Begehbare Freiflugvoliere für Störche, Ibisse und Enten im Opel-Zoo Kronberg: Walk-through aviary for storks, ibisses and ducks at the Opel-Zoo Kronberg

The new “Walk-through aviary” at the Opel-Zoo Kronberg, Germany, which was opened in September 2008 after a ten months construction period, is described. Covering around 1450m2 and being up to 12.5 m high this aviary is one of the biggest in German zoos. The technical innovation is the first use of a stainless steel mash, which was permanent darkened using a chemical reaction. This method is named: INOX-Spectral ® - technique.The author explains the decision-making for the construction and gives an overview of the first year of keeping the birds in this aviary. The public reaction to this building, which is unlikely for the overall animal keeping attitude at the Opel-Zoo, is also covered by this article.