Latest news
News from Sihlwald and Langenberg
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.
Fire ban in the Sihlwald and at Langenberg Wildlife Park
Warning: risk of forest fire!
Due to the ongoing drought, there is a high risk of forest fires. A total ban on fires is therefore in force in the Sihlwald and at Langenberg Wildlife Park. This applies in particular to the setting off of fireworks and sparklers.
A fire ban is now in force throughout the entire Sihlwald area, on the grounds of the Sihlwald Visitor Centre and at Langenberg Wildlife Park.
Lynx cubs at Wildnispark Zurich
Commitment to Species Conservation
Another young lynx has been born at Langenberg Wildlife Park. With a little luck, you can spot it from the walking path that leads toward the Orelli House.
Our zookeeper was able to film the cub nursing through binoculars.
Tourist Attraction in Sihlwald
New Exhibition on the Underwater World of the Sihl River
At the otter enclosure in Sihlwald, visitors can explore the underwater world of the Sihl River. The exhibit has now been redesigned. It’s definitely worth a visit!
At the otter enclosure in Sihlwald, Wildnispark Zurich also offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into the hidden underwater world of the River Sihl. The aquarium is home to native fish species and endangered native crayfish.
©Wildnispark Zürich / Nils Kuhn
Fallow deer fawn
Baby Animals at Wildnispark Zurich
Young Animals at Langenberg Wildlife Park
In recent weeks, there have been numerous baby animals at Wildnispark Zurich. Visitors can see, for example, three European bison calves, a Przewalski foal, numerous ibex kids, and wild boar piglets.
A trip to Langenberg Wildlife Park is especially worthwhile right now: You can currently see babies among several animal species. For example, several playful ibex kids are climbing around on the rock wall. The european bisons have had three calves this year, and a foal has been born among the Przewalski horses. The wild boar piglets, which were born at Easter, have grown a bit by now, though you can still easily recognise them by their striped coat patterns. If you have a keen eye, you might spot one of the little fallow deer fawns hiding in the grass somewhere in the enclosure. You’re sure to find plenty of “aww” moments.
Bye-bye spruce!
The Norway spruce die off.
At the moment, a historic event can be observed in the Sihlwald forest: The Norway spruce trees are dying. Anyone who visits the Sihlwald regularly will clearly notice: something is happening here!
A walk through the Sihlwald forest shows: The Norway spruce trees (picea abies) are dying. There are dry trunks everywhere; many trees have long been lying on the ground. There are many reasons for this development: the spruce - as the Norway spruce is also known - was artificially introduced to the Central Plateau. By nature, it grows at higher altitudes. However, this tree species does not tolerate heat and drought well, and global warming is causing it additional stress. The analysis of satellite images shows that over thirty percent of Norway spruce trees have died in the Sihlwald since 2018.
