Campaign Against Big Wheel

Animal rights activists in Berlin have launched a campaign to stop controversial plans to put up a giant Ferris wheel in the German capital because they say it would disturb the sex lives of rhinos in a nearby zoo.

Investors have unveiled a 120-million-euro plan to erect a 175-meter high wheel close to the zoo in the western part of the city, hoping to attract millions of visitors. But Berlin's animal protection association is worried that light from the wheel might endanger an important rhinoceros breeding program.

Sensitive kind

"Rhinoceroses are very sensitive when it comes to reproduction and elephants, too," said Marcel Gäding, the association spokesman. "It's not that they would feel they were being watched. But the light cast by the wheel into the dark zoo would disturb their daily rhythm. They would be frightened the whole time."

Berlin Zoological Garden has successfully bred rhinos since the 1950s. Some of these endangered animals are supplied to other zoos for mating purposes. But others have been released directly into the wild in Africa.

"The zoo is making an important contribution to the protection of a species," said Gäding.

Shed light on ramifications

The animal campaigners are now hoping to persuade both the zoo and the city council, which sold the land to the investors, to get an experts' report on the wheel's ramifications for rhino reproduction.

The big wheel is regarded by its supporters as a solution to the neighborhood's economic woes. The area around the zoo has been a casualty of German reunification. Shops and businesses have closed down as shoppers have been attracted to the eastern part of the city. The nearby rail station has lost its importance since the building of a more central station further east.

Visitor magnet

"Of course, people are trying to bring attractions to the west of the city, but this should not be at the expense of the animals," said Gäding. "The planned location is far from ideal. The animals already have the noise from the station and the major roads. That's a big strain."

The planned structure would be bigger than the London Eye, which claims to be the world's biggest observation wheel at 135 metres. The Eye has been a staggering success, attracting more than 3.5 million people a year.