Germany: Antje Angeli Appointed New Director of Rostock Zoo – Future Projects Presented

After almost 30 years at the helm of Germany’s Rostock Zoo, director Udo Nagel will retire from his position at the end of this month. The main committee of the citizenship of the city of Rostock appointed former zoo curator Antje Angeli as new zoo director as of July 1st – she will be the first woman in this position at the 1899-founded zoo. “Antje Angeli has already made a significant contribution in the past to the fact that our zoo is in such a good position today. She ensures continuity and has many ideas for new projects. At the same time, she knows the zoo from the ground up and brings with her a wealth of experience,“ said Prof. Dr. Stefan Richter from the Biological Institute of the University of Rostock, who lead the selection committee.

Udo Nagel pointed out: “Antje Angeli has extensive knowledge about how to manage large construction projects that she gained e.g. with the modernisation of the historic ungulate enclosure, the Darwineum and Polarium as well as with the new sichler aviary. I am certain that Antje Angeli is the right fit for this complex challenges of the future.“

“As new general manager and zoo director, I aim at continuing the positive developments of Rostock Zoo. I feel a strong connection to not only the zoo but also to the hanseatic and university city of Rostock as well as our federal state thanks to my roots in the region. From all this my wish has grown to further develop the zoo as a flagship and tourist magnet of the city,“ Angeli commented.

Besides the development of a safety concept for the zoo and the expansion and improvement of the digital infrastructure, Angeli will be responsible for dealing with topics including animal diseases such as the rampant avian influenza. Yesterday, the Rostock Zoo also presented its upcoming future projects, which will determine the zoo’s path until the year 2040. This projects include a new enclosure for Amur tigers and Amur leopards, an “Afrikaneum“ for elephants, giraffes and okapis as well as the “Humboldteum“, which will be dedicated to the scientific insights of Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859). The estimated overall investment sum is 70 to 75 million Euros. (eap)