Zoo Dessau

Zoo Dessau (Tierpark Dessau)

With more than 120,000 visitors, the Dessau Zoo presents itself as Dessau's largest and most popular local recreation centre on 11 hectares with 500 animals in 100 species.

In animal husbandry, the focus is on keeping animals from South America and Australia, endangered domestic breeds and Eurasian small predators. The small cats are very well represented with four species: manul, Amur cat, cane cat and salt cat. Popular representatives of the large carnivores include the jaguars and the new Ussurian ruffed bears.

For children, there are various play and experience stations. Harz goats and German Karakul sheep await in two petting enclosures. Walk-through enclosures such as the crane enclosure and the wading bird enclosure invite direct observation. Visitors have direct contact with the animals when feeding the petting animals and budgies.

Excerpt from the website

Barrier-free information

Short Report as PDF

People with restricted mobility and wheelchair users

All areas relevant for testing meet the quality criteria of the label "Accessibility certified - accessible for people with walking disabilities and wheelchair users".

Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.

The Zoo Dessau is accessible via a 700 m long circular path (and side paths). In addition to classic animal enclosures, there are also two petting enclosures (Harz goats/cameroon sheep, dwarf goats/rabbits) and three walk-in enclosures (shorebirds, crown cranes, fallow deer). There are gradients of up to 6% on the signposted circular path. The paths are 140 cm to 350 cm wide and mostly easy to walk and drive on.
There are two marked parking spaces for people with disabilities (parking space size: 350 cm x 500 cm; distance to the entrance approx. 30 m).
The path from the car park to the entrance is easy to walk and drive on.
The access to the zoo is threshold-free and stepless.
The height of the counter at the cash desk (in the entrance area) is 95 cm. There is no equivalent communication possibility while sitting.
The terrarium can only be reached via stairs, all other evaluated areas in the zoo that are usable for the guest are mostly accessible without steps (door thresholds up to 8 cm).
All passageways/doors are at least 90 cm wide.
There are wheelchair accessible tables at the kiosk outside. The counter (self-service) is 96 cm high.
Benches are provided throughout the zoo.
Information as well as the animals in the outdoor enclosures and in the terrarium are mostly visible while sitting.
There is a public restroom for people with disabilities that is accessible from both sides (at least 90 cm). The grab bars in the restroom can be folded up.
Guided tours are available for people with mobility impairments and wheelchair users. Advance registration is required.
Mobile or fixed seating is available for people with mobility impairments to use during the tour.

Evaluation report: Download as PDF

People with hearing impairments and deaf people

Some information on accessibility are listed below. Detailed information can be found in the test report at the end of the text.

There is no alarm.
There is no audio induction system.
The outdoor kiosk has tables with bright, glare-free lighting and no lamps that restrict the field of vision.
There are no seating areas with low background noises.
Information and signage is provided in written form.

Evaluation report: Download as PDF

People with visual impairments and blind people

Some information on accessibility are listed below. Detailed information can be found in the test report at the end of the text.

Assistance dogs are welcome.
Some outdoor paths have visually high-contrast or tactile curb edges.
The entrance area is designed with high visual contrast.
Signage (for wayfinding) is designed with clearly legible, high-contrast text.
All elevated areas accessible to visitors are illuminated with bright, glare-free lighting.
The steps at the entrance to the terrarium are not designed with high visual contrast.
Handrails are available on both sides.
Signage in the zoo is available in easily readable text but not in Braille.
The animal enclosures are generally well-lit (daylight).
The information at the enclosures is provided exclusively in written form and is designed with high visual contrast.
Information is not available in raised lettering or Braille.