First showcase project on display at Chemnitz Zoo
Pupils highlight the dangers of palm oil to the rainforest
In June 2026, Year 8 pupils at the Stefan-Heym-Gymnasium presented their first display case project on the topic ‘Palm oil as a threat to our rainforest and its biodiversity’ at Chemnitz Zoo and then visited the zoo’s Tropical House to gain a vivid, first-hand understanding of the importance of tropical habitats and their biodiversity.
For the project, the pupils researched the impact of palm oil cultivation on tropical rainforests and endangered animal species, and presented their findings in a creative way. The result is an informative poster, which has been displayed in the showcase in the zoo’s bird enclosure. The poster is complemented by a podcast they produced themselves. Visitors can access the podcast directly via a QR code on the poster and explore the topic in greater depth.
The poster will now be on display at the zoo for the next six months and can be viewed by all visitors. After that, the next school will have the opportunity to design the display case with their own project.
Since the start of this year, Chemnitz Zoo has been offering schools the chance to play an active role in shaping the zoo. A display case is available in the Bird Enclosure for this purpose, where pupils can present their work on nature conservation and species protection. The aim is to raise young people’s awareness of important environmental issues whilst providing them with a platform to present their ideas and commitment to a wider public.
Applications for the display case project from interested schools wishing to explore nature conservation and species protection topics can be submitted at any time by email to tierpark(at)stadt-chemnitz.de.
Opening hours (April to September)
Chemnitz Zoo: daily, 9 am to 7 pm
Oberrabenstein Wildlife Park: daily, 9 am to 6 pm
Last admission and ticket office closes one hour before closing time
www.tierpark-chemnitz.de