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Frankfurt Zoo was created in 1858 and was the second zoo to be created in Germany after the Berlin Zoo. The Zoo was built through a private initative and supplemented by public funds. The Frankfurt Zoo was almost totally destroyed during the Second World War and just 20 animals survived during the bombardment in 1944. Most of the buildings which exist in the zoo premises are built during the early fifties when the zoo was again rebuilt. The most magnificent addition is the Grzimek Night House from 1978, named after Dr. Grzimek who was the zoo director during the fifties. The Asian Cat House is also a latest addition to the zoo being opened in 2002. Most visitors at the zoo arrive via the underground train to Alfred-Brehm-Platz, named after a famous German biologist and zoo director from the 19th century. The entrance of the Frankfurt Zoo is not too inspiring. You will find yourself at the back of the Zoo Society House right after the main gates in the company of some South American Coscoraba swans. You will also a see a couple of bear grottoes and the Asian Cats house. Grzimek Night House is the largest night house and contains everything ranging from mouse lemurs and galagos over tamanduas to aardwarks, fossas and kiwis. Other attractions include a gentoo penguin exhibit plus an Amazonian river exhibit which is close to the entrance. The back end of the garden at the Frankfurt Zoo features New Zealand keas and African hunting dogs. You also find a fine series of small walkthrough aviaries and a good birdhouse with among other things a couple of shoebills. If you walk through the bend you will arrive at the monkey house and you will also see the entrance to the ape house which contains all the big apes including gorillas, orangs, chimps and bonobos. The apes are well bred and well looked after. The Zoo Society House features an eatery and some exhibition rooms for the benefit of the visitors.
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