rom the United states and the egyptian flying Bat Scurry about within feet of each other in their acclimatized cages. In the aquarium the Crocodile room allows visitors to enter a steamy Jungle setting and peer Down at a Host of Toothy grins. High above the Bridge giant webbed spiders go about their business. They were put into the Crocodile exhibit to give them room to spin their giant webs Sard Fra Edrah. They do not venture Down to the Bridge he added. Upstairs in the insect exhibit Hall the Long legged spiders and unsuspecting visitors on the Bridge below can be viewed through a wide Glass pane Cut into the top of the i Crocodile room. The aquarium and much of the old sections of the zoo Are undergoing changes in conjunction with the upcoming Celebration in 1987, of the zoo s 150th year of existence. The renovations Are intended to restore the classic style that the zoo sported during the late 19th and Early 20th Century Fraedrich said. After the War we Only did what was necessary. Today we Are doing More for the aesthetics said the assistant zoo director. World War 11 came to visit the zoo on the night of nov. 22, 1943. Bombs Landing within zoo confines did tremendous damage that was added to in the waning years of the War said Fraedrich. Ninety percent of the zoo was in ruins or heavily damaged at War s end. One of the largest zoos in the pro War world had shrunk from 10,000 to 92 animals by 1945, Fraedrich said. Some of the animals were shot because of the fear that they would get out and pose a threat to a keeper in the Berlin zoo feeds an orangutan above. At Rig if Anne Ier orangutan amuses himself. The populace said Fra Edrah. Sonic of the rarer Breeds were sent out of the City for safekeeping but most of them never came Back he said. As for reports that the bombing resulted in zoo animals escaping into the surrounding tie Garten Section of the City they were just rumours according to Fraedrich. The isolation of Post War Berlin has meant daily feed costs of 3,500 do $1,270or about twice  it would Cost if Berlin was closer to its Western sources of Supply said Fraedrich. Maybe it is the Island nature of the City that makes the petting zoo one of the liveliest spots in the zoo. Children squeal with Delight As they hand feed a special Low Laforte preparation to farm animals More commonly found in the Countryside outside the walled in City. It is important to have one Corner in the zoo where there is hands on Contact with the animals Fraedrich said. The zoo has become More concerned about common farm animals because certain strains of goats and pigs have begun to die out As Farmers turn to new More economically viable Breeds he said. Concern about the future of the animal world is evident in exhibits that display attire made out of rare animal hides and confiscated by customs authorities. Fraedrich said he got the idea for the displays from a visit to the new York museum of history where the lifeless skins of endangered animal species were stacked in a Cage. The zoological gardens offer More than a zoo. One of the recent highlights was an International conference on the Panda bears which saw experts gather to share their experiences in caring for the rare species. Beyond the educational aspect and the animals there Are several restaurants scattered among statues and fountains. For zoologist and casual stroller alike the Berlin zoo has got something of interest. Stripes Magazine september 5, 7985