has the most diverse collection of hoofed mammals in Europe. Due to economic challenges, Berlin Tierpark recently issued a new master plan which identifies a number of potential attractions and revenues, though the funding for the proposed projects is not clear. Tierpark Berlin has faced several controversies in the past, including allegations in 2008 by Green Party politician Claudia Hämmerling that it illegally sold animals, such as a pygmy hippopotamus and several Asiatic black bears, for slaughter under its former director Bernhard Blaszkiewitz (also the director of the Berlin Zoo). The same year, Blaszkiewitz faced criticism for breaking the necks of several feral domestic housecat kittens at the Berlin Zoo. A polar bear cub born in 2018 was found to be the offspring of bears who were brother and sister, accidentally housed together due to a studbook error. Statistics Directors The first director (1955–1990) of the Tierpark Berlin-Friedrichsfelde, Heinrich Dathe, was a well-known scientist. He edited five scentitific journals and wrote more than 1,000 scientific and popular papers and books. He was succeeded by Bernhard Blaszkiewitz. See also List of zoos in Germany Notes External links in English Tourist attractions in Berlin Buildings and structures in Lichtenberg Zoos in Germany Zoos established in 1955 1955 establishments in East Germany