WELT Documentary | ALONE AMONG PREDATORS: Be a Night Guard at the Gelsenkirchen Zoo | WELT Documentary Magazine @WELTDocumentary | Uploaded June 2024 | Updated October 2024, 1 hour ago.
ALONE AMONG PREDATORS: Be a Night Guard at the Gelsenkirchen Zoo | WELT Documentary Magazine
When Gelsenkirchen settles into the quiet of the night, a special shift begins for Martin Althaus. His workplace? The zoo. His task? Ensuring all animals are well, in their designated places, and keeping unwanted guests at bay. Althaus’s nights are filled with checking doors and gates and observing the nocturnal activities of the animals.
With keen eyes and sensitive ears, Althaus sets off through the zoo. His route starts at the social station, the daytime gathering place for the animal keepers, which is deserted at night. An essential tool is the logbook, where the keepers note any special incidents. If no issues are recorded, Althaus can begin his rounds.
The nighttime stillness creates a unique atmosphere where the sounds of the animals stand out. From sea lions to polar bears, wolves, and lions—Althaus encounters a microcosm of the animal kingdom in one night. He talks to the animals to reassure them and prevent stress. This special communication highlights the deep bond between Althaus and the zoo's inhabitants.
Although he is the only person among 900 animals, Althaus never feels alone. In emergencies, he would contact the animal keepers, vets, or the police. So far, he has been spared encounters with intruders or escaping animals. Nevertheless, he knows that respect for the situation, not fear, is the best companion in his job.
Martin Althaus's work is more than just a job; it’s a calling. For two years, he has spent his nights in the zoo, enjoying the tranquility and closeness to the animals. He shares his passion for the work with his wife, who is a zookeeper during the day. He has a special relationship with Helmut, a tortoise that experienced an impressive recovery thanks to innovative techniques.
Working at the zoo at night is an unusual but fascinating profession that offers insights into the hidden side of the animal world. When night ends and both humans and animals awaken, Martin Althaus’s shift also comes to an end—after 16 kilometers of walking through a zoo that reveals a different face in the dark.
#zoo #nightguard #weltdocumentary
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ALONE AMONG PREDATORS: Be a Night Guard at the Gelsenkirchen Zoo | WELT Documentary Magazine
When Gelsenkirchen settles into the quiet of the night, a special shift begins for Martin Althaus. His workplace? The zoo. His task? Ensuring all animals are well, in their designated places, and keeping unwanted guests at bay. Althaus’s nights are filled with checking doors and gates and observing the nocturnal activities of the animals.
With keen eyes and sensitive ears, Althaus sets off through the zoo. His route starts at the social station, the daytime gathering place for the animal keepers, which is deserted at night. An essential tool is the logbook, where the keepers note any special incidents. If no issues are recorded, Althaus can begin his rounds.
The nighttime stillness creates a unique atmosphere where the sounds of the animals stand out. From sea lions to polar bears, wolves, and lions—Althaus encounters a microcosm of the animal kingdom in one night. He talks to the animals to reassure them and prevent stress. This special communication highlights the deep bond between Althaus and the zoo's inhabitants.
Although he is the only person among 900 animals, Althaus never feels alone. In emergencies, he would contact the animal keepers, vets, or the police. So far, he has been spared encounters with intruders or escaping animals. Nevertheless, he knows that respect for the situation, not fear, is the best companion in his job.
Martin Althaus's work is more than just a job; it’s a calling. For two years, he has spent his nights in the zoo, enjoying the tranquility and closeness to the animals. He shares his passion for the work with his wife, who is a zookeeper during the day. He has a special relationship with Helmut, a tortoise that experienced an impressive recovery thanks to innovative techniques.
Working at the zoo at night is an unusual but fascinating profession that offers insights into the hidden side of the animal world. When night ends and both humans and animals awaken, Martin Althaus’s shift also comes to an end—after 16 kilometers of walking through a zoo that reveals a different face in the dark.
#zoo #nightguard #weltdocumentary
📺 Watch more documentaries youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-5sURDcN_Zl8hBqkvZ6uXFpP3t55HU9s
🔔 Subscribe to our full documentary channel
youtube.com/channel/UCBAeFXaLV1ZqKqc-Uf3pKaA?sub_confirmation=1
