Chimpanzee Baby Girl Needs a Name: Hellabrunn Zoo Invites Public Participation
Munich, March 20, 2026 – Exciting news from Hellabrunn Zoo! The chimpanzee baby born on February 14, 2026, has been confirmed as a female. The zoo is now calling on the public to help choose her name. Visitors can submit name suggestions starting with the letter ‘A’ via QR code at the ape house from March 20 to March 25. The ‘A’ is significant as it marks the restart of the zoo’s alphabetical naming system for 2026. Suggestions with an African connection, reflecting the chimpanzees’ origin, are particularly encouraged. Participants have the chance to win a family annual pass and an exclusive meet & greet with the zookeeper team.
The birth of the baby chimpanzee, daughter of Zenta and Jambo, is the first at Hellabrunn in over 20 years and is considered a vital contribution to species conservation. Mother Zenta, 45, born at Hellabrunn herself, is caring for her offspring with experienced dedication.
Spring Awakening at Hellabrunn Zoo: New Life and Renewed Facilities
As spring takes hold, Hellabrunn Zoo is bursting with new life. Milder weather has drawn many animals, including orangutans, chimpanzees, gibbons, and gorillas, back to their outdoor enclosures. The zoo grounds are also transforming with the bloom of winter aconites, snowdrops, and crocuses, soon to be joined by daffodils and hyacinths, thanks to over 3,000 bulbs planted in the autumn.
Behind the scenes, the zoo is preparing for the new season: paths are being cleaned, gravel removed, and moats refilled. New seating and sun loungers, including an ‘Erdmännchenbank’ (meerkat bench), invite visitors to relax. Beyond the chimpanzee baby, other new arrivals include a sloth baby, a young takin, and several Girgentana goats. The zoo’s gastronomy services are expanding, and summer opening hours until 6 PM will begin at the end of March.
Zoo Director Rasem Baban highlighted the beauty of the large spring flower meadow near the raccoons and storks, emphasizing its importance as a food source for native wildlife and a visual delight after winter.
Petting Zoo Reopens with Enhanced Hygiene Measures
The petting zoo, featuring Bulgarian long-haired goats in the Mühlendorf area, reopened on the weekend of March 7/8. To ensure the safety of both animals and visitors, new hygiene regulations are in place. The area will now be open only on weekends, public holidays, and during Bavarian school holidays from 10 AM to 4 PM. Volunteer species conservation ambassadors will supervise the area, providing information and ensuring hygiene rules are followed. Hand disinfection is mandatory upon entering and exiting, with washing facilities nearby. Curator Lena Bockreiß stressed the importance of such encounters for fostering awareness of rare breeds like the Bulgarian long-haired goat.
Recent Arrivals and Conservation Efforts at Hellabrunn Zoo
Hellabrunn Zoo has seen a flurry of new arrivals and significant conservation efforts in recent months:
- New Male Animals (November 19, 2025): Four new males – a zebra stallion, a moose bull, a greater kudu, and a Mhorr gazelle buck – have joined the zoo, boosting breeding programs, particularly for endangered species like the Hartmann’s mountain zebra and the critically endangered Mhorr gazelle.
- Pied Tamarins (November 13, 2025): An adult pair with a young pied tamarin, an acutely endangered monkey species from the central Amazon, have moved into the ‘World of Small Monkeys,’ aiming to raise awareness about these often-overlooked primates.
- Blue-faced Vervet Monkeys (October 28, 2025): Two female blue-faced vervet monkeys from France have joined the male already at Hellabrunn, forming a new group of these colorful African primates, with hopes for future offspring.
- Kunekune Piglets (September 8, 2025): After a year’s break, six Kunekune piglets were born in the Mühlendorf, a significant success for the conservation of this rare domestic pig breed.
- Przewalski’s Horse Stallion (August 28, 2025): A new Przewalski’s horse stallion from Edinburgh Zoo arrived in July 2025 to join two mares, continuing the zoo’s long tradition of preserving this last true wild horse species.
Upcoming Attractions: Giant Pandas in 2028
Looking ahead, Hellabrunn Zoo is preparing for a major attraction. On January 21, 2026, it was announced that Munich will receive two giant pandas from China. A new enclosure for the pandas and any potential offspring will be built in the Asian section of the Geo-Zoo by 2028. This species conservation project will see the giant panda pair reside in Munich for at least ten years.
The zoo also welcomed a new female Red Panda, Yoko, in December 2025, who has already paired with male Justin, with hopes for offspring. Red pandas, though not related to giant pandas, share a love for bamboo and are also endangered.
Festive Activities and Aquatic Discoveries
During the festive season, zookeepers traditionally decorated Christmas trees for the animals, providing enrichment and promoting natural foraging behaviors. In early December 2025, Santa Claus made an early visit to the zoo, bringing pre-Christmas cheer and treats for children.
The aquarium also saw new inhabitants and breeding successes, including a pair of damselfish caring for their brood and the arrival of new species like garden eels and paddlefish. Seahorses continue to breed regularly, with the males taking on the role of brood care.
Finally, the Hellabrunn Zoo celebrated the successful breeding of two King Penguin chicks in late summer 2025, a significant achievement for this endangered species. The chicks are thriving, and their development can be observed in the Polar World.
Hellabrunn Zoo continues its dedication to species conservation, education, and providing an engaging experience for visitors of all ages.
Source: https://www.muenchen.de/sehenswuerdigkeiten/tierpark-hellabrunn/nachrichten-aktuelles-geozoo-muenchen
