of the zoo, which specializes in mountain fauna (hence ”Bergzoo”) and that of South America. The zoo has long successfully taken part in international breeding programmes designed to conserve highly threatened species, such as the South American fur seal, cotton-top tamarin, bold ibis, Humboldt penguin, pudu (a dwarf deer), maned wolf, dwarf hippopotamus, sloth and others. State of the art conditions for the animals, as well as the opportunity for visitors to enjoy a range of experiences, have been made possible by the extensive building and modernisation measures since German reunification. A new, spacious house for squirrel monkeys with an adjacent monkey island and flamingo lagoon was opened in 1994. The ape and chimpanzee houses have been completely redesigned and since the opening in 2001 apes, dwarf hippos, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects from the tropical rain forest can be kept in a way corresponding to their nature. The seal pool dating back to the ‘30s has been replaced by a new one for South American fur seals, opened in 2001. The big cat house has been renovated with due regard to the required respect for listed buildings and was reopened to visitors in summer 2003.