Goldau Nature and Animal Park is located in a wild and romantic landslide area with incomparable charm. Over 100 native wild animal species live among trees and huge boulders on an area of 42 hectares. The enclosure, where bears and wolves share the enclosure, is particularly impressive. Visitors have the unique opportunity to feed the animals themselves in the free-range area.
Goldau Zoo Bearded Owl © Tierpark Goldau
Goldau Animal Park in the middle of the wild and romantic landslide area
What was once a tragedy for people in 1806 is now a blessing for extinct animal breeds: the Goldau landslide.
The huge masses of rock that tumbled down from the Rossberg and buried the villages of Goldau and Röthen cost 457 people their lives. To this day, the Goldau landslide remains the biggest historical natural disaster in Switzerland and caused a sensation throughout Europe at the time.
Goldau Zoo Bear family photo shoot © Tierpark Goldau
This huge natural disaster created a wild, rugged and fascinating landscape, which is now home to the Goldau Nature and Animal Park. In the 1920s, it was decided to establish a nature and animal park in part of this charming wilderness. Today, the park provides a species-appropriate home for various wild animals in this impressive landscape.
Visitors can feed the animals themselves in the free-range area!
The Goldau Nature and Animal Park is mainly home to native and European animals that visitors can marvel at.
Particularly impressive is the large free-range area, where visitors can come into direct contact with sika deer and mouflons and feed these animals with the zoo’s specially developed feed. The feed has been scientifically tailored to the needs of these animal species to ensure their health. As the sale of the special feed is limited, there may be no feed available on days with many visitors.
Breeding programs for the conservation of animal species
Bearded vulture
Wisent
The zoo runs valuable conservation breeding programs for rare mammals and birds, such as the European bison and the Northern bald ibis. The international conservation breeding program for the bearded vulture is particularly noteworthy.
The animal enclosures in the park are designed so that visitors can immerse themselves in the fascinating world of the animals, without bars or barriers that would expose the animals. Great importance is attached to ensuring that the animals have places to retreat to, while visitors still have the opportunity to observe them. In addition to the animal enclosures, there are various exhibitions that provide additional information about animals such as the bearded vulture and honeybees.
Zoo tower
Animal park tower
A particular highlight at Goldau Nature and Animal Park is the zoo tower, which was opened in 2016. The imposing tower, designed by Graubünden architect Gion A. Caminada, rises a proud 29.6 meters high and offers visitors an impressive panoramic view of the surrounding landscapes and villages.
Goldau Zoo is also committed to education and runs its own school in the park. Zoo educators and zoo rangers offer workshops and guided tours for school classes and groups, giving participants exciting insights into the life of the animals and the zoo.
Commentary feeds
Among other things, the zoo rangers offer commented feeding sessions with the bears, cormorants and wild boars. During the tour, they are also available to provide visitors with expert information.
Further information on opening times, animal feedings and admission prices can be found at Nature and Animal Park Goldau
Goldau Nature and Animal Park can be reached by train in just 40 minutes from Zurich main station and 30 minutes from Lucerne station. As a family-friendly recreational area, it is one of the nine scientifically managed zoos in Switzerland.
Video Goldau Nature and Animal Park
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Video Autumn adventure trip to Goldau Nature and Animal Park
Whether wolf, bear or lynx – there is plenty to discover at Goldau Nature and Animal Park, even in the colder seasons. Take a relaxing walk through the park, where mouflons and sika deer await you in the free-range zone.
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Winter video at Goldau Nature and Animal Park
Experience the dreamlike landscape of the Goldau Nature and Animal Park and discover native and European animal species in a romantic winter atmosphere.
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