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News from Sihlwald and Langenberg
TV tip for November 6
"Einstein" accompanies a young female lynx from Wildnispark Zurich
On Thursday, November 6, Swiss television will broadcast an exciting documentary on SRF1 at 9:05 p.m. "Einstein" accompanies a young female lynx from Wildnispark Zurich on her journey to freedom - as a beacon of hope for her species. For the Swiss lynx, on the other hand, the alarm signs are mounting: a newly discovered hereditary disease shows the consequences of inbreeding and the lack of genetic exchange.
The program "Einstein" accompanies the young female lynx Freya from Wildnispark Zurich in Langnau am Albis to her release into the wild in the forests of eastern Germany. There she will help to build up a stable population. This is because the lynx is threatened with extinction in Germany. Freya's journey will first take her to a special enclosure in Thuringia, where she will be prepared for several months before being released into the wild.
The ibex enclosure is being renovated
Until the end of the year, the animals will be in the meadow next to the ibex enclosure.
The ibex enclosure is over 75 years old. It therefore needs new flooring, new water and sewage pipes, and a new fence. The natural stone climbing rock, which the ibex herd likes to use, needs to be repaired in some places, in particular to provide the animals with more shade. A new walk-in area for visitors is also planned.
The ibex facility in Langenberg is already over 75 years old. It is currently being renovated. It needs a new floor covering, new water and sewage pipes and a new fence. The climbing rock made of natural stone, on which the ibex herd likes to spend time, is to be repaired in some places, in particular to provide the animals with more shade. A new, accessible area for visitors is also planned.
Opening of the fourth stage of Via Natura
New hiking route for nature lovers
The fourth stage of the Via Natura was opened in Zurich Wilderness Park at the end of September. The Via Natura is an initiative of the Zurich hiking trails and leads through the most beautiful natural landscapes in the canton. The latest section of this unique hiking trail leads from the Silberweide nature station to the Sihlwald, a park of national importance.
The annual wilderness day took place in Sihlwald on the last weekend of September. The theme was "25 years of wild Sihlwald". A special and lasting highlight of the program was the opening of the fourth stage of the Via Natura. The Via Natura connects the nature centers in the canton of Zurich and leads through the canton's most beautiful landscapes. The new route of the unique hiking trail leads from the Silberweide nature station to the visitor center of the Wildnispark Zurich in Sihlwald. Sihlwald has been one of the twenty parks of national importance since 2010.
Wilderness day in the Sihlwald
Event information
Fancy a fall excursion? On September 28, Wildnispark Zurich celebrates the anniversary of "25 years of the wild Sihlwald". An exciting event for the whole family.
The wilderness day in Sihlwald the Sunday after next offers fun, games and exciting nature knowledge for the whole family. The focus is on the "25 years of wild Sihlwald" anniversary and, as a bonus, the opening of the fourth stage of the Via Natura. Via Natura is an initiative of the Zurich hiking trails and leads through the most beautiful natural landscapes in the canton of Zurich.
Europe-wide species protection
Third lynx from Wildnispark Zurich released into the wild in Germany
In Germany, the lynx is threatened with extinction. The female Freya, born in the Wildnispark Zurich is intended to strengthen the population in the Ore Mountains.
The Wildnispark Zurich is one of the few animal parks in Europe where young lynx can be prepared for life in the wild. Today, the third cub was released into the wild in Germany within a year. "We are delighted and proud to be able to contribute to the conservation of this wonderful species with our work," explains Karin Hindenlang Clerc, Managing Director of the Foundation Wildnispark Zurich .
©Frederic Desmette
«Zorro» in the edible dormouse enclosure
Special guests in the Müsli-Hüsli
The three edible dormice in the Müsli-Hüsli died during hibernation last winter due to their advanced age. For the time being, two garden dormice are living in the enclosure.
There are currently no edible dormice to be found in the Müsli-Hüsli. The reason: the three dormice at Langenberg Wildlife Park did not wake up from hibernation last winter due to their very advanced age. As it was not possible to obtain new edible dormice from other zoos at short notice, Wildnispark Zurich took in two garden dormice from Wildlife Park Goldau: one female and one male.
© Wildnispark Zürich / Albert Hanslin
Commitment to biodiversity
Lynx triplets in Wildnispark Zurich
For the third year in a row, the lynxes at Langenberg Wildlife Park have had offspring. This year there are even triplets. Like their half-sisters who have already been released into the wild, the three are seen as a source of hope for the free-living lynx population in Europe.
The lynx enclosure in Wildnispark Zurich is one of the few in Europe where young lynx can be prepared for an independent life in the wild. This makes it all the more exciting that kittens have been born again this year – this time even triplets!
Hasenrainweg permanently closed
New route is signposted
The terrain on the Hasenrainweg is in a state of flux. This section has therefore been removed from the trail network. The new route is signposted (yellow).
Young animals at Langenberg
Elk offspring in the Wildnispark Zurich
Great joy at Wildnispark Zurich: a few days ago, an elk calf was born at the Langenberg Wildlife Park. Additional young animals have also been born among the wild boar, ibex, Przewalski's horses, marmots and red and fallow deer. A trip to the Wildnispark Zurich is therefore particularly worthwhile at the moment.
It has been six years since young elks were last seen in the Wildnispark Zurich. In 2025, the time has finally come again: the female elk that came to Langenberg Wildlife Park from Sweden three years ago gave birth to a healthy young calf a few days ago. The father was born in Langenberg in 2019.
Wild horses
Przewalski's stallion from the Zurich Wilderness Park is released into the wild in Kazakhstan.
The once extinct Przewalski's horses are being reintroduced in Kazakhstan. At the beginning of June, a young stallion born in the Zurich Wilderness Park arrived safely in the reintroduction enclosure.
A young Przewalski stallion born in Langnau am Albis will soon be galloping freely across the Central Asian steppe in Kazakhstan. He was brought to Kazakhstan at the beginning of June for a reintroduction project. He is currently still in a reintroduction enclosure to get used to his habitat under supervision. The project managers have given the stallion the name "Galvan".
