After the death of a wealthy patron in the USA, Cologne Zoo has had a windfall for many years to come.
Elizabeth Reichert, who promised the zoo years ago a large inheritance in the event of her death, died in mid-February 2022 at the age of 96, the zoo announced on Wednesday.
In the months after her death, estate issues were settled as previously agreed.
Reichert leaves the zoo around 26 million US dollars (around 24.5 million euros).
The sum was brought into a foundation, from which the zoo will henceforth receive an annual dividend payment.
The first payment has already arrived: more than $700,000.
The estate promise of the wealthy American had already caused a stir in 2017.
The childless Elizabeth Reichert herself came from Cologne.
There she met Arnulf Reichert in 1944 – who, as a Jew, had to hide from the Nazis.
After the war, the couple emigrated to the USA, where they skillfully built up a pet wholesale business.
Arnulf Reichert died in 1998.
The couple wanted to support the Cologne Zoo with their money "because of their gratitude to Cologne and their love for animals," the zoo said.
Nevertheless, Elizabeth Reichert's wish was that the funds should be used entirely "for de Dierche".
So for the "further development of animal husbandry", as the zoo put it in High German - for animal facilities.