At the Wildpark, the whole family can immerse themselves in nature and get up close to fascinating animals, including wolves, Przewalski horses, mouflons, lynx, fallow deer, red deer, Vietnam sika deer, boars, and wisents. The information pavilion is open on Sunday afternoons and for pre-booked tours on other days. Guided tours, led by experts, last about 1.5 hours and are available for groups of up to 20 people for CHF 200. Schools in Winterthur and non-profit organizations enjoy free access. Younger visitors can enjoy a large playground, while families can relax at two rest areas or explore the family-friendly Windel-Wander-Weg. A charming restaurant completes the experience, offering a delightful spot to unwind.
The lynx is the largest wild cat in Europe. Recognizable by its distinctive tufted ears, it has exceptional hearing. Although it was eradicated in Switzerland a century ago, it has been reintroduced to the Swiss Alps since 1971.
The mouflon is the only wild sheep native to Europe. Originating in the mountains of Sardinia and Corsica, it was introduced to northern Europe for hunting. Mouflons live in herds led by an experienced female, and the rams are known for their iconic curved horns.
The Przewalski's horse (EEP), declared extinct in the wild in 1970, has been preserved through a European conservation breeding program. Since 1997, eight horses from the Bruderhaus Wildlife Park have been relocated to the Mongolian steppes as part of reintroduction efforts.
The red deer nearly disappeared from Switzerland by the late 19th century. However, conservation efforts and forestry laws allowed it to repopulate, spreading from Graubünden. Since the 1960s, red deer have been present in the forests around Eschenberg.
Wild boars are highly sociable, intelligent, and adaptable animals that live in family groups. Nearly extinct a century ago, they have since reclaimed parts of the Central Plateau. While they are often unpopular with farmers due to crop damage, they play a crucial role in forest ecosystems by controlling pests and loosening soil, aiding forest regeneration.
The European bison (EEP) once roamed from England to Siberia but was hunted to extinction in the wild by 1921. Conservation breeding in zoos allowed the species to survive, and in 1956 a herd was reintroduced in Poland. Since 2000, five bison have been released from the Bruderhaus Wildlife Park.
The wolf, historically one of the most widespread and persecuted mammals, has been successfully reintroduced in certain regions due to protective measures. At the Bruderhaus Wildlife Park, a spacious 11,000 m² enclosure houses seven European grey wolves (Canis lupus lupus).
The red junglefowl (Gallus gallus), the wild ancestor of domestic chickens, originates from Southeast Asia, where it still lives in the wild. Chickens were introduced to Europe via the Orient, Egypt, Greece, and Italy, reaching the Alps around 2600 years ago. Initially exotic prestige items, they later became valued for eggs and meat. Today, they share an enclosure with the Przewalski's horses at the Bruderhaus Wildlife Park.
Guided tours led by expert guides, lasting approximately 1.5 hours, are available for groups of up to 20 participants at a cost of CHF 200.
