Zoological Collection of the University

Address Universitätsplatz 4, 18055 Rostock
Opening Hours Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00, Sat 10:00–16:00
Admission Free

The university zoological collection occupies a 19th-century building near the historic university complex. It holds over 2,000 prepared specimens — mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and invertebrates — collected over two centuries of academic natural history. Entry is free, making it an easy add-on to a walk through the old town.

The collection is more scholarly than theatrical, but the specimens are well-presented and the building is handsome. The stork-with-a-spear is the undisputed star exhibit — zoologists call it a "Pfeilstorch" (arrow stork), and several such specimens have been found over the years, but this is one of the most famous.

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Among the collection's most famous specimens is a white stork with an African spear still lodged through its neck — proof that European storks winter in sub-Saharan Africa. Discovered in 1822, it was the first scientific evidence of long-distance bird migration. The stork is preserved here and still has the spear through it.