What differentiates Zoo Berlin and Tierpark Berlin from zoological institutions on the other side of the pond? The animals? The way they are kept? The employees? Christian Aust, Nico Astor, Kris Willis and Art Gonzales were soon to answer: Considerably more exotic animals live in Berlin compared to L.A.!
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Zoo Berlin, Tierpark Berlin and Los Angeles Zoo was concluded in 2014. Cooperation in the fields of animal management, species conservation projects and the further training of staff should result from this, which may precisely answer such questions and also encourage learning exchanges between the staff.
The first step in this direction was taken in the spring of 2015 and is currently being completed in Berlin: Two colleagues from the Zoo and Tierpark traveled to Los Angeles – two colleagues from the City of Angels are currently in the capital as part of the exchange. Each of them are part of the "Keepers Exchange Programme", which is supported by US Ambassador Emerson and funded by the City of Los Angeles. "The programme is there to encourage employees of the three participating zoos 'to look beyond their familiar horizons'" explains Zoo and Tierpark Director Dr. Andreas Knieriem. He continues: "They should be given the opportunity to experience first hand how animals are cared for elsewhere and which differences are present in the management and presentation."
Christian Aust, animal keeper for the great apes at the Zoo, and Nico Astor, animal keeper in the tropical world at Tierpark Berlin, went on a two-week mission to Los Angeles. Each of the keepers will be directed to their familiar department on-site and get straight in to clearing the muck and cleaning the enclosures, but there are of course guided feedings too in LA that are part of the work plan. "The great ape areas in Zoo L.A. are relatively straightforward. Due to the consistently mild climate in L.A., there are especially large outdoor enclosures and not so many animal houses as you would find in Europe", reports animal keeper Christian Aust. Amused, he adds: "Particularly impressive was the fact that due to the location of Zoo L.A., the monkey feed can be virtually collected by the main gate." It was time to return home after two weeks, but with a lot of new impressions at hand.
The American colleagues Kris Willis and Art Gonzales have been in Berlin since the end of August. They have been actively working in both zoos and getting to know both the country and the people. So we decided to organize BBQ evenings, a trip with the Dragon Boat, an excursion to Schloss Sanssouci in Potsdam and explored the numerous Berlin attractions.
They worked one week each in both the Zoo and Tierpark. The American animal keepers were impressed by the large animal population in Berlin; the city itself, which they thought was interesting, and just loved the German food. Our colleagues from L.A. have until 13 September to enjoy the German hospitality in Tierpark Berlin. The exchange was a great success and is expected to take place again next year as well.
