European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 16, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A Meerkat takes up a watchful position amid natural looking surroundings. S<5s photos by Dave Casey go see for yourself a visit to the Frankfurt zoo in Germany will remind you of the old Simon and Garfunkel Lyric Quot it s All happening at the  with everything from aardvarks to zebras this zoo has something for children of All Ages. In addition to the zoo s Normal complement of tigers Lions and bears the Frankfurt zoo has a number of interesting animals and exhibits that set it apart from the Norm. For instance the crime a House named after a previous director houses the aforementioned aardvark and nine other orders of mammals. What distinguishes this building however is the display environment of nocturnal animals. The visitor follows a path through the Middle of the building a in almost total darkness. This allows you to View the animal in their natural environment a instead of rolled up into Ball of fur. The exit atrium is another interesting building. Inside visitors will be intrigued by the natural looking panoramas reptile Halls poisonous snakes and other enclosures that Are identical to the animal s origins. Some of the displays have chairs in front of them where the weary visitor can rest a and watch the animals. Another favorite with the younger set is the children s zoo. The cast of characters Here Are Shetland ponies pygmy ponies pygmy goats and the famous pot bellied pigs from Vietnam. Other sections of the children s zoo include a Maze the Guinea pig Field and an animal Nursery. Every animal has its own display sign with a picture of the animal the animal s German latin and English name a map of the animals distribution in the wild and a Short description of the animal in German. To augment that information a Guidebook to the zoo and its inhabitants is available in English for 3 Marks about $1.85not Only does it explain the animals but it also has a Section of the zoo s efforts at reintroducing them to the wild. So on your next free weekend take a trip and see what s new at the zoo. You won t be disappointed. A hours 9 . To 7 . Monday through Friday and 8 . To 7 . Saturday and sunday in the summer. During the Winter months the hours Are 8 . To 5 . Seven Days a week. A costs prices Are 11 Marks about $6.75 for adults and 5 Marks about $3 for children except for the last saturday in the month when both Entrance fees Are half. A discount is also available if you arrive on Public transportation a so save your stub. A for further information Call 069-212-33715 or 33731. A Dave Casey staff photographer left a Gorilla stares pensively into the distance. Above an orangutan and a Young visitor Eye each other curiously. _ v left a Hippo resembles a living submarine As it surfaces. Right a shoe Bill gives a visitor a Baleful look. Stripes Magazine june 16, 1994 june 16, 1994 stripes Magazine 15