The BODY WORLDS of Animals features a variety of fascinating specimens as well as unique full-body plastinates, including giraffe, bear, gorilla, shark, ostrich, elephant and many more.

More vivid than any reference book, the exhibition offers unique insights into the nervous system, bone structure, musculature and organs of our animal relatives.

Plastination was invented in 1977 by Dr Gunther von Hagens, a medical doctor and scientist, and has been continuously developed ever since. Plastination is a preservation method that makes it possible to stop the decomposition of the dead body and produce durable anatomical preparations for scientific and medical education.

Plastination involves removing all body fluids and soluble fats from a specimen. The next step is vacuum impregnation, where the body fluids are replaced with reactive resins and elastomers. This is followed by curing by light, heat or certain gases. This produces solid, odourless and permanently durable preparations. Here you can find more information about Technik der Plastination.

None of the animals shown in the exhibition BODY WORLDS of Animals were killed for the purpose of plastination. Most of the animals died of natural causes. They are donations from national and international zoological gardens and animal parks, some of which wish to remain anonymous. Others agree to the publication of the origin of the animals. For example, the Hanover Zoo donated the lowland gorilla „Artis“, the Neunkirch Zoo donated the elephants „Samba“ and „Chiana“ as well as a giraffe, to name but a few animals. The Institute for Plastination depends on animal donations and is basically interested in further donations. All necessary documents for the CITES-listed animals are in the possession of the Institute for Plastination.

Looking under the skin of animals and understanding the fragility of the inner life sharpens the sense for the preciousness of life, for nature and its threatened biodiversity. The exhibitions of BODY WORLDS of Animals aim to inform a wide audience about the inner life and functions of the animal body. The exhibitions aim to awaken interest in anatomy and physiology and to expand knowledge in these areas in the long term.

Prior to the initial issuance, an independent ethnics committee of distinguished theologians, ethicists, scientists, and physicians was convened and tasked with reviewing the issuance. In 2017, the results of this initial review were subjected to another expert review. The results of these reviews are available im Pressebereich of the official BODY WORLDS website.

The BODY WORLDS of animals are didactically prepared so that they are also suitable for children and not only for adult laymen and experts. The plastinates impress old and young with their size and the variety of details that are hidden in the body of animals during their life. They satisfy visitors’ natural curiosity and thirst for knowledge and offer exciting answers to many questions, such as why an elephant’s trunk is so flexible, what a giraffe’s tongue does or why the muscular bear has such “bear powers”.

The BODY WORLDS of animals sensitize even the youngest visitors to the fragility of even the largest and strongest animals. Children thus naturally develop a greater appreciation for animals and more respect for the lives of all living creatures.

There is no age restriction for visiting the exhibition for children and young people accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parents and teachers should decide for themselves whether the children and young people in their care are sufficiently prepared for a visit to BODY WORLDS. Information material for preparation and follow-up of the visit is available for free download on the Lehrer & Eltern page.