Masterplan for the zoo

Thomas Paarmann

Since 2007, Tierparkfreunde Chemnitz e. V. has been organising projects at the zoo and wildlife park to make the two facilities even more attractive for visitors. They raise money, talk to sponsors and carry out voluntary work: for example, the construction of the meerkat enclosure in 2008, the renovation of the deer pen in 2015, the foyer design of the tropical house in 2017 and the wildcat enclosure in 2019. These are all projects that would not have been possible without the active support of the Friends' Association. A few weeks ago, Tierparkfreunde e. V. was able to open the latest attraction at the zoo: the hyena enclosure. Chairman Thomas Paarmann explains what else the association has planned for the coming years.

Have you been involved since the association was founded in 2007?
Thomas Paarmann: I co-founded the current association and was also involved in the previous association. However, there were disagreements between the chairman and the zoo director at the time, so we founded a new association in order to be able to fulfil our tasks.

How is the Friends of the Zoo Association made up?
The Friends' Association is made up of voluntary members. We have both young and older members. We are a relatively small association, but a powerful one with a great deal of expertise in various areas.

Where does this knowledge come from?
Our members work in different professions. They bring the experience they have gained in their professional lives to the association. For example, a former savings bank employee is our treasurer. The ladies on the board and my predecessor, who are now of retirement age, were in management positions and know how to manage projects, lead staff and motivate people. I think that's a pretty cool mix. I'm a trained deep-space carer and also studied biology. I worked at Chemnitz Zoo from 1986 to 1988 and then spent three years in Leipzig, where I also studied. This no longer has much to do with my current job as a marketing consultant, but my affinity with zoos has always remained.

Why is a support organisation important for the zoo?
As an association, for example, we have different conditions when it comes to awarding construction projects. We don't have to launch a Europe-wide call for tenders and occasionally receive sponsorship for services. In the case of the hyena enclosure in particular, this meant that we stayed almost 80,000 euros below the estimated costs and were finished in a very short time. Association members also help directly at the zoo, for example with tidying up or gardening work.
or gardening work.

The former lion enclosure at the zoo was recently remodelled and redesigned within eight months at a cost of 350,000 euros. The 800 square metres, with numerous caves, hiding places and activities, are now the new home for three spotted hyenas. This is the first visible project of the masterplan, which was approved by the city council in 2018, for the public. "You need a masterplan like this as a guideline for the further development of the zoo," explains Thomas Paarmann. "Our ambitious goal is to work through one project after another and spend half a million euros per year."

A considerable sum. Are you optimistic that the masterplan can be realised despite the city's current tight budget situation?
Yes, the plank I'm drilling here is thick and I've been drilling it for over 30 years. So if I were to give up quickly, it wouldn't work. I'm actually in good spirits because the Lord Mayor Sven Schulze is interested in the zoo. That's why he opened the hyena enclosure. The masterplan costs no more than a large school. The political will must be there. We have the support of the population
we have. We have always received a lot of encouragement here.

Thomas Paarmann hardly allows himself and the association any rest. After the completion of the hyena enclosure, further major projects await the association. A badger enclosure is to be built in the game enclosure. "Next to the new wildcat enclosure, where the old marten enclosure still stands, on this foundation. It's a small project. I'm going to say around 100,000 euros," says Paarmann. For the first time, a large playground will be created within the zoo on the site of the former snow goat enclosure, right next to the Bactrian camels. In line with the master plan's motto "A journey through the history of the earth", this 1,500 square metre area with a mammoth slide, earth hut and climbing course will take up the theme of the Ice Age in a playful way. Attached to the playground will be an area for gophers, which will allow direct contact with the animals without fencing via integrated steps and a crawling tunnel to meet the cute rodents "at eye level". Wide concrete paths and disruptive stable buildings will be removed and replaced with plenty of greenery and a natural design. Directly below this enclosure, the former ibex/snow goat enclosure with djeladas (blood-breasted baboons) - an extremely attractive species of great ape - will provide a comfortable home on 2,750 square metres. Here, too, old stable buildings will disappear and be replaced by green timber-frame buildings integrated into the slope. In total, the two facilities will cost around 750,000 euros and will be financed entirely by the "Tierparkfreunde Chemnitz e. V." association. The completion date is April 2022.

How are the projects being financed?
As already mentioned, we have experienced enormous popularity among the Chemnitz population in recent years. The number of animal sponsorships almost doubled in 2020 to almost 400, in addition to bequests from Chemnitz families and the support of numerous companies. We are also asking all animal lovers in the region for their support. We have also come up with something special. Under the motto
"Time travel to the Ice Age", interested parties can purchase "sponsorships" for Ice Age animals and at the same time buy their ticket for their own time travel to the opening in spring 2022. It starts at 20 euros for a dodo, a mammoth sponsorship costs 1,000 euros. This campaign is supported by a ticket provider. Donors can easily make their donation via Paypal on the association's website and receive their receipt immediately to print out or, if desired, by post. It couldn't be simpler. Of course, in addition to this "time travel ticket", there is also a bonus depending on the amount donated. You can find all the information on our homepage.

How much money has the Friends of the Zoo donated or spent over the past 14 years?
I would say 1.5 million euros.

Although you were born in Chemnitz, you now live in Leipzig. Why do you support Chemnitz Zoo?
I was a holiday helper at the zoo for the first time when I was 13. I had to cheat with my date of birth because it was only possible from 14. But I really wanted to go to the zoo. That was always my big dream. After my A-levels, I wanted to study biology. But I had to spend four years in the army first. That was out of the question, so I started here as an unskilled animal keeper. I had to go to Leipzig for my training. After the political change, I was allowed to study biology after all.

Where do you see the zoo in the year of the European Capital of Culture 2025?
Even though I live in Leipzig, I was thrilled to receive the title of European Capital of Culture. I think that the story we tell at the Tierpark, with its journey through the history of the earth, is absolutely part of the European Capital of Culture. We struggled a lot with the creators of the masterplan. The original approach was to make the zoo a bit prettier and build a kind of small Leipzig. That was too short-sighted for us, because we are not little Leipzig. We are Chemnitz and the city is different. Chemnitz would benefit from more local colour. That's what we're trying to do now.

Is the attitude of the people of Chemnitz towards their city improving?
It's slowly improving. A new generation is coming, you can tell. What I like about Chemnitz is that the past is definitely appreciated. Here, people first look at what we have and what we can do with the existing potential in a pragmatic way, perhaps with one or two compromises. Specifically in relation to the zoo: For example, today's tropical house was the dining room of the former Diamant-Werke culture centre. And the zoo school is located in the building of the former Diamant-Werke kindergarten. And we will also utilise the wonderful existing grounds instead of "over-decorating" them. The people of Chemnitz identify strongly with "their" zoo. Animal sponsorships doubled in 2020.

Are you still looking for more animal sponsors?
Yes, of course. It also happens that there are several sponsors for animals. Take the meerkats, for example. They are one of our favourite animals at the zoo. The sponsorships are more about symbolism. People show their commitment to the facility. And they help us to realise projects like the hyena enclosure. So if you want to support the zoo, you can do so with as little as 15 euros. That's how much it costs to sponsor a frog. For a hippopotamus it would be 700 euros.