Skip to main content
  • Reticulated giraffe
    Breitmaulnashörner Teshi und Rami in der Lewa Savanne im Zoo Zürich.
    Grevy's zebras at Zurich Zoo.
    Tüpfelhyäne Masangao in der Lewa Savanne.
    Meerkat

    Lewa Savanna

    The Lewa Savanna is located beneath Kaeng Krachan Elephant Park and is the zoo’s most spacious exhibit. It is the third key project outlined in Zoo Zurich’s master plan as presented in 1993, following Masoala Rainforest (2003) and Kaeng Krachan Elephant Park (2014).

    The most striking feature of the 5.6 hectares spanning exhibit are the generous open spaces for giraffes, rhinos and other animals as well as the large African baobab trees. The Lewa Savanna shall increase the visitors’ interest in wildlife, raise awareness about the threats to wildlife and natural habitats, highlight the Zoo’s partnership with Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, and allow visitors to personally contribute to the protection of threatened species.

    Giacobbo/Müller auf dem Weg in die Lewa Savanne

    Webcam at the watering hole

    You may not see animals at all times on the webcam.

    Animals

    15 animal species live in the new Lewa Savanna at Zoo Zurich: ten mammal species, three bird species and two reptile species.

    Focus species: White rhino, Reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra.

    Mammals

    • Crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata)
    • Dahomey cattle (Bos taurus f. dom.)
    • Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi)
    • Impala (Aepyceros melampus)
    • Meerkat (Suricata suricatta)
    • Naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber)
    • Reticulated giraffe (Giraffa reticulata)
    • Scimitar horned oryx (Oryx dammah)
    • Spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta)
    • White rhino (Ceratotherium simum simum)

    Birds

    • Grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus)
    • Helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris)
    • South African ostrich (Struthio camelus)

    Reptiles

    • Giant plated lizard (Gerrhosaurus validus)
    • Pancake tortoise (Malacochersus tornieri)

    Species in international breeding programmes: Southern White rhino, Grevy’s zebra, Reticulated giraffe, Scimitar horned oryx, Pancake tortoise, Spotted hyaena.

    Breeding Programmes

    ind information on all these animal species in our animal lexicon:

    Take me there
     

    Construction and Figures

    Selected Key Figures

    • Total area: 5.6 ha
    • Volume watering hole: ca. 180 m3
    • Height large baobab: 19 m
    • Circumference large baobab: 23 m
    • Diameter large baobab trunk: 7,5 m
    • Highest Kopje rock: 13 m
    • Number of feeding trees: 4
    • Number of feeding lots: 28 automatic feeders with 36 dispensers in total

    Construction

    Time lapse video of the construction site.

    Lewa-Diary

    News, photos and videos about the creation of the Lewa Savanna from final phase til opening (in German):

    Lewa-Diary

    Webcams and videos

    Webcams and videos of the Lewa Savanna.

    Webcam at the giraffe's house

    You may not see animals at all times on the webcam.

    Lewa-Playlist

    Key figures

    Opening: 6 June 2020
    Area: 5.6 ha
    Animals: 15 species
    Focus species: rhino, giraffe, zebra
    Cost: CHF 56 m., funded with donations

    Giraffenfütterung im Zoo Zürich
    12. December 2024
    13:30 - 13:45

    Giraffe feeding

    • Undertaking depending on day
    • Expériences avec les animaux
    • Lewa savanna
    Giraffenfütterung im Zoo Zürich
    12. December 2024
    13:30 - 13:45

    Giraffe feeding

    • Undertaking depending on day
    • Tiererlebnisse
    • Lewa savanna
    Giraffenfütterung im Zoo Zürich
    12. December 2024
    13:30 - 13:45

    Giraffe feeding

    • Undertaking depending on day
    • Animal Experiences
    • Lewa savanna