Zoologischer Garten Berlin
Berlin, Germany
Official website: www.zoo-berlin.de
Zoo Berlin
Zoo Berlin was opened to the public in 1844. It was the 9th zoo in the world.
In 1939 Zoo Berlin was the most important zoo in the world with a collection of more than 4000 animals. But within a few hours, all the work of 100 years was destroyed in World War II. Only 91 animals survived it. Following a master plan, the zoo was reconstructed and completely modernized in the following years.
Giant Pandas in Berlin
Zoo Berlin has 1 giant panda: Bao Bao
Helmut Schmidt receives a gift from China
In September 1979, the Chinese premier Hua Guofeng brought a state visit to the BRD. As a goodwill gift the chinese government gave a couple of giant pandas to the German Bundeskanzler Helmut Schmidt.
On November 5, 1980 the male Bao Bao and the female Tjen Tjen arrived in West Berlin. Both animals were 2 years old.
Bao Bao
Bao Bao (male) was born approximately in September 1978.
He has studbook number 208.
His name means "Schätzchen" in Chinese.
He was found wounded in Baoxing in the Chinese Sichuan Province in April 1979. He lived at the Chengdu Zoo from April 23, 1979. He moved to the Beijing Zoo in September 1980.
He came to Zoo Berlin on November 5, 1980 with Tjen Tjen.
After Tjen Tjen's death on February 8, 1984, Bao Bao stayed alone until November 14, 1991. Zoo Berlin agreed that Bao Bao would go on a breeding loan to London Zoo. In London, the female Ming Ming was waiting for him. Officials at the London Zoo had hoped they would breed, but instead the couple fought savagely. Bao Bao returned to Berlin on May 26, 1993.
On April 14, 1995 a new female, Yan Yan, came to Berlin. Both pandas lived separately in connecting exhibits.
After Yan Yan's death on March 26, 2007, Bao Bao is again the only giant panda at Zoo Berlin.
Bao Bao is the oldest male panda in captivity and the oldest panda outside of China.
History of Giant Pandas in Berlin
Happy
Happy (male) was born approximately in September 1935.
He has studbook number 5.
He was captured by Floyd Tangier Smith in the Chinese Sichuan Province. Together with 5 other pandas, he was shipped from Shanghai to the United Kingdom. They arrived in London on December 24, 1938.
One panda died from internal lesions on the transport, one died in the quarantine station of London Zoo and three were sold to London Zoo.
Happy was for sale at a price of 10000 dollars. But for the reason of the tense political situation in 1939, none of the European zoos neither had the courage nor the money to buy this panda.
Otto Fockelmann received Happy from his owner, Floyd Tangier Smith, in trust on January 26, 1939. He took him to Hannover and placed him at the disposal of animal dealer L. Ruhe for exhibition in Germany.
Ruhe & Fockelmann displayed him at Zoologischer Garten Berlin, Zoo Hannover, Münchner Tierpark Hellabrunn, Zoologischer Garten Leipzig & Kölner Zoo. He lived at Zoo Berlin from February 18 until April 12, 1939. After his German Tour, Happy was on display at the Zoo de Vincennes in Paris, France.
Happy was sold to the Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis, USA.
He left Europe on an ocean liner at the port of Cherbourg on June 6, 1939.
Happy arrived in Saint Louis on June 24, 1939 and stayed there until his death on March 10, 1946.
Tjen Tjen
Tjen Tjen (female) was born approximately in 1978.
She has studbook number 210.
Her name means "Himmelchen" in Chinese.
She was found in Tianquan in the Chinese Sichuan Province on June 12, 1979. She lived at the Chongqing Zoo from June 14, 1979. Tjen Tjen was transferred to the Chengdu Zoo on January 20, 1980.
She moved to Beijing Zoo in September 1980.
She came to Zoo Berlin on November 5, 1980 with Bao Bao.
Tjen Tjen died on February 8, 1984. She had an unexpected intestin infection, suffered from weakness and had kidneys problems.
Yan Yan
Yan Yan (female) was born approximately in August 1985.
She has studbook number 378.
Her name means "Die Niedliche" in Chinese.
She was found in Foping in November 1985 and was sent to the local zoo. In 1987 she was transferred to the Louguanta Zoo. From April 15 until May 15, 1991 and from April 15 until May 15, 1992 she went on a breeding loan to the Xian Zoo. From March 10 until August 31, 1993 she was loaned to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
She arrived in Zoo Berlin on April 14, 1995 as the result of the city partnership between Berlin and Beijing. From 1997 until 2004 the zoo staff performed several times artificial insemination on Yan Yan, but without succes.
She originally was on loan for 5 years, but it was extended with 3 extra years in 2001. In 2004 Volkswagen and Ursula Piëch made a deal with China to keep Yan Yan longer in Berlin.
Yan Yan died unexpected on March 26, 2007 from an intestine illness.
