The Zoo was founded in 1956 by Georg von Opel, and covers 27 hectares (66.7 acres).

1,600 animals from 200 species live in the Zoo, including african elephants.

Vauka sired two calves with Opeline: Afrika born 1965, and the bull Afrikano 1968.

Like all bull elephants, Conti and Vauka became more and more aggressive, and they were euthanized in 1971 and 1977, respectively.

Afrikano died in 1981 due to wounds he got from spike nails in his stable, and Afrika died in 1982, the same year as the female Toto was bought from Munich Zoo.