Affenberg Salem Opens Its Golden Jubilee Season
The Affenberg in Salem, located in the scenic Bodensee region, is set to kick off its jubilee season this Saturday, marking an impressive 50 years since its inauguration. This beloved tourist attraction is home to around 200 fascinating Berber monkeys, and visitors will notice an exciting new feature right at the entrance. The entrance area, which leads into the expansive 20-hectare site where the monkeys reside, has been completely redesigned. The new features include artificial rocks and caverns that pay homage to the animals' natural habitat in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco.
Roland Hilgartner, the park director and biologist, expressed his excitement: "We have been working on this entrance concept for a long time, and it is fantastic that everything is ready just in time for the start of our anniversary year." Additionally, a special exhibition detailing the history of the Affenberg is slated to open in the main building later this year.
The Legacy of Affenberg and Its Growing Wildlife
The Affenberg was founded 50 years ago by the French Baron Gilbert de Turkheim, who had already established two similar parks in France. Since then, it has evolved into one of the top attractions in the Bodensee area, drawing not just tourists but also researchers who study the behavior of Berber monkeys. Currently, these monkeys are preparing for the arrival of new offspring, expected within the next month or two, while the storks in the area are also getting ready for their young. The stork colony at Affenberg has flourished over the years, with the first pairs being introduced in 1978. Today, Salem boasts the largest free-flying stork colony in Southern Germany, with approximately 50 breeding pairs.
Visitors to the Affenberg can expect lively scenes, with young storks gathering for their migratory flights above while playful baby monkeys frolic in the water below. The recent news of a Berber monkey escaping its enclosure generated quite a buzz, but fortunately, the animal was safely recaptured and welcomed back into the fold.
With new developments and a rich history to explore, the Affenberg Salem invites guests to partake in a celebration of nature and wildlife, commemorating half a century of cherished memories and future adventures. As reported by swr.de.
