Erfurt (dpa/th) – The Erfurt Zoo will remain closed on Monday due to the highest forest fire warning level. More than eleven hectares of landscaped areas as well as several forest and pasture areas belong to the zoo. “Not only forests, but also the dry grass areas are at risk of fire,” said a zoo spokesman on Monday. Due to the size, a safe evacuation is not possible. Therefore, the zoo is “playing it safe”. It should be open again on Tuesday.
As soon as the forest fire danger level (5) takes effect, the gates of the Erfurt Zoo remain closed. With a view to the fact that the information was communicated at such short notice, the spokesman said: “We always only know in the morning if we are closed.”
Last week, a zoo day without visitors was planned in advance due to the expected high risk of forest fires. The forest fire danger level 5 ultimately did not apply that day, but the zoo still had to remain closed due to canceled services.