The Cologne Zoo is Germany's third oldest zoo. It has a long history and is a much-loved place to visit. In 1863, the elephant house was the first building to be opened. The monkey-island has been there since 1914, and is a home for hundreds of monkeys of every age. In 1947, the zoo was reopened after a long closure. It is now four times the size and even more fascinating. Since 1960, each year a new attraction has been added. An owl-house was built in 1997, and in April of this year a new 'rainforest' was opened. It is inside a huge building with palm trees and humid, tropical air. Paths weave through stone and over bamboo bridges. Amongst the exhibits is plenty of information about the rainforests and the man's ecological threat to them. The feeding times are always popular. At the end of your visit, stop by the Zoo-venir shop for a postcard or a T-shirt featuring your favourite animal. Lots more information can be found on the zoo websit e. The zoo with its historical buildings is situated right down in the centre of Cologne. Keeping primates is its speciality, but it also boasts many other rare species, e.g. okapis, Indian rhinoceroses, red pandas, tree-kangaroos and Siberian tigers. The South America House in the style of a Russian cathedral shows rare New World monkeys, for example Venezuelan red howlers, tamarins and marmosets. The cages are linked by wire runways above the visitors heads, some animals run free. The Madagascar House presents dozens of lemurs, whose natural habitat is threatened by destruction, and other primates. Sclater’s black lemurs, black-and-white ruffed lemurs, greater bamboo lemurs and lion-tailed macaques dwell here. The Ape Jungle House accomodates lowland gorillas, orang-utans and bonobos. Breeding has been very successful at the exhibits furnished with nets, ropes and climbing trees. All three species have spacious green landscaped outdoor enclosures. A large aquarium-terrarium is also part of the zoo. It presents more than 40