dan pearlman, a leading brand and experience architecture group, is celebrating the formal opening of the Rhinoceros Pagoda at Berlin Zoo, Germany.
The Rhinoceros Pagoda has earned a reputation as a “beacon for species conservation” and was developed to support the conservation of the Indian rhinoceros – one of the most successful conservation programmes ever undertaken in Asia. An opening ceremony took place on 23 June.
Visitors can learn about species conservation and see rhinos, wart hogs, and tapirs in this new area, which is situated near the zoo’s Lion Gate entrance.
Mimicking a natural habitat
The Rhinoceros Pagoda took approximately two years to build and the habitat spans around 14,000 square meters. A swamp landscape has been created with bathing pools, waterfalls, showers and mud pits, which mimics the animal’s natural habitat. A facility measuring over 2,000 square meters fulfils modern animal husbandry standards.
Indian rhinoceros require special flooring for their sensitive rhino feet since they walk on soft, marshy surfaces in their native habitat. As a result, special consideration was given to the use of extraordinarily soft materials for both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Because Indian rhinos spend so much time in the water, they have access to a 5,000-square-meter natural rhino wellness landscape that includes five bathing pools, three mud pits, and showers for their enjoyment, skin treatments, and cooling. Deadwood trees and logs can be used as convenient massage stations.
Seven Visayan warty pigs live alongside the four Indian rhinos and keep them company. However, if the enormous rhinos get too much, they can escape to their exclusive pig lounge.
Kieran Stanley, architect, comments: “The Rhinoceros Pagoda, as a beacon for species conservation, is an architecturally complex and modern homage to the historical buildings of the Berlin Zoo. In the new mixed-species facility, architecture, landscape architecture, and education are holistically coordinated. We invite guests to become part of the animals’ recreated habitat so that they can be reached by the didactically important messages about species conservation due to the spatial and emotional proximity to them.”
The project is the result of a successful partnership between dan pearlman Erlebnisarchitektur and the Berlin Zoo.
Frank Bruckmann, chairman of the supervisory board of Zoo Berlin AG. says: “The Rhinoceros Pagoda is the tallest building in the Berlin Zoo, visible as a new landmark for the zoo beyond its borders, due to the 25-meter-high tower at the center of the facility. Our guests have the unique opportunity to observe the rhinos up close and learn more about their way of life and the challenges they face.”
Inside the Rhinoceros Pagoda, visitors can discover more about the intriguing Indian rhinoceros’ homeland, learn more about their natural environment in northeastern India, and discuss the important questions of the future: What does the decline in biodiversity mean? What can we be optimistic about, and how can I help to conserve species?
Conserving an ecosystem
The Indian rhinoceros was on the brink of extinction at the turn of the twentieth century, with fewer than 200 animals left in the wild. However, because of amazing conservation efforts, this species was rescued.
The Indian rhinoceros is an important example of an “umbrella species,” whose protection benefits many other, lesser-known animal and plant species. A complete ecosystem was saved along with the rhinoceros.
Dr Andreas Knieriem, director of the Berlin Zoo and Tierpark, says: “The Rhinoceros Pagoda is a significant step in our mission to advance species conservation and raise awareness of the alarming loss of biodiversity, using the example of Indian rhinos. In the Berlin Zoo, we create a safe environment for the animals and their offspring. At the same time, we want to promote understanding of the threats they face and foster a willingness to protect these and other endangered species.”
As a result, the Berlin Zoo’s commitment to the conservation of threatened animals in their natural habitats is progressively expanding. Donations received at the Berlin Zoo are directed to the Zoological Gardens Berlin World Wild’s species conservation program, which benefits rhino conservation in India, among other projects.
Dr Bibhab Talukdar, IUCN rhino expert and CEO of the nature conservation organization Aaranyak, has been supporting the work of government agencies. He says: “We are proud of the success story of the rhinos. Thanks to the proactive measures taken by the government of Assam, not a single rhino was poached in Assam last year. Only with reliable partners like the Berlin Zoo can we continue to support the government authorities in securing the future of rhinos in India. We are very grateful for our allies in species conservation.”
dan pearlman celebrated a pioneering project in the circular economy earlier this year. Globetrotter’s new Re:Think Store in Bonn, Germany, reimagined sustainability in retail, with cleverly reused furniture (from a large bear sculpture in the entrance area to a hiking shoe testing track) and numerous second-hand items. The sustainable store concept is completed through care & repair, used goods, and equipment rentals.
