Latest news
News from Sihlwald and Langenberg
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.
Donation for the ibex plant
Check handover from Coop
Today, Wildnispark Zurich is making a big splash in the Coop newspaper. The reason for this is a generous donation from the Coop Regional Council Central Switzerland-Zurich for the renovation of the ibex enclosure.
During the winter months, the Wildnispark Zurich extensively renovated the ibex enclosure. The enclosure is already over 75 years old and was therefore somewhat outdated. The Coop Regional Council Central Switzerland-Zurich supported the renovation with 10,000 francs. Many thanks for this!
©Frederic Desmette
Garden dormouse at Langenberg Wildlife Park
New Wildife Park residents
Instead of dormice, garden dormice will definitely be kept in the Wildnispark Zurich.
Since August 2025, two garden dormice have been living in the Müsli-Hüsli at Langenberg Wildlife Park. After the three edible dormice that previously lived in the enclosure died during last year's hibernation due to their advanced age, the Langenberg Wildlife Park initially took over two garden dormice from the Goldau Zoo on a temporary basis.
Przewalski's stallion from Wildnispark Zurich released into the wild in Kazakhstan.
It is a special moment for the Wildnispark Zurich Foundation: after months of acclimatization in a specially designed enclosure, the Przewalski stallion "Galvan", born in Wildnispark Zurich, was allowed to gallop into the wild in Kazakhstan.
A new reintroduction project for Przewalski's horses was launched in Kazakhstan in 2024. The reintroduction will take place in the Altyn Dala nature reserve in the center of Kazakhstan, in the so-called "Golden Steppe". Within five years, a total of around forty animals are to be brought into the reintroduction area in order to build up a sustainable new population. Now, the second small herd was allowed to leave the acclimatization enclosure. Among them is "Galvan", a stallion born in Wildnispark Zurich. He is accompanied by four mares - Csárdás, Cili, Bűbáj and Celeb. They originally come from the Hortobágy National Park in Hungary and have been brought together with Galvan to form a harem over the last 12 months. The first matings have already been observed.
