Annual Report 2022 of the Zurich Wilderness Park Foundation

The most important events at a glance

After the difficult pandemic years, normality returned to Zurich Wildlife Park in 2022; there were no more closures or other restrictions. A total of 658,000 visits were recorded at Tierpark Langenberg and Sihlwald.

Good news from Langenberg Zoo

The rat garden at Langenberg Zoo was opened in October. This facility, unique in Switzerland, offers the opportunity to observe a widespread yet largely unknown animal species in its natural behavior.

The transfer of five bison from Langenberg Zoo to the Solothurn Jura was another milestone in 2022. In the municipality of Welschenrohr, the "Wisent Thal" association wants to use a well-monitored and supervised test herd to investigate whether Europe's largest land mammal can be reintroduced to Switzerland. The Zurich Wilderness Park Foundation is involved as a partner in this species conservation project, which is unique in Switzerland.

Heat and drought leave their mark on the Sihlwald forest

The summer of 2022 was the hottest ever recorded in Europe. Such a weather event also leads to changes in Sihlwald. Most noticeable at the moment: spruce dieback. This tree species, which was planted in the forests of the Central Plateau to produce timber, reacts sensitively to drought and heat.

Using satellite data, a researcher from the University of Zurich was able to show that more than a quarter of the conifers in the Sihlwald forest have died since 2017. The increasing proportion of deadwood is a benefit for biodiversity, as numerous animal, fungal and plant species depend on dead wood. However, the maintenance of paths and the protection of infrastructure in the Sihlwald is becoming more complex and visitors must exercise sufficient caution on their excursions.

Annual report in a new design

In order to better document the long-term development of the Sihlwald nature reserve and important projects, the annual report of the Zurich Wilderness Park Foundation has been given a new look. Here you can browse through the annual report or download it as a PDF. We will also be happy to send you printed copies on request.