Der Tiergarten Schönbrunn im Ersten Weltkrieg

The outbreak of World War I ended a prospering period of modernization and enlargement during which Schönbrunn Zoo had succeeded in becoming one of the most beautiful zoos in the world. Many experienced animal keepers were drafted into the army and, despite all efforts to maintain normality; the difficulties of supply which were soon to follow led to the gradual decline of the zoo. The number of animals was reduced from almost 3500 to about only 400 by 1921 and subsequently the animal houses were closed to the public for several years. After the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the autumn of 1918 there were long discussions as to what should happen to the whole area of Schönbrunn, what included the fate of the menagerie. Finally almost three years later the Ministry of Economy of the new Republic of Austria took over the Schönbrunn Zoo as part of the „Schlosshauptmannschaft Schönbrunn“. Nevertheless, during this period without any real perspectives, the foundation was laid for the reconstruction of the zoo.