Siberian Landscape Redesign of the tiger enclosure at Duisburg Zoo

With the conversion and new construction of the tiger enclosure at Duisburg Zoo, a new, spacious habitat for the Siberian tigers is being created.

The design for the tiger enclosure at Duisburg Zoo is based on the idea of representing the original habitat of the Siberian tiger as realistically as possible. Important in the design is furthermore to create interesting lines of sight for the visitor. The future territory of the tigers will be formed by two parts of different size, which can be separated in case of a cub rearing. The enclosures will be designed with plants and materials typical of eastern Russia and the neighbouring areas of North Korea and China. The plant selection ranges from grasses to flowering perennials and tree plantings. In addition to rocks, boulders and deadwood, a watercourse with three larger pools divides the territory. In order to offer the tigers not only a species-appropriate design but also variety, various opportunities are planned to keep the animals' bodies and minds busy.

Different viewing angles and axes of vision enable the visitor to grasp the terrain over a wide area and to get to know the tiger's behaviour. The views are given via bulletproof glass panes, a free view over water basins and narrow openings. The highlight is the possibility to look over the whole area from the gallery of the visitor house. The visitor house, in traditional wooden architecture of Siberia as well as the new zoo laboratory in the north are the core pieces of the visitor guidance.

Outside the enclosures the exotic landscape of Siberia is likewise reflected. From the same design elements, which are to be seen with the tigers also the external area is coined. Thus the entire plant merges to a landscape. Tiger tracks are to be discovered in the paths, which lead the visitor on a "tiger nature trail" across the grounds. Here, information about the origin and species of the animal is conveyed at various points. The north of the area is characterised by a large wetland biotope, which is connected to the water system of the tiger reserve and thus purifies the water in a natural cycle. Open spaces as well as rock formations invite visitors to linger, watch the tigers or picnic.

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Collaboration with:
Sprenger von der Lippe / Architekten