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News from Sihlwald and Langenberg
Opening hours during the holidays
A visit to Langenberg Wildlife Park is also worthwhile during the festive season.
Langenberg Wildlife Park
On December 31, 2025, the main gate will close at 4 p.m. Pedestrian access will remain open.
The first Christmas for the Young Elk
Media release
Elks feed almost exclusively on conifers for months in winter. The young elk, which was born in June of this year, is already eagerly nibbling on silver fir, Nordmann fir and other trees.
Elks are gourmets. In winter, the elks at Langenberg Wildlife Park feed almost exclusively on conifers in addition to food cubes, just like their wild counterparts. "An adult elk eats 4 to 6 trees bare in winter – a juvenile perhaps half that," says Martin Kilchenmann, head of the animals department at Wildnispark Zurich. The nutrient-rich twigs, needles and buds are particularly popular. The animals prefer silver fir or Nordmann fir because they are less prickly. However, Norway spruce will also do in a pinch.
Langenberg Wildlife Park
Changes in the wolf pack
Since the beginning of December, only females have been living in the wolf enclosure at Langenberg Wildlife Park: the mother and four daughters. A new pack is to be formed later with a suitable male.
The six young wolves from the last two litters are at an age when they would leave their pack of origin in the wild. In human care, this step is carried out through appropriate management. One young male was transferred to Goldau Zoo. The second male cub had to be euthanized because it was not to be paired with its mother or sisters and no suitable place could be found for it in another zoo. This animal will be used for educational purposes at Wildnispark Zurich. Places in other zoos are still being sought for the female cubs.
Donations for the lynxes?
Release of young animals into strategically important regions
The "Einstein" program about the lynx Freya, who was born in Wildnispark Zurich and released into the wild in Germany, has generated a great deal of interest. Further information and a donation option can be found here.
"Einstein" accompanied a young female lynx from Wildnispark Zurich on her way to freedom - as a beacon of hope for her species in Germany. In our neighboring country to the north, lynxes are threatened with extinction.
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.
