Schönbrunner animal stories: “Universum” shows “Life in the Zoo” – on August 20th at 8:15 p.m. on ORF 2 and on ORF ON

The Schönbrunn Zoo is much more than the oldest zoo in the world. It combines nature from all continents on 17 hectares in the middle of the city and is a living and experiencing space for people and animals at the same time. Around 70 animal keepers work at Schönbrunn Zoo to provide 8,000 animals with species-appropriate and good care. Their special closeness to the zoo animals is the focus of the “Universum” documentary “Schönbrunner Animal Stories – Life in the Zoo”, which can be seen on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 8:15 p.m. on ORF 2 and on ORF ON. For the film – a co-production by ORF, METAFILM and BMUKK, supported by TV Fund Austria, Film Fund Vienna and Cinestyria – Lukas Beck accompanied several animal keepers in their work for a year – and not just within the zoo.

Flight exercises in the middle of the city? The little falcons are excited and fidgety: it’s their very first attempt at flight – and the balcony in the middle of Vienna is an unusual launch pad. A delicate baby flying fox on a clothesline? He hangs peacefully in the kitchen with his mother; the first attempts at flight in the living room. A young cheetah traveling? “Universum” accompanies them as they take their first cautious steps in their new territory; She is supposed to bring cheetah offspring to the Vienna Zoo – coming from a German zoo. The zoo in Schönbrunn has an impact far beyond its borders, through international breeding programs and, above all, through the personal commitment of the keepers. It is no coincidence that the Schönbrunn Zoo has been voted the best zoo in Europe twice and the employees are constantly awarded international prizes for special projects. “Schönbrunner Animal Stories – Life in the Zoo” shows the closeness of the keepers to the zoo animals.

Fredi Maier is the keeper of the primates in Schönbrunn. His belief: “If you know what makes people tick, you also know what makes monkeys tick. They both have their own quirks and moods!” And you should be able to deal with that. Fredi Maier should know because he has had experience in contact with the Schönbrunn monkeys for many years. His colleague and insect expert Karl Schiechl, on the other hand, privately breeds rare beetles on his old farm in order to preserve nature’s biodiversity. Andi Eder, master of big cats, has – or so his friends claim – even adapted his movements to the animals. Gerlinde Hillebrand, a sports biologist who, as a diver, cleans the huge aquariums in Schönbrunn, is on the other hand really in love with her penguins. Nina Reinstadler also maintains an unusually maternal relationship with her animals: if there are problems, she even takes them home with her to look after them day and night. The fact that these are bats surprises many people – except the keeper.

Some of the Schönbrunn animal keepers dedicate their entire lives to the service of their charges. It is a life characterized by affection and responsibility, by disappointment and happiness – a “life in the zoo”. The film also shows other faces of a zoo: A modern zoo is a hub for species protection and international breeding programs, for research and education. This remains hidden from most visitors, but the “universe” camera has, among other things, accompanied a cheetah couple throughout the year – from their first tête-à-tête to lovemaking.

Director Lukas Beck about his film: “Filming in the zoo is much more exciting than you would think. It was like being in the wild and there is only one recipe for filming zoo animals: patience and calm! Being in the zoo outside of opening hours is something very special, and I would say there is hardly anything more beautiful: sunrise or sunset with the animals – you have to experience it to be believed! When the visitors leave, the animals change their behavior, which is also great to experience! Some animals then begin to communicate with each other. Tigers and lions, for example, then start a fascinating acoustic showdown. It’s high life in the zoo, so to speak! I didn’t expect that! And when it comes to the nurses, their professionalism and experience almost leaves me speechless.”