Under construction

Due to renovation work, the Bionicum at Nuremberg Zoo will have to temporarily close its exhibition starting from 7 October. The interactive exhibition on biomimetics is not accessible, but the Bionic Tour in the outdoor area of the zoo will still be available. Two new rallies offer biomimetic insights into the zoo.

The Bionicum has been an integral part of Nuremberg Zoo since summer 2014 and is open daily. Many visitors to the zoo also find their way to the Bionicum. Now the exhibition is closing its doors for a few weeks. This is due to renovation work on the ceiling and lighting, which also affects safety-related aspects such as fire protection. The public may also look forward to new exhibition contents such as evolution and biodiversity. ‘The exhibition as such, as well as the popular hands-on exhibits, will be retained. However, with the new areas, the Bionicum will be able to offer the public an expanded range of topics in a new splendour,’ explains the director, Dr Eva Gebauer. ‘Unfortunately, we will not be able to organise robot demonstrations during this time. However, our robot family is looking forward to their first real holiday since the opening’.

Educational institutions and interested parties will not have to do without the Bionicum during the renovation phase. In the summer, the popular Bionic Tour in the zoo was expanded with brand new stations and visitors can now experience the fascinating world of bionics at around twenty enclosures in the zoo. For example, if we want to cool down quickly and effectively on a hot summer’s day, a look at camel, kangaroo and co. will help. The thick fur of the camel insulates the animal from the heat. The unique interplay of sweat and fur is the key to camels staying cool. This also works for cooling systems, five times longer than conventional cooling systems and completely without electricity. At other stations, we learn about almost Olympic-calibre achievements in the animal kingdom. For example, the cheetah is the lone leader in sprinting and the kangaroo in the high jump and long jump. Owls fly whisper-quietly through the night, as bionic fans turn silently. Station by station, visitors playfully learn more about innovative technology and its role models in nature.

Visitors can search for bionic traces in the zoo on their own. Two different rally sheets are available at the zoo entrance and can be completed on your own. We also offer educational programmes for educational institutions in the outdoor area. And when the weather is nice, it’s always best to be surrounded by colourful autumn leaves.