For many families, visiting Hellabrunn is traditionally associated with the opportunity not only to observe exotic inhabitants from afar but also to tactilely interact with tamed beasts. In special contact zones, children can feed or pet ponies and goats, which creates a special emotional connection with nature. In Munich, this joy was unavailable for over a year as the site remained closed for safety reasons. Now the zoo is officially opening its doors, although the visiting rules have undergone significant changes for the comfort and health of the four-legged inhabitants.
On the picturesque territory of the Mühlendorf (Mill Village), unique Bulgarian long-haired goats reside, becoming the main protagonists of the long-awaited opening. As noted in the institution’s official press release, the new measures are aimed primarily at animal welfare. From now on, the contact zone will operate in a limited mode: only on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and during school holidays in Bavaria. Visiting hours are strictly set from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. To ensure that communication takes place in a civilized manner, the process will be closely monitored by volunteers — the so-called species conservation ambassadors.
Safety measures: protecting the health of animals and visitors
In addition to caring for the peace of mind of the goats, the new regulation is dictated by serious hygienic considerations. The zoo administration explained that even with regular medical examinations, animals can remain carriers of specific microorganisms. They are not dangerous for the beasts themselves but can cause an undesirable reaction in humans. The reverse statement is also true: people can accidentally bring microbes onto the site’s territory that are harmful to ungulates.
The institution’s management also shed light on the reasons for such a prolonged pause in operation. Last year, cases of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks and other dangerous infections became more frequent in the region. As a precautionary measure, the Mühlendorf was completely mothballed. Fortunately, not a single goat in Hellabrunn fell ill, but the zoo team used this time to develop a fundamental protection concept that would allow them to protect the pets from any risks in the future as much as possible.
Emotional connection: why contact with animals is necessary for children
To prevent any infectious risks, a mandatory procedure has been introduced: every visitor is obliged to disinfect their hands both when entering the enclosure and when leaving it. Specialists emphasize that teaching the correct and careful treatment of living beings is a critically important stage in the upbringing of the younger generation.Hellabrunn curator Lena Bockreiss, who is responsible for ungulates, noted that the experience of communication in a petting zoo is invaluable. The relationship between a human and a beast is not only about cute emotions but also an important educational process. Through such touches, even the smallest guests begin to realize the value of the surrounding world and become interested in studying nature. Moreover, if all rules are followed, such contact is a positive factor for the goats themselves, who are accustomed to social interaction.
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