Serengeti Park
Encyclopedia
The Serengeti Park in Hodenhagen
, Lower Saxony
, is a zoo
and leisure park in North Germany.
in Europe with partners from America. In 1974 this plan was realised and, since then, the Sepe family has run the park. When it opened the investors had spent about 20 million deutschmarks.
In 1983 the park was extensively renovated. Over time, in addition to Animal World, it has created new zones known as Monkey World, Water World and Leisure World.
In 1996 Serengeti Park was the first to release into the wild white rhinos bred in Europe
.
In 1999 the first baby monkey jungle in the world was opened where children up to 8 years old enter a height-limited area directly to see different small species of monkey. Adults may only use the walkway running parallel to it. In 2003 Serengeti Park admitted its first white tiger
.
In 2004 Serengeti Park received permanent recognition as a zoological garden in accordance with current EU guideline 99/22/EG and §45 of the north German nature reserve law and on the basis of a LANA inspection.
23 March 2006 saw the first African elephant calf to be born in north Germany for 30 years.
Section 1 known as Afrika 1 contains Eland
, Giraffe
, Blue Wildebeest
, Waterbuck
, Oryx
, Sable Antelope
, Flamingo
and Nyala
as well as enclosures for Spider Monkey
s and Siamang
. In Section 2, Scandinavia, Reindeer
and Moose
may be seen. Section 3 Europa is home to Fallow Deer
, Moufflon, Goat
s, Sheep, Ducks and Geese, Dwarf Donkeys
and Mini Ponies
. Here visitors may leave their cars and feed and stroke the animals. Common Seal can also be observed here in a natural lake.
Next to Section 4 Amerika with its Greater Rhea, Elk
, Bison
and Guanacos is Section 5 Russland, in which Sika Deer
, Blackbuck
and Alpaca
as well as Amur Leopard
s may be seen. Section 6 Asien features Chital
, Yak
s and Père David's Deer
and also has a Gibbon Island
. Indian Wild Dogs live in Section 7 , Lion
s in Section 8 and Tigers in Section 9. Section 10 is home to animals from several continents including American Black Bear
, Baboon
s, Ostrich
es, Onager
s, Bactrian Camel
s and Barbary Sheep
Emu
s and Kangaroo
s can be seen in Section 11, Australien. Section 12 Afrika 2 has White Rhino, Watusi Cattle
, Zebra
, Lechwe
and Dromedaries. Section 13 includes an enclosure with African Elephants. The biggest attraction here is elephant calf Bou Bou born on 23 March 2006 at Serengeti Park.
Since early 2003 four white tiger
s have been added to Animal World in a new enclosure. The tigers were formerly part of Circus Barum and were given to Serengeti Park by Gerd Siemoneit-Barum on being retired. In December 2006 the first successful breeding of a tiger was achieved with the birth of tiger cub Paul.
, a giant pirate ship
and the African village, Kongo.
s, Squirrel Monkey
s, Mantled Guereza
, White-headed Lemur
s, Tufted Capuchin
s, Ring-tailed Lemur
s, White-headed Capuchin
s, Green Monkey
s, Patas Monkey
s, Grey Langurs, Lar Gibbon
s, Cottontop Tamarin
s, Common Marmoset
s, Chimpanzee
s and Gorillas), some in walk-through enclosures. The Jungle Safari Tour also begins in Monkey World. This open-top bus tour takes in part of Animal World in Safari style and also negotiates an offroad section with special effects.
. The Serengeti restaurant Zanzibar is also located in Leisure World.
Eighty holiday homes with a total of 300 beds are available in the Serengeti Safari Lodge. In addition there is a conference room with around 200 seats.
Hodenhagen
Hodenhagen is a municipality in the district of Heidekreis, in Lower Saxony, Germany. The town was once the site of Hudemühlen Castle, which is now completely destroyed. The castle was famous as the home of the kobold Hinzelmann. The site of another medieval castle, Hodenhagen Castle on the River...
, Lower Saxony
Lower Saxony
Lower Saxony is a German state situated in north-western Germany and is second in area and fourth in population among the sixteen states of Germany...
, is a zoo
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
and leisure park in North Germany.
History
In 1972 the Duke of Bedford had the idea of building the largest safari parkSafari park
A safari park, sometimes known as a wildlife park, is a zoo-like commercial tourist attraction where visitors can drive in their own vehicles or ride in vehicles provided by the facility to observe freely roaming animals...
in Europe with partners from America. In 1974 this plan was realised and, since then, the Sepe family has run the park. When it opened the investors had spent about 20 million deutschmarks.
In 1983 the park was extensively renovated. Over time, in addition to Animal World, it has created new zones known as Monkey World, Water World and Leisure World.
In 1996 Serengeti Park was the first to release into the wild white rhinos bred in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
In 1999 the first baby monkey jungle in the world was opened where children up to 8 years old enter a height-limited area directly to see different small species of monkey. Adults may only use the walkway running parallel to it. In 2003 Serengeti Park admitted its first white tiger
White tiger
The white tiger is a recessive mutant of the Bengal tiger, which was reported in the wild from time to time in Assam, Bengal, Bihar and especially from the former State of Rewa.-Color comparison:...
.
In 2004 Serengeti Park received permanent recognition as a zoological garden in accordance with current EU guideline 99/22/EG and §45 of the north German nature reserve law and on the basis of a LANA inspection.
23 March 2006 saw the first African elephant calf to be born in north Germany for 30 years.
Zones
Serengeti Park is divided into four zones: Animal World (Tierland), Water World (Wasserland), Monkey World (Affenland) and Leisure World (Freizeitland).Animal World
Animal World covers an area of 110 hectares (271.8 acre), has around 1,500 animals living in the open and can be visited by car. Alternatively visitors can use a Serengeti Bus; during feeding times the animals are enticed close to the bus. The zone is divided into 13 sections.Section 1 known as Afrika 1 contains Eland
Taurotragus
Taurotragus, commonly called Eland, is a genus of antelopes of the African savannah, containing two species: the Common Eland and the Giant Eland...
, Giraffe
Giraffe
The giraffe is an African even-toed ungulate mammal, the tallest of all extant land-living animal species, and the largest ruminant...
, Blue Wildebeest
Blue Wildebeest
The Blue Wildebeest , also called the Common Wildebeest, is a large antelope and one of two species of wildebeest. It grows to 115–145 cm shoulder height and attains a body mass of 168–274 kg. They range the open plains, bushveld and dry woodlands of Southern and East Africa, living for...
, Waterbuck
Waterbuck
The Waterbuck is a large antelope found widely in Sub-Saharan Africa.Waterbuck stand at the shoulder. Males weigh and females . Their coats are reddish brown in colour and become progressively darker with age; they have a white 'bib' under their throats and white on their rumps...
, Oryx
Oryx
Oryx is one of four large antelope species of the genus Oryx. Three of the species are native to arid parts of Africa, with a fourth native to the Arabian Peninsula. Their pelage is pale with contrasing dark markings in the face and on the legs, and their long horns are almost straight...
, Sable Antelope
Sable Antelope
The Sable Antelope is an antelope which inhabits wooded savannah in East Africa south of Kenya, and in Southern Africa.-Subspecies:There are four subspecies:* H. n. niger which is considered low risk conservation dependent...
, Flamingo
Flamingo
Flamingos or flamingoes are gregarious wading birds in the genus Phoenicopterus , the only genus in the family Phoenicopteridae...
and Nyala
Nyala
The Nyala is a Southern African antelope. It is a spiral-horned dense-forest antelope that is uncomfortable in open spaces and is most often seen at water holes. Nyalas live alone or in small family groups of up to 10 individuals.The male stands up to 110 cm , the female is up to 90 cm ...
as well as enclosures for Spider Monkey
Spider monkey
Spider monkeys of the genus Ateles are New World monkeys in the subfamily Atelinae, family Atelidae. Like other atelines, they are found in tropical forests of Central and South America, from southern Mexico to Brazil...
s and Siamang
Siamang
The siamang is a tailless, arboreal, black-furred gibbon native to the forests of Malaysia, Thailand, and Sumatra. The largest of the lesser apes, the siamang can be twice the size of other gibbons, reaching 1 m in height, and weighing up to 14 kg...
. In Section 2, Scandinavia, Reindeer
Reindeer
The reindeer , also known as the caribou in North America, is a deer from the Arctic and Subarctic, including both resident and migratory populations. While overall widespread and numerous, some of its subspecies are rare and one has already gone extinct.Reindeer vary considerably in color and size...
and Moose
Moose
The moose or Eurasian elk is the largest extant species in the deer family. Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males; other members of the family have antlers with a dendritic configuration...
may be seen. Section 3 Europa is home to Fallow Deer
Fallow Deer
The Fallow Deer is a ruminant mammal belonging to the family Cervidae. This common species is native to western Eurasia, but has been introduced widely elsewhere. It often includes the rarer Persian Fallow Deer as a subspecies , while others treat it as an entirely different species The Fallow...
, Moufflon, Goat
Goat
The domestic goat is a subspecies of goat domesticated from the wild goat of southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. The goat is a member of the Bovidae family and is closely related to the sheep as both are in the goat-antelope subfamily Caprinae. There are over three hundred distinct breeds of...
s, Sheep, Ducks and Geese, Dwarf Donkeys
Donkey
The donkey or ass, Equus africanus asinus, is a domesticated member of the Equidae or horse family. The wild ancestor of the donkey is the African Wild Ass, E...
and Mini Ponies
Pony
A pony is a small horse . Depending on context, a pony may be a horse that is under an approximate or exact height at the withers, or a small horse with a specific conformation and temperament. There are many different breeds...
. Here visitors may leave their cars and feed and stroke the animals. Common Seal can also be observed here in a natural lake.
Next to Section 4 Amerika with its Greater Rhea, Elk
Elk
The Elk is the large deer, also called Cervus canadensis or wapiti, of North America and eastern Asia.Elk may also refer to:Other antlered mammals:...
, Bison
Bison
Members of the genus Bison are large, even-toed ungulates within the subfamily Bovinae. Two extant and four extinct species are recognized...
and Guanacos is Section 5 Russland, in which Sika Deer
Sika Deer
The Sika Deer, Cervus nippon, also known as the Spotted Deer or the Japanese Deer, is a species of deer native to much of East Asia and introduced to various other parts of the world...
, Blackbuck
Blackbuck
Blackbuck is a species of antelope native to the Indian subcontinent. Their range decreased sharply during the 20th century. Since 2003, the IUCN lists the species as near threatened....
and Alpaca
Alpaca
An alpaca is a domesticated species of South American camelid. It resembles a small llama in appearance.Alpacas are kept in herds that graze on the level heights of the Andes of southern Peru, northern Bolivia, Ecuador, and northern Chile at an altitude of to above sea level, throughout the year...
as well as Amur Leopard
Amur Leopard
The Amur leopard , also known as the Far Eastern leopard, Korean leopard, and Manchurian leopard is one of nine recognised subspecies of leopard. It is a wild feline predator native to the mountainous areas of the Russian Far East. It used to inhabit the forests of Korea and China, but it has...
s may be seen. Section 6 Asien features Chital
Chital
The chital or cheetal , also known as chital deer, spotted deer or axis deer is a deer which commonly inhabits wooded regions of Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and in small numbers in Pakistan...
, Yak
Yak
The yak, Bos grunniens or Bos mutus, is a long-haired bovine found throughout the Himalayan region of south Central Asia, the Tibetan Plateau and as far north as Mongolia and Russia. In addition to a large domestic population, there is a small, vulnerable wild yak population...
s and Père David's Deer
Père David's Deer
Père David's Deer, Elaphurus davidianus, also known as the Milu , is a species of deer known only in captivity. It prefers marshland, and is believed to be native to the subtropics of China. It grazes on a mixture of grass and water plants. It is the only extant member of the genus Elaphurus...
and also has a Gibbon Island
Gibbon
Gibbons are apes in the family Hylobatidae . The family is divided into four genera based on their diploid chromosome number: Hylobates , Hoolock , Nomascus , and Symphalangus . The extinct Bunopithecus sericus is a gibbon or gibbon-like ape which, until recently, was thought to be closely related...
. Indian Wild Dogs live in Section 7 , Lion
Lion
The lion is one of the four big cats in the genus Panthera, and a member of the family Felidae. With some males exceeding 250 kg in weight, it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger...
s in Section 8 and Tigers in Section 9. Section 10 is home to animals from several continents including American Black Bear
American black bear
The American black bear is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most common bear species. Black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in...
, Baboon
Baboon
Baboons are African and Arabian Old World monkeys belonging to the genus Papio, part of the subfamily Cercopithecinae. There are five species, which are some of the largest non-hominoid members of the primate order; only the mandrill and the drill are larger...
s, Ostrich
Ostrich
The Ostrich is one or two species of large flightless birds native to Africa, the only living member of the genus Struthio. Some analyses indicate that the Somali Ostrich may be better considered a full species apart from the Common Ostrich, but most taxonomists consider it to be a...
es, Onager
Onager
The Onager is a large member of the genus Equus of the family Equidae native to the deserts of Syria, Iran, Pakistan, India, Israel and Tibet...
s, Bactrian Camel
Bactrian camel
The Bactrian camel is a large, even-toed ungulate native to the steppes of central Asia. It is presently restricted in the wild to remote regions of the Gobi and Taklamakan Deserts of Mongolia and Xinjiang. A small number of wild Bactrian camels still roam the Mangystau Province of southwest...
s and Barbary Sheep
Barbary sheep
The Barbary Sheep is a species of caprid native to rocky mountains in North Africa. Six subspecies have been described. Although it is rare in its native North Africa, it has been introduced to North America, southern Europe and elsewhere...
Emu
Emu
The Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the largest bird native to Australia and the only extant member of the genus Dromaius. It is the second-largest extant bird in the world by height, after its ratite relative, the ostrich. There are three subspecies of Emus in Australia...
s and Kangaroo
Kangaroo
A kangaroo is a marsupial from the family Macropodidae . In common use the term is used to describe the largest species from this family, especially those of the genus Macropus, Red Kangaroo, Antilopine Kangaroo, Eastern Grey Kangaroo and Western Grey Kangaroo. Kangaroos are endemic to the country...
s can be seen in Section 11, Australien. Section 12 Afrika 2 has White Rhino, Watusi Cattle
Ankole-Watusi (cattle)
The Ankole-Watusi is a breed of cattle originally native to Africa. Its large, distinctive horns, that can reach up to from tip to tip, are used for defense. Ankole-Watusis weigh from . Living in the savannas and open grasslands, their diet consists of grass and leaves...
, Zebra
Zebra
Zebras are several species of African equids united by their distinctive black and white stripes. Their stripes come in different patterns unique to each individual. They are generally social animals that live in small harems to large herds...
, Lechwe
Lechwe
The Lechwe, or Southern Lechwe, is an antelope found in Botswana, Zambia, south-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, north-eastern Namibia, and eastern Angola, especially in the Okavango Delta, Kafue Flats and Bangweulu Swamps....
and Dromedaries. Section 13 includes an enclosure with African Elephants. The biggest attraction here is elephant calf Bou Bou born on 23 March 2006 at Serengeti Park.
Since early 2003 four white tiger
White tiger
The white tiger is a recessive mutant of the Bengal tiger, which was reported in the wild from time to time in Assam, Bengal, Bihar and especially from the former State of Rewa.-Color comparison:...
s have been added to Animal World in a new enclosure. The tigers were formerly part of Circus Barum and were given to Serengeti Park by Gerd Siemoneit-Barum on being retired. In December 2006 the first successful breeding of a tiger was achieved with the birth of tiger cub Paul.
Water World
Water World can be visited on foot (as can Monkey World and Leisure World). In Water World everything revolves around water. Here, in addition to animals like geese, swans and ducks there are also attractions like a 600 m long log flumeLog flume (attraction)
Log flumes originally referred to a special construct used to transport lumber and logs down mountainous terrain to a sawmill by using flowing water. Today, however, the term is also used to refer to an amusement ride consisting of a water flume and artificial hollow logs or boats...
, a giant pirate ship
Pirate ship (ride)
A pirate ship is a type of amusement ride, consisting of an open, seated gondola which swings back and forth, subjecting the rider to various levels of angular momentum....
and the African village, Kongo.
Monkey World
Twenty different species of monkey live in Monkey World (for example: Barbary MacaqueBarbary Macaque
The Barbary Macaque , or Common macaque, is a macaque with no tail. Found in the Atlas Mountains of Algeria and Morocco with a small population, of unknown origin, in Gibraltar, the Barbary Macaque is one of the best-known Old World monkey species. Besides humans, they are the only primates that...
s, Squirrel Monkey
Squirrel monkey
The squirrel monkeys are the New World monkeys of the genus Saimiri. They are the only genus in the subfamily Saimirinae.Squirrel monkeys live in the tropical forests of Central and South America in the canopy layer. Most species have parapatric or allopatric ranges in the Amazon, while S...
s, Mantled Guereza
Mantled Guereza
The mantled guereza , also known simply as the guereza, the eastern black-and-white colobus, or the Abyssinian black-and-white colobus, is a black and white colobus monkey, a kind of Old World monkey...
, White-headed Lemur
White-headed Lemur
The white-headed lemur , also known as the white-headed brown lemur, white-fronted brown lemur, or white-fronted lemur, is a species of primate in the Lemuridae family. It is only found in north-eastern Madagascar...
s, Tufted Capuchin
Tufted Capuchin
The tufted capuchin , also known as brown capuchin or black-capped capuchin is a New World primate from South America...
s, Ring-tailed Lemur
Ring-tailed Lemur
The ring-tailed lemur is a large strepsirrhine primate and the most recognized lemur due to its long, black and white ringed tail. It belongs to Lemuridae, one of five lemur families. It is the only member of the Lemur genus. Like all lemurs it is endemic to the island of Madagascar...
s, White-headed Capuchin
White-headed Capuchin
The white-headed capuchin , also known as the white-faced capuchin or white-throated capuchin, is a medium-sized New World monkey of the family Cebidae, subfamily Cebinae...
s, Green Monkey
Green Monkey
The green monkey , also known as the Callithrix monkey, is an Old World monkey with golden-green fur and pale hands and feet. The tip of the tail is golden yellow as are the backs of the thighs and cheek whiskers. It does not have a distinguishing band of fur on the brow, like other Chlorocebus...
s, Patas Monkey
Patas Monkey
The patas monkey , also known as the Wadi monkey or Hussar monkey, is a ground-dwelling monkey distributed over semi-arid areas of West Africa, and into East Africa. It is the only species classified in the genus Erythrocebus...
s, Grey Langurs, Lar Gibbon
Lar Gibbon
The lar gibbon , also known as the white-handed gibbon, is a primate in the Hylobatidae or gibbon family. It is one of the better-known gibbons and is often seen in zoos.-Range:...
s, Cottontop Tamarin
Cottontop Tamarin
The cotton-top tamarin , also known as the Pinché tamarin, is a small New World monkey weighing less than 1 lb...
s, Common Marmoset
Common Marmoset
The common marmoset is a New World monkey. It originally lived on the Northeastern coast of Brazil, in the states of Piaui, Paraiba, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Pernambuco, Alagoas and Bahia...
s, Chimpanzee
Chimpanzee
Chimpanzee, sometimes colloquially chimp, is the common name for the two extant species of ape in the genus Pan. The Congo River forms the boundary between the native habitat of the two species:...
s and Gorillas), some in walk-through enclosures. The Jungle Safari Tour also begins in Monkey World. This open-top bus tour takes in part of Animal World in Safari style and also negotiates an offroad section with special effects.
Leisure World
In Leisure World there are over 40 different fairground rides suitable for children and adults, such as the rollercoaster, Ferris wheel and fitness trailFitness trail
A fitness trail consists of a path or course equipped with obstacles or stations distributed along its length for exercising the human body to promote good health. The course is designed to promote physical fitness training in the style attributed to Georges Hébert...
. The Serengeti restaurant Zanzibar is also located in Leisure World.
Shows
Four shows take place daily in Serengeti Park:- Feeding of the monkeys in the Amboseli Reserve (Monkey World)
- African Magic Show (magic and juggling in Water World)
- Punch and Judy Show (Water World)
- Zambesi Water Show (Leisure World)
Accommodation
Since 2007 it has been possible to stay at Serengeti Park.Eighty holiday homes with a total of 300 beds are available in the Serengeti Safari Lodge. In addition there is a conference room with around 200 seats.