Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Z is for Munich Zoologic Gardens

Ludwig Hohlwein (1874-1949)  c. 1912 Dover Press

This zoo, also called the Hellabrunn Zoo, is in Munich Germany.  Its time line reads like a history book.  In 1911, the zoo was opened, closed in 1922 due to inflation in Germany, reopened in 1928, received extensive damage due to allied war raids, but was able to be reopened in 1945.  What do they do with the zoo animals in time of war or do I really want to know?  Now it is a premier zoo, with many displays that are cageless, with moats instead of bars.

Here are some of the highlights if you visit:

1. The old elephant house, constructed in 1914.
2.  The new jungle house which houses Gorillas, Chimpanzees and Mississippi Alligators
3.  The Aquarium with Piranha feeding
4.  "Dracula's villa" bats fly around you
5.  One of the very few zoos that allow you to take your dog

Dracula's villa sounds interesting.  I like bats.  When we first moved here in Colorado, we would see quite a few fruit bats at dusk, but no more.

And now we come to the end of the challenge -- Whew!  This year I had a theme, Vintage Travel Posters, Australia to the Munich Zoo, which I thought would be easier, but it turns out, not so much.  Thank you to all of you who visited.

Those far away places with strange sounding names,
Far away over the sea,
Those far away places I've been dreaming about,
from a book that I took from a shelf."



17 comments:

  1. wow---what a gorgeous poster--maybe my favorite---congrats on a job well done :)

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  2. Congratulations for taking on the challenge - and doing such a great job! I admire you. I agree with Lynn - maybe my favorite poster.

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    1. Thanks, CQ -- this poster would look great in a powder room!

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  3. Thanks Lynn: I know I will keep in touch after the challenge. Good luck to you and your very lyrical writing.

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  4. draculas villa definitely piques my interest! this zoo puts me in mind of the vienna zoo mentioned in the world according to garp :) great post!

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    1. Now I have to read the book. There is a book called "The Zoo Keeper's Wife" which I have not read which is on a stack next to my bed. I have been avoiding it because it is about hiding Jews during the Holocaust in the zoo itself. I have to read books like that during the light of day, not before sleeping. Have you read it?

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    2. the world according to garp is an absolute must read! its one of those books that leaves echoes. funny you should mention the zoo keepers wife i also currently have a copy laying in one of my stacks i really should get around to reading it...

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  5. Hiya .. love the rouged flamingo .. they are amazing birds. The poster is delightful to see - I have to come and see all your postings again .. thanks for touching sides at Z ... I'll get to catch up.

    Zoos are interesting in their development and their research as been critical in many areas ...I'm glad the Munich zoo has reopened with much better conditions ..

    Cheers Hilary

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    1. Here in Colorado there is an amazing lion rescue story. 25 Circus lions were rescued from Bolvia and now live in a huge outdoor area where they can roam free, no more tricks or being caged. I will write a blog about the whole operation when I recover from the A-Z Challenge. Also I need to see it for myself. Thanks Hilary.

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  6. Congrats on finishing. It was a great theme and I loved how the posters brought up all sorts of questions about history.

    I walked through a bat reserve while travelling where they flew all around you, it was in Bali I think. Very cool!

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  7. Bats in Bali, who would have thought? The world itself is filled with miracles and wonders, if only Man could "get it right." Hope to keep up the connection and see what you are up to, writing is your passion.

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  8. A zoo you can take your dog. Wow!

    Oh, and I love bats too. Gorgeous little creatures.

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  9. I absolutely love your cover photo! I've wanted to go to Alaska for the longest time.
    I came across your blog on the A to Z Challenge, and I wanted to nominate you for a Liebster Award :)
    You can check out the details here:
    http://joanneclancy.blogspot.ie/

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  10. I have given you the Liebster Award for bloggers with less than 200 people! Visit my blog so you know what to do! I have linked your blog to mine. :) I found you on A to Z!
    http://croninandhanrahan.blogspot.com/

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  11. To me bats are very scary. I like your style of writing. I am sure that you must have made a lot of scary creature lovable.

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  12. Hi LoW .. congratulations on your theme - I'd have been here like a shot in the A-Z .. but Reader never prompted me ... never mind I'm here now!

    These were fascinating and I loved the research you were able to do for us ... cheers Hilary

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  13. Wendy, Joanne, Veronica, Munir and Hilary: Thanks for your comments. I have been remiss in blog attention this past week, but for a good reason for which I will write a post later, meanwhile, I hope you can help me with my latest post about the London Tube.

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