Interview 366 – Caption Index: 415
Or did the zoo society pursue them?… Read More
Or did the zoo society pursue them?… Read More
Who was instrumental in going to these private people or industries and saying, will you be partners with us?… Read More
It didn’t all come from the Frankfurt Zoo Society. Well, about 2 million of this 25 million came from the Zoological Society of Frankfurt. About 10 million or so came from the city of Frankfurt. And then there were some donations, some bequests. And the biggest part, namely the ape… Read More
Next year, we are short of money. Maybe in two years. And in two years, it will be there exactly the same. But with this public-private partnership that my superior and I followed very closely, we succeeded to build even the ape facility, that was originally planned for about 70… Read More
So you would pursue the private people, you a zoo director?… Read More
But of course, it was a threat for the city because what city tolerates an empty house with a big label that the house is too small?… Read More
And we soon got some money for a new place called the cat jungle of South Asia for Indian lions and Sumatran tigers and clouded leopards. A special clouded leopard exhibit that was an old tradition in Frankfurt. And for the visitor, two labels, and the treetop label as well. Read More
How did you find 25 million?… Read More
I found that the big cat house was the worst place. There was a wonderful outside enclosure for lions, built by Grzimek in the ’50s and I retained it like it was. Because for me, first of all, I haven’t had the money to re-do everything and it was good. Read More
We moved out until the new house will be created. And one of the heads of the city department responsible for finances came to visit me and said, you are threatening us with this sending out of the big cats. And I told him, oh, no, I’m not threatening. I… Read More
To lead a good zoo with a good team for as many visitors as possible. And of course, with no new exhibits for 16 years, my main focal point was to create new exhibits. And in my time I could start only five years after starting because my first superior… Read More
So how did you, what was the first thing you wanted to do?… Read More
What’s the first exhibit you wanted to build, when you found you could receive the money?… Read More
You come in as director and what are your top items?… Read More
What did you want to address or enhance or make better right away?… Read More
What was on your mind?… Read More
Well, of course, we have to differentiate again from country to country. Switzerland was neutral and there was only one bomb falling into the border region of Switzerland. Whereas, a lot of German zoos were almost totally destroyed. And as I said, Frankfurt or Berlin Zoo were almost totally destroyed. Read More
But Grzimek was an excellent marketing man and he wanted to have more visitor coming into the zoo and paying and so he created a lot of additional attractions. He started a theater in the zoo and they had to pay for the zoo entrance and then they could go… Read More
What was going on?… Read More
There were probably, as you mentioned, bombings and animals had been, and food was scarce but some of these animals were still there. Read More