Wilhelma Stuttgart Builds New Elephant World
Courtesy of Wilhelma Stuttgart.
© Concept Art: Herrmann + Bosch Architekten
(eap) A new Elephant World is currently being developed at Wilhelma Stuttgart, Germany. The groundbreaking ceremony for the facility recently took place in the presence of park management and political representatives. The new development will be located at the second main entrance (Pragstraße) of the zoological-botanical garden and is intended to set new standards both in terms of species-appropriate animal husbandry and the visitor experience.
With approximately 5,400 square meters of usable indoor space within the Elephant World and 14,500 square meters of outdoor area, the facility will in future accommodate up to 15 adult Asian elephants. Several water basins and landscaping elements are intended to create a naturalistic environment for the animals. Visitors will be able to observe the elephants from various perspectives, including from a restaurant integrated into the hall featuring a panoramic window. The entire facility will be designed to be barrier-free and will be constructed primarily from reinforced concrete and wood. A photovoltaic system is planned for the roof to ensure efficient energy supply, while drinking water consumption is planned to be reduced through sustainable rainwater management. In addition, the waste heat from a traffic tunnel (Rosenstein Tunnel) is intended to be integrated into the heating concept for the new building.
“In the wild, the Asian elephant is considered endangered. Reserve populations in zoos will therefore play an increasingly important role in the conservation of the species in the future. For this, breeding within functioning social groups is essential. In the wild, female elephants with their offspring, bachelor groups and older bulls often go separate ways – but at times they also come together again to form larger groups. This is exactly what will be ensured in our Elephant World as a highly modern so-called ‘fission-fusion’ facility. […],” explained Wilhelma Director Dr. Thomas Kölpin regarding the major project.
Baden Wuerttemberg’s Finance Minister Dr. Danyal Bayaz stated: “The elephant is the heraldic animal and one of the most popular animals of the Wilhelma. The new development will be another visitor highlight. It also demonstrates that the Wilhelma is continuously evolving to ensure that the animals can live here in the most species-appropriate way possible. The new Elephant World will set standards.”
The state of Baden-Württemberg, operator of the Wilhelma, is investing around 68.5 million euros in the new construction project. Of this, 15 million euros will be contributed by the Association of Friends and Supporters of Wilhelma Stuttgart – Bad Cannstatt e.V. Responsibility for the project lies with the state enterprise Vermögen und Bau Stuttgart. The Elephant World is scheduled for completion in early 2030. ■
