Latest news
News from Sihlwald and Langenberg
Christmas trees – a feast for moose and red deer
Moose feed almost exclusively on conifers for months in winter. Red and silver fir trees are also an important source of food for red deer and roe deer during the cold season. Fortunately, Wildnispark Zurich is receiving numerous unsold Christmas trees from Coop and Grün Stadt Zürich again this year.
Moose are voracious. An adult moose eats four to six conifers a day in winter. But they picky eaters – they prefer silver fir and Nordmann fir because their spikes are not as hurtful. However, Norway spruce will also do in a pinch.
Second lynx from Wildnispark Zurich released into the wild in Germany
In Germany, the lynx is threatened with extinction. Initiatives are currently underway in several federal states to support the lynx population. In this context, the female lynx "Vreni", born in the Wildnispark Zurich, was released into the wild in the Thuringian Forest in August. Today, her twin sister "Verena" has found a new home in the Black Forest.
The last lynx in the German Alps was killed in 1850. Thanks to reintroduction projects since the 1970s, the population has grown to around 200 animals. However, without further releases and good habitat networking, the lynx will not survive in Germany. Initiatives are currently underway in several German federal states to support the lynx population.
Wolf pack leader dies at Langenberg Wildlife Park
Due to a tumor, the male leader of the wolf pack in the Wildnispark Zurich Langenberg had to be put down.
At the end of October, the animal care team at Wildnispark Zurich discovered that the male pack leader was limping badly. Unfortunately, the veterinary examination revealed that it was a broken bone and that the male had little chance of recovery. To spare him unnecessary suffering, he was euthanised immediately.
Special find in the Sihlwald
A highlight of the 2024 mushroom season
Russula camarophylla, which is widespread in central-western Europe, is only known from a few locations. This year it was discovered several times in the Sihlwald and on the Horgenberg.
In mid-August, mushroom picker Brigitta Danuser was faced with a puzzle. She had found a mushroom in Wildnispark Zurich that she could not easily identify. The Zurich Mushroom Association, where she presented her find, was also initially puzzled as to the identity of the mushroom.
Hedgehog listed as an endangered species for the first time
On the IUCN Red List
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the number of Western European hedgehogs – also known as brown-breasted hedgehogs or western hedgehogs – is in sharp severe. They have classified the animal as «potentially endangered» on their Red List of Threatened Species for the first time.
The Western European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) can be found in Switzerland, Germany and Austria, the Benelux countries, Scandinavia and Great Britain, among others. Over the past ten years, the number has declined by between 16 and 33 percent, depending on the country. In Flanders in Belgium and in Bavaria, it has even fallen by 50 percent. As hedgehogs only have offspring once a year, protecting their habitats is all the more important!
Winter season - adjustment of opening hours
The visitor center and the nature museum are closed during the winter season. In addition, the animal enclosures, the Langenberg West park area, the Langenberg restaurant and the store at Langenberg WIldlife Park have adjusted opening hours. Customer service will also have reduced contact hours.
Customer service
Lynx Vreni from Wildnipark Zurich has settled in well in Germany
At the end of August, a female lynx that was born in 2023 at Langenberg Wildlife Park in Langnau am Albis was released into the wild in the Thuringian Forest. The animal, named Vreni, has adapted well to life in the wild and has already killed several deer.
Vreni, the female lynx born at Langenberg Wildlife Park, was released into the wild in Germany around a month ago. Now there is good news: "She is doing very well, our young Swiss lynx!" reports Markus Port, project coordinator of "Luchs Thüringen". Initially, she killed small prey animals, but she has now also been able to take several deer. "So although Vreni has never been able to hunt a deer before as an enclosure animal, she is already doing this very successfully and her prey behavior is hardly any different from that of a lynx born in the wild," explains Markus Port.
Stone crayfish released into the wild in the Sihlwald forest
This afternoon, 40 stone crayfish were released in the Sihlwald. This native crayfish species is highly endangered. With this reintroduction project, the Foundation Wildnispark Zurich is helping to promote biodiversity in Switzerland.
Crayfish used to be widespread in Switzerland. However, the four native species are now under severe pressure. In 2011, the federal government launched the "Swiss Crayfish Action Plan". This proposes various measures to protect the native crayfish species. These include, among other things, colonization and reintroduction in suitable bodies of water.
Wilderness day in the Sihlwald
An exciting event for the whole family: a wildlife day will be held in Sihlwald on September 29. The focus is on the magnificent sand lizard, hedgehogs, wild bees and other small animals.
The Wildlife Day in Sihlwald offers fun, games and exciting nature knowledge for the whole family on the Sunday after next. The focus is on the magnificent sand lizard, hedgehogs, wild bees and other small animals.
Lynx from Wildnispark Zurich released into the wild in Germany
The wild lynx in Western and Central Europe are threatened by inbreeding. The existing populations need to be better connected to ensure regular genetic exchange between them. For this reason, a female lynx that was born in 2023 at Langenberg Wildlifepark in Langnau am Albis was released into the wild yesterday evening in the Thuringian Forest.
In spring 2023, two female lynx were born at Langenberg Wildlifepark. Even back then, they were seen as hopefuls who could help preserve the Eurasian lynx in Europe, as the Zurich Wilderness Park participates in the European conservation breeding program for the lynx. Yesterday evening the time had come: one of the two sisters was released into the wild in the Thuringian Forest.
