Chimpanzee Willi’s charming nature played a large part in convincing the management of GEWOFAG to sponsor Hellabrunn Zoo. This ensured that support for the charismatic great apes in the Jungle Pavilion was part of the sponsorship contract that was recently signed between the largest landlord in Munich and Münchener Tierpark Hellabrunn AG (Hellabrunn Zoo).

“Willi certainly made a very special impression on us that we couldn't resist. However, it is the overall work and commitment of this exemplary zoo in terms of species conservation, wild animal husbandry and environmental education that we would like to support with our sponsorship," says Dr Klaus-Michael Dengler, CEO of GEWOFAG. "We have been offering the people of Munich affordable housing and beautiful homes for generations - the zoo does a similar thing for the protection of endangered wild animals, which is vital for most of the species that are cared for – we’re a perfect match."

Verena Dietl, chair of the supervisory board of both companies and Munich Mayor, is delighted with the new partnership: "It makes sense and is beneficial for subsidiaries of the City of Munich to pool their strengths and ideas and support each other financially, but also with moral support. In the end, we are all in the same boat in our liveable Munich, which remains in calm waters thanks to this new partnership.”

"We are very pleased about GEWOFAG's commitment as a new sponsor of the zoo," says Rasem Baban, zoological director of Hellabrunn Zoo. “Sponsorship income is becoming increasingly important for the zoo, especially after two very difficult years financially. It is very important for Hellabrunn that suitable companies get involved with us and in return benefit from attractive public relations opportunities.

More information on sponsoring the zoo can be found here.