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News from Sihlwald and Langenberg
Two lynxes from Wildnispark Zurich
are shown on German television
Two lynxes from Wildnispark Zurich make an appearance on KIKA/ZDF’s TV screen during prime time.
Vreni with her cub and Wangari during her release into the wild with the German Minister of the Environment.
We can certainly be a little proud of that!
See the programme (segment starts at the 4-minute mark)
Find out more about our released lynx
Google donates $100,000
Double Recognition for the Wildnispark Zurich Foundation
Google employees in Zurich have nominated Wildnispark Zurich for a grant from Google.org. The award is doubly valuable: it reflects the employees’ appreciation and supports a species conservation project for lynx.
As a popular destination for experiencing nature, Wildnispark Zurich is receiving a grant of $100,000 from Google.org. The funds will benefit the “Leap into Freedom” project, which prepares lynx at the Langenberg Wildlife Park for life in the wild. On Thursday, October 29, Karin Hindenlang Clerc, Executive Director of Wildnispark Zurich, personally accepted the symbolic check.
Young otter in Sihlwald
Shortly before the end of the year, our otters had another cub. With a little luck, you might be able to spot it in the lower enclosure in Sihlwald.
Did you know that young otters, just like humans, have to learn how to swim first? Animal keeper Shani Baumgartner was able to capture the scene on video.
Another Litter for Female Lynx Vreni
Successful Release into the Wild
Good news from the Thuringian Forest: for the first time, two animals released into the wild as part of the "Luch-Thuringia" project have produced offspring together.
Last week, a camera trap captured an image of the female lynx Vreni with a cub. The project managers of “Luchs-Thüringen” believe it is highly likely that the male lynx Ionel is the father. This would mark the first time that two animals released into the wild as part of the project have produced offspring together.
Collaborative Efforts for Species Conservation
Pressrelease Zooschweiz
Today at Bern Animal Park, Switzerland’s scientifically managed zoos demonstrated how they contribute to the conservation of biodiversity: through internationally coordinated breeding programs, research, education, and concrete projects to protect biodiversity. At the heart of this effort is the so-called “One Plan Approach” -- an approach that takes a holistic view of the protection of animals in the wild and in human care.
The Wildnispark Zurich Foundation is one of Switzerland’s scientifically managed zoos. The seven zoos organized under the “Zooschweiz” association welcome over 3.1 million visitors annually, including more than 130,000 schoolchildren. In addition, nearly 120,000 people participate in various educational programs, such as guided zoo tours. In this way, the zoos provide access to nature, teach about ecological relationships, and demonstrate how each and every individual can contribute to the conservation of biodiversity.
Moose at the Wildnispark Zurich
15-Year-Old Female Moose Euthanized Due to Old Age
On September 16, the 15-year-old female moose at Langenberg Wildlife Park was euthanized. Her health had been steadily declining in recent years. After careful consideration, the wildlife park therefore decided to euthanize the animal. The female moose was subsequently fed to the park’s predators.
The older of the two female moose living at the Wildnispark Zurich had reached the age of 15, which is quite advanced by zoo standards. She arrived at the Zurich Wildlife Park in 2011 from a moose breeding program in Sweden and had become very dear to the zoo’s staff and visitors. She gave birth to several calves and was the mother of the current breeding bull.
The Reconquest
Monitoring Red Deer in the Swiss Plateau
The red deer went extinct in Switzerland 175 years ago. But the “king of the forests” has returned and is now slowly reclaiming the Swiss Plateau. The Sihlwald provides an important refuge for these animals.
It’s hard to imagine today, but in 1850, the red deer was extinct in Switzerland. This was due to the overexploitation of the forests and hunting.
Another lynx from Wildnispark Zurich has been released into the wild in Thuringia
A major lynx reintroduction project is currently underway in the German state of Thuringia. This morning, “Wangari,” a female lynx born in 2025 at the Wildnispark Zurich, was released into the wild. She follows in the footsteps of “Vreni” from the Wildnispark Zurich, who has been roaming the Thuringian Forest for two years now.
In the 19th century, the lynx was exterminated across large parts of Western and Central Europe. Thanks to reintroduction projects, Europe’s largest cat has been able to reestablish itself in some areas, but the long-term survival of the lynx is not assured. The individual populations are too small and geographically isolated from one another. As a result, the lynx population is at risk of losing its genetic diversity. This makes the animals more susceptible to disease.
The Lesser Noctule
European Bat of the Year
The Lesser Noctule (Nyctalus leisleri) has been selected by BatLife Europe as the Bat of the Year for 2026/2027. This small bat undertakes remarkable migrations and can also be found in the Zurich Wilderness Park.
In Switzerland, the Lesser Noctule (Nyctalus leisleri) can be found well above the tree line. The Lesser Noctule is still widespread, but in many places it is coming under increasing pressure. Like many forest-dwelling bat species, it depends on old trees with plenty of cavities. Fortunately, the Wildnispark Zurich can provide this for the bats at several locations.
Good News from lynx Verena, born in Wildnispark Zurich
First lynx cubs in Baden-Württemberg in 200 years
The first litter of lynx cubs in Baden-Württemberg in 200 years is a major success for the “Lynx Baden-Württemberg” reintroduction project. The female lynx Elisabeth and Verena, a female born at Wildnispark Zurich, have given birth to cubs.
The German state of Baden-Württemberg has set a goal of facilitating genetic exchange between the lynx population in the Black Forest and neighboring lynx populations in the Swiss Jura, the Vosges, or the Palatinate Forest through population support measures.
