More protests planned for airport

Climate change and anti-deportation activists plan more protests at Hamburg’s airport today (22^nd August). A large number of protestors are expected, with the intention of disrupting airport flight schedules and causing delays to attract attention to their causes. Beginning in Ohsdorf at midday, the protest will surround the airport. Airport officials are hoping that flights will still run on time, and advise anyone with travel plans to arrive early at the airport and call regularly to check their flight details. A heavy police presence is also expected.

Hamburg zoo centre of polar bear controversy

Hamburg’s Hagenbeck zoo is in the middle of a controversy concerning its plans to renovate the current inadequate polar bear enclosure to cash in on the ‘knut factor’. Elderly Fanny (29) is the zoo’s only current polar bear, and displays clear signs of stress in her pacing behaviour. Critics and animal rights groups are firmly against the plans, with the plans drawing strong condemnation from Wolfgang Apel, chairman of the Animal Protection Union, ‘I already feel sorry for the polar bears that are planned to be moved to the new Hagenbeck enclosure. Polar bears do not belong in captivity’.