Annual review, a look ahead, and animal extremes

Animal news | 14 January 2026

Our first press event of the year explored how the zoo fared in 2025, detailed some of our upcoming investments, and involved some special animal encounters.

Zoo Director Karl-Heinz Ukena and Zoo Supervisory Board Chair Annekatrin Klepsch took stock and gave some insights into the year ahead. Ukena spoke of a “mixed 2025” that saw Dresden Zoo welcome 492,513 visitors, up 22,000 from the previous year. He expressed his deepest gratitude to the zoo team and the state capital of Dresden, whose city council recently voted by a large majority to continue financial support for the zoo. Ukena also expressed his appreciation for the tireless efforts of the Friends of Dresden Zoo association and the immense financial generosity of many people connected to the zoo.

The expansion of the giraffe and zebra enclosure is set to take place in the next few months, following the demolition of the old terrarium. The project, costs for which amount to some €500,000, is being funded entirely by donations and is scheduled for implementation in the spring.

Annekatrin Klepsch emphasised the acute need for ongoing investment in the zoo to be part of local budgetary policy, despite the myriad challenges. She explained that this is essential to safeguard the existence and attractiveness of this recreational facility and ensure its further development. As a result of demographic changes, however, the zoo also needs to attract new target groups and must therefore drive new impetus in areas such as the tourism sector.

The focus of the event then switched to the zoo’s animal inhabitants and, more specifically, extremes within the animal kingdom. The first task, with Klepsch’s assistance, was to determine the weight of two Aldabra giant tortoises. It took four keepers to lift the heavyweights onto the scales. After reading the weight displayed on the scales (Hugo II: 108 kg / Hugo III: 156 kg), Klepsch took the opportunity to give Hugo III a quick stroke. She then helped keeper Steffi Silbermann measure the length of a female giant Malaysian leaf insect. Her initial pronouncement of 11 cm was verified by the experienced keeper before the two finally agreed on an impressive 12 cm. Giant leaf insects are among the largest living insect species on Earth, and can be observed in a terrarium in the Prof. Brandes House.

From these giants, the spotlight then moved to the opposite end of the spectrum and one of the smallest mammals in the world – the Etruscan shrew. A pair of these agile animals, measuring just three to five centimetres long and weighing around two grams, can be seen in a show enclosure in The Underground Zoo. The zoo itself is home to three more successful breeding pairs behind the scenes at the orangutan house.

In terms of the year ahead, the Zoo Director and Supervisory Board Chair expressed both their excitement for the expansion of the giraffe and zebra enclosure, and their hope for many visitors to the zoo in 2026. They are also looking forward to continued strong civic engagement in the preservation and development of this unique cultural and recreational facility that is so valuable to Dresden.