Anyone who was in quarantine during the COVID-19 knows how stressful such a "house arrest" can be, even if it only lasts a few weeks. For the pigs at the Zoo Görlitz, "stall arrest" has been officially imposed for over two years due to African swine fever. This is incompatible with the zoo's commitment to animal welfare. A solution was urgently needed to once again provide the pigs with the neccessary exercise and stimulation.
Thus, in 2023, the first pig terrarium was created at our zoo. In the large, partially glass-walled space, visitors can once again watch the piglets frolic or doze on the large platform. And even feeding is possible - contact free - through the wall. However, the terrarium is only a temporary solution, as we are still fighting to allow our pigs access to the outdoor enclosure again.
Around the Pig terrarium, visitors can learn how African swine fever and the measures to contain it pose challenges not only for livestock farmers. Many wild pig species around the world are now highly endangered and protective fences fragment the habitats of wild animals. Since pathogens usually spread through human travel, numerous animal diseases are now widespread across the globe. With a new "germ puzzle", even the youngest visitors can playfully learn which animals can fall ill due to viruses, fungi and parasites.
