Leipzig Zoo Opens Feuerland Themed Area

(eap) Yesterday saw the official opening of Leipzig Zoo’s new coastal and marine-themed “Feuerland” area. Covering around 10,000 square meters, the new experience transports visitors to the Pacific coast of South America and provides a new home for more than 50 Humboldt penguins, seals and seabirds. The multi-million-euro project was launched in May 2021.

Zoo Director Prof. Jörg Junhold celebrates the opening of Feuerland. © Foto: Zoo Leipzig More than 5.5 million litres of water fill the naturalistically designed habitat. A wave system keeps the water in motion, while beach areas with rugged rocks provide the animals with places to retreat and rest. “When designing our Feuerland area, we placed particular emphasis on the needs of the animals and created unique perspectives for visitors to observe them,” said Zoo Director Prof. Jörg Junhold during the official opening.

A key visitor highlight of the new area is the more than 100-metre-long underwater tunnel which, according to the zoo, ranks among the longest of its kind in Europe. It leads through the seal and penguin pools, allowing guests to observe the animals underwater. A twelve-meter-long acrylic-glass section even provides 360-degree-views. The area also encompasses a tidal pool that serves as a training pool for young animals, jumping rocks and a rock grandstand from which visitors can watch commented and medical training sessions with the sea lions. A large LED screen here provides close-up views of the training.

© Foto: Zoo Leipzig Christoph Schwitzer, President of EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquariums), also praised the project at the opening: “Leipzig is setting standards. Feuerland is more than a new animal habitat – it is a symbol of what modern zoos can be and what they must achieve. Here, you can see how animal welfare, visitor needs, education and species conservation go hand in hand.” Leipzig Mayor Burkhard Jung described Feuerland as a “phenomenal success story” for the city. And architect Peter Rasbach describes the new experience as a process in which the habitat takes centre stage while the structure itself increasingly recedes into the background.

Alongside the opening of Feuerland, Leizpig Zoo has also expanded its species conservation activities in South America. The focus is on Chilean Patagonia, where the zoo is working with partners to preserve temperate rainforests, wetlands and the Pacific coastlines. Its efforts focus on three highly endangered species: the Darwin’s frog, the southern river otter and the Humboldt penguins. The latter serves as an ambassador for the new Feuerland experience world. Digital learning stations provide a contemporary educational offering, informing visitors about the animals’ habitats and the challenges of species conservation.

In 2025, Leipzig Zoo welcomed a total of 1.66 million guests. ■