Zoo And Wildlife Parks In Switzerland

Swiss zoos and wildlife parks — overview

Swiss zoological institutions mix a few large city institutions with many smaller centres and seasonal petting farms. Zoo Zürich, Zoo Basel and Tierpark Dählhölzli anchor that network. They serve recreation, education and conservation at different scales: major zoos host large immersive exhibits and coordinate breeding programmes, while smaller parks suit weekday or off‑peak visits and give closer, community‑focused encounters.

Key Takeaways

• Zoo Zürich, Zoo Basel and Tierpark Dählhölzli draw the most visitors and lead national conservation, research and breeding work.
• A wide network of smaller parks, specialty centres and petting farms—many on plots under 5 ha—supports local education, seasonal visits and hands‑on experiences.
• Major zoos offer immersive habitats, scheduled keeper talks and broad visitor services; book tickets in advance and don’t rely on walk‑up entry on busy days.
• Nature‑park and specialty models—like Natur‑ und Tierpark Goldau, Papiliorama, Aquatis, Zoo La Garenne and Knie’s Kinderzoo—deliver specific learning outcomes: hiking and rescue work; butterfly and nocturnal displays; freshwater education; rehabilitation; and child‑focused interaction.
• Conservation impact comes through coordinated EAZA and WAZA programmes, captive breeding, reintroductions and research partnerships. Always date‑stamp numeric claims and verify them against institutional reports.

How they serve visitors

Major zoos

Major zoos in Switzerland provide large, immersive exhibits, specialist maintenance and extensive visitor services (cafés, shops, accessibility). They often run coordinated breeding programmes and partner in international conservation work. On busy days these sites commonly use timed entry or require advance bookings — plan ahead to avoid disappointment.

Smaller parks and petting farms

Smaller parks and seasonal petting farms are usually community‑focused, ideal for weekday or off‑peak visits. They give closer encounters and hands‑on learning but may have limited hours, seasonal opening patterns and fewer onsite services. Check each site’s website for opening times and visitor rules before you go.

Specialty models

Several Swiss sites follow specialist models: Natur‑ und Tierpark Goldau pairs hiking and rescue/rehabilitation work; Papiliorama highlights butterflies and nocturnal displays; Aquatis focuses on freshwater ecosystems; Zoo La Garenne works on wildlife rehabilitation; and Knie’s Kinderzoo emphasises child‑centred interaction and education.

Conservation and research

Conservation outcomes in Switzerland stem from coordinated programmes (for example EAZA and WAZA), captive breeding, targeted reintroductions and academic collaborations. When citing numbers such as visitor counts or breeding successes, always date‑stamp numeric claims and verify them against the latest institutional or programme reports to ensure accuracy.

Visitor tips

1. Book ahead: For major zoos, reserve timed tickets or check for entry limits.
2. Visit weekdays: Smaller parks and petting farms are quieter and more personal outside weekends and holidays.
3. Check seasonality: Many smaller centres operate on seasonal schedules—confirm opening dates before travelling.
4. Respect rules: Follow keeper guidance and site rules to protect animals and habitats.
5. Verify claims: For conservation or numeric statements, consult institutional reports and date‑stamp any figures you use.

Snapshot: Swiss Zoos and Wildlife Parks

We, at the Young Explorers Club, record approximately [NUMBER OF ACCREDITED INSTITUTIONS] accredited zoos, wildlife parks and animal centres (count as of [YEAR]). Annual visitors total about [NUMBER] ([YEAR]). A handful of major city zoos — Zoo Zürich, Zoo Basel and Tierpark Dählhölzli in Bern — capture a large share of those visits. The rest is a long tail of smaller wildlife parks, specialty centres and petting farms, many operating on plots under 5 ha and often seasonal. The network mixes full-scale zoological parks with smaller community-focused sites; both play distinct roles in education, recreation and conservation.

Key points and context

Below are the core facts and operational notes that shape the sector today:

• Total accredited institutions: [NUMBER] (state year: [YEAR]) — I distinguish “major zoos” (typically full-scale parks with >50 ha of structured exhibits or >200 species) from “smaller wildlife parks / petting farms” (smaller area, fewer species, seasonal operations).
• Annual visitors: [NUMBER] ([YEAR]).
• Economic impact: jobs supported (direct + indirect): approximately [JOBS NUMBER or RANGE] (year [YEAR]); estimated sector economic value: CHF [AMOUNT or RANGE] (year [YEAR]).
• Regulatory & memberships: the national association is ZooSchweiz. Percent of Swiss zoos with EAZA membership: [PERCENT]% ([YEAR]). Percent with WAZA membership: [PERCENT]% ([YEAR]).
• Trend indicators: visitor change vs previous 5 years: [+/−][PERCENT]% ([period, e.g., 2018–2023]). Major investment years in the last decade include large new exhibits such as:
  • Masoala Rainforest, Zoo Zürich — opened [YEAR]
  • Kaeng Krachan Elephant Park, Zoo Zürich — opened [YEAR]
  • New aquarium/upgrades, Zoo Basel — opened/refurbished [YEAR]
  • [Other large exhibits and opening years]

I list the most visited institutions you’ll encounter repeatedly in planning and reporting:

• Zoo Zürich (Zürich)
• Zoo Basel (Basel)
• Tierpark Dählhölzli (Bern)
• Natur- und Tierpark Goldau (Goldau)
• Papiliorama (Kerzers)

Recommendation: I recommend we treat planning differently for major zoos versus small parks. Major zoos need more time, advance tickets on busy days and may have timed entries for signature exhibits. Smaller parks are often best visited on weekdays or outside peak season; they reward slower exploration and usually offer closer encounters for children. For family-focused trip planning resources, see our family trip in Switzerland.

Profiles of Major City Zoos: Zoo Zürich, Zoo Basel, Tierpark Dählhölzli (Bern)

I’ll break down each institution by role, highlights and practical visitor notes so we can plan visits that combine learning and fun. We, at the young explorers club, focus on how these city zoos balance public access with species conservation and education.

Zoo Zürich — highlights and visitor notes

Zoo Zürich is the city’s flagship zoological institution, recognised for immersive habitat exhibits and international breeding programmes. Its signature Masoala Rainforest and Kaeng Krachan Elephant Park create multi‑species displays that simulate natural behaviours and social groups. The zoo actively contributes to European ex‑situ programmes and runs targeted research projects on animal husbandry and welfare.

For visitors, the site sits close to major tram and rail links and offers age‑friendly trails, interpretation panels and regular keeper talks that fit family schedules. I recommend checking ticket prices and opening hours before visiting so we can coordinate with public transport and school timetables.

Zoo Basel — highlights and visitor notes

Zoo Basel is one of Switzerland’s historic zoos, noted for its long‑running collections and a well‑maintained aquarium and specialty houses. The site blends heritage exhibits with modern renovation efforts, and it maintains active partnerships across Europe for breeding and species management.

The zoo provides a wide range of visitor services: cafés, guided tours and hands‑on education programmes aimed at different age groups. We often find their interpretive materials useful for pre‑visit learning and for follow‑up activities with kids.

Tierpark Dählhölzli (Bern) — highlights and visitor notes

Tierpark Dählhölzli focuses squarely on native fauna and environmental education. It’s an accessible urban park that integrates local wildlife exhibits with school outreach and regular children’s programmes. The park runs practical workshops and seasonal events that connect classrooms to outdoor learning.

For families who want a shorter, hands‑on visit that emphasises local species and conservation literacy, Dählhölzli is ideal.

Quick comparison and practical takeaways

Below are the main points to help us choose which zoo to visit based on goals and group composition:

• Attendance and public profile: Zoo Zürich and Zoo Basel lead the country in visitor numbers and become focal points for national conservation messaging.
• Conservation workload: Each city zoo participates in multiple EAZA species programmes; Zoo Zürich tends to host large, multi‑species, high‑profile projects, while Basel combines historical collections with targeted breeding successes. Dählhölzli concentrates on local species management and education.
• Visitor experience: Choose Zoo Zürich for large, immersive habitats and scheduled talks; pick Zoo Basel for historical displays plus aquarium features and robust visitor services; select Dählhölzli for school groups, native fauna and direct contact learning.
• Education and outreach: Dählhölzli runs frequent school visits and community programmes; both Zürich and Basel operate formal education departments with curricula‑linked offerings and guided tours.
• Planning practicalities: For multi‑day family itineraries we usually recommend building one major zoo visit into a broader plan — see our family trip resource for ideas — family trip.

I suggest we prioritise the zoo whose mission best matches our objective that day—whether that’s observing large tropical habitat design, studying successful captive breeding, or running an outdoor classroom session on local biodiversity.

Notable Nature Parks and Specialty Centers

At the young explorers club we highlight Natur‑ und Tierpark Goldau as a prime example of a nature‑park model. Goldau — founding year: [YEAR]; park area: [AREA ha] (natural habitat: [PERCENT]%); native species kept: [NUMBER]; annual visitors: [NUMBER] ([YEAR]) — combines large free‑ranging enclosures with enclosure‑based exhibits. We value its rescue centre and the way hiking trails thread through habitat. Accessibility: approx. [minutes] from Lucerne / [minutes] from Zug (by train/car). Seasonality: open [months]. The layout favors native species and rescue work, so visitor flow feels calmer than in city zoos.

Papiliorama in Kerzers focuses on butterflies and nocturnal fauna. Quick facts: founding year: [YEAR]; indoor/outdoor butterfly greenhouse area: [M2] m²; number of butterfly species: [NUMBER]; annual visitors: [NUMBER] ([YEAR]). We note their nocturnal house and captive‑breeding and release programmes — reported captive breeding/release figures: [NUMBERS], [YEARS] — which make it a hands‑on conservation stop for families and schools.

Aquatis in Lausanne bills itself as “Europe’s largest freshwater aquarium‑vivarium” (claim year: [YEAR]). Quick facts: founding year: [YEAR]; number of species/exhibits: [NUMBER]; annual visitors: [NUMBER] ([YEAR]). We use Aquatis as a teachable example of freshwater ecosystem interpretation. Education and outreach programmes cover river health, species ID, and school modules that scale from primary to teen groups.

Zoo La Garenne (Le Vaud) runs a clear rescue and education focus. Quick facts: founding year: [YEAR]; specialization: rescue/rehabilitation and education; species count: [NUMBER]; annual visitors: [NUMBER] ([YEAR]). We track their rehabilitation outputs: rehabilitated/released per year: [NUMBER] (year), which reflects a concrete conservation role beyond display.

Knie’s Kinderzoo in Rapperswil specializes in child‑centred interaction. Quick facts: founding year: [YEAR]; specialization: children’s interaction; species count: [NUMBER]; annual visitors: [NUMBER] ([YEAR]). We point families to its hands‑on programmes and accessible amenities that make learning about animals playful and safe.

Short snapshots of other small parks and bird parks

Below are compact entries for quick reference — each item is date‑stamped and uses the outline format:

• [Park name] — founded [YEAR]; area [ha]; species [count]; visitors [number] ([year])
• [Park name] — founded [YEAR]; area [ha]; species [count]; visitors [number] ([year])
• [Park name] — founded [YEAR]; area [ha]; species [count]; visitors [number] ([year])

We emphasize the practical distinction between Goldau’s model and urban zoos. Goldau prioritizes large areas, hiking and rescue work; city zoos concentrate on curated exhibits and higher visitor throughput. Papiliorama and Aquatis occupy niche roles — butterfly and freshwater education respectively — which attract families and schools instead of big‑mammal tourism. For planning child‑friendly visits we recommend checking seasonal openings and combining a park visit with local family activities to extend learning time.

https://youtu.be/9np4fAZwE5Y

Conservation, Breeding Programs & Research Impact

We present the core conservation metrics as placeholders for verification and date‑stamping; every numeric claim below must be checked against EAZA, WAZA, ZooSchweiz and individual zoo annual reports. I’ll highlight how the programmes connect to reintroductions, monitoring and research partnerships, and where to verify each figure.

Key metrics (placeholders — verify & date‑stamp)

• Number of Swiss zoos participating in EAZA Ex‑situ Programmes (EEPs): [NUMBER] (year [YEAR]) — source: EAZA.
• Flagship species where Switzerland has a leading role: [Species A] — X EEP participations; [Species B] — Y EEP participations (year [YEAR]) — source: EAZA.
• Count of endangered species housed across major Swiss zoos: approximately [NUMBER] species listed as threatened (IUCN status) — examples: [species list with status and year] — source: IUCN and zoo annual reports.
• Measurable outcomes — captive‑bred animals released or reintroduced: template case: “Switzerland’s zoos participated in X EEPs in 20YY and produced Y captive‑bred individuals of species Z, of which N were reintroduced.” Replace X, 20YY, Y, Z, N with verified figures — source: zoo annual reports / EAZA data.
• Research output and partnerships: [NUMBER] peer‑reviewed articles; notable collaborations (example): collaboration between [Zoo Name] and [University] on [project] (years) — source: university and zoo reports.
• Funding and conservation budgets: [Zoo Name] allocates ~CHF [AMOUNT] or [PERCENT]% of its annual budget to conservation (year [YEAR]); existence of conservation foundations (e.g., Zoo Zürich Foundation — yes/no) — source: ZooSchweiz and individual zoo accounts.

We explain the practical chain linking captive programmes to in‑field conservation. Zoos establish assurance populations through coordinated EEP breeding, which preserves genetic diversity and produces candidates for targeted reintroductions. Post‑release work then focuses on survival monitoring, veterinary follow‑up and habitat management. Monitoring reports from reintroduction projects provide the only reliable measures of success and must be cited directly when numbers are quoted.

We list common, verifiable success stories you should confirm in the source reports:

• Scimitar‑horned oryx
• European bison
• Bearded vulture
• Several amphibian translocations

Each success requires confirmation in EAZA or zoo annual reports before publication. Practical tips for using verified data: always date‑stamp each figure, name the originating report, and include monitoring outcomes (survival rates, reproduction, threats encountered).

We connect conservation stories to visitor engagement and education, since public support funds programmes and research. For schools and families exploring species conservation, see how Swiss nature links to outdoor learning in our resource on Swiss nature.

Visitor Information, Practicalities and Planning Tips

At the Young Explorers Club, we compile the core facts so you can plan efficiently; below are reported, date‑stamped figures you should verify on each park’s official pages (as of 2026-02-01). We present seasons, hours and practical notes with cautious language and recommended actions.

We report opening seasons and typical hours for the three main sites (as of 2026-02-01): Zoo Zürich is generally open year‑round, approximately 08:00–18:00 in summer and around 08:00–16:30 in winter (reported); Zoo Basel typically operates year‑round with roughly 08:00–18:00 in peak months and shortened winter hours (reported); Tierpark Dählhölzli normally opens year‑round with shorter winter hours and longer daylight‑season hours (reported). We advise you to check the official pages for special closures and event evenings.

We list typical admission prices (reported approximately, year 2026): adults often pay CHF 20–CHF 30 depending on zoo and season; children and youth fares commonly range CHF 10–CHF 18; seniors usually receive a reduced rate in similar bands; family tickets and season passes vary widely—examples reported include single‑day family tickets and annual memberships that offer sizeable savings over repeated visits (year 2026). We recommend booking online where possible to access discounts, and checking benefits linked to the Swiss Travel Pass or institutional memberships before you pay.

For accessibility and travel times (reported approximately, as of 2026-02-01) we advise these transit options:

• Zoo Zürich — nearest stop accessible from Zürich HB by tram/bus in roughly 20–30 minutes.
• Zoo Basel — reachable from Basel SBB in about 15–25 minutes by tram/bus.
• Tierpark Dählhölzli — about 10–15 minutes from Bern HB by local transport.

We strongly encourage public transport; parks in Switzerland report a high share of visitors arriving by train or tram (approximately 60% reported). Parking availability varies by site and season—on‑site car parks exist but can be limited during peak months (check each park’s page for exact spaces).

We highlight visitor amenities and accessibility details (reported, as of 2026-02-01): restaurants and cafés are standard at all three parks, with a mix of sit‑down options and kiosks; picnic areas are usually available in designated zones. We note wheelchair accessibility is high but not total—parks commonly report roughly 80–95% of routes accessible for wheelchairs and strollers (reported percentages vary by site). We advise bringing a compact stroller for younger children; parks typically offer stroller‑friendly paths but some older enclosures include steps. We remind visitors that dogs are generally not allowed inside main enclosures and rules differ by park—service animals are accepted with documentation in most cases.

We observe peak times and average visit durations (reported, as of 2026-02-01): plan for about 2–4 hours per site as a typical visit length; peak months include summer (June–August) and school holidays. We recommend visiting on weekdays outside school breaks, or arriving early/late in the day to avoid crowds and see animals at active feeding times. We also suggest pairing a zoo day with local outdoor time — for family planning inspiration see our family trip advice.

Quick per‑zoo visit boxes (concise, reported as of 2026-02-01)

• Zoo Zürich: Travel time from Zürich HB ~20–30 minutes by tram/bus; recommended visit length ~3–4 hours; best time to visit: spring–early summer mornings or late afternoons; ticket prices (adult/child) approximately CHF 26/CHF 16 (year 2026, reported).
• Zoo Basel: Travel time from Basel SBB ~15–25 minutes by tram/bus; recommended visit length ~2–3 hours; best times: weekdays outside holidays and early morning; price for adults approximately CHF 23 (year 2026, reported).
• Tierpark Dählhölzli: Travel time from Bern HB ~10–15 minutes by local transport; recommended visit length ~2 hours; best windows: quieter off‑peak mornings and weekday afternoons; adult ticket approximately CHF 12 (year 2026, reported).

Comparative Data, Rankings and Story Angles

I recommend assembling these ranked metrics and date-stamping each entry on collection: founding year (meas. 2024), area (ha) (meas. 2024), species count (meas. 2024), total animals (meas. 2024), annual visitors (year of measure), EAZA/WAZA membership status (meas. 2024), flagship species (meas. 2024), average ticket price (year). For publication, we’ll replace placeholders with verified numbers from ZooSchweiz, individual zoo annual reports and EAZA/WAZA lists.

Concise comparative table (6 major parks; each cell shows measurement year 2024)

Zoo / Metric	Founding (2024)	Area ha (2024)	Species (2024)	Animals (2024)	Annual visitors (2024)	EAZA/WAZA (2024)	Flagship (2024)	Avg ticket CHF (2024)
Zoo Zürich	[founding] (2024)	[ha] (2024)	[species] (2024)	[animals] (2024)	[visitors] (2024)	[membership] (2024)	[species] (2024)	[CHF] (2024)
Zoo Basel	[founding] (2024)	[ha] (2024)	[species] (2024)	[animals] (2024)	[visitors] (2024)	[membership] (2024)	[species] (2024)	[CHF] (2024)
Natur- und Tierpark Goldau	[founding] (2024)	[ha] (2024)	[species] (2024)	[animals] (2024)	[visitors] (2024)	[membership] (2024)	[species] (2024)	[CHF] (2024)
Tierpark Bern	[founding] (2024)	[ha] (2024)	[species] (2024)	[animals] (2024)	[visitors] (2024)	[membership] (2024)	[species] (2024)	[CHF] (2024)
Papiliorama / La Garenne	[founding] (2024)	[ha] (2024)	[species] (2024)	[animals] (2024)	[visitors] (2024)	[membership] (2024)	[species] (2024)	[CHF] (2024)

Why rankings diverge

Seasonality drives big swings; alpine and open‑air parks often halve visitor totals in winter (measure by year). Special exhibits and new enclosures produce short-term spikes in attendance (annual report dates). City tourism levels matter: Zurich and Basel parks benefit from international flows (tourism board data). Transport links and marketing budgets shape reach; smaller parks with strong partnerships can outperform size in visitor-per-hectare metrics. For membership and conservation engagement, consult EAZA/WAZA lists (meas. 2024) and ZooSchweiz summaries (meas. 2024).

Story angles & hooks

I suggest the following data-led headlines and the supporting points we’ll gather and verify.

• “Top zoos for families”
  • Parks with >5 dedicated children’s exhibits (threshold, meas. 2024).
  • Average family ticket price ≤ CHF 60 (meas. 2024).
  • Median visit time < 3 hours (visitor surveys, meas. 2024).
  • Presence of at least two interactive areas and one playground (site inventories, meas. 2024).
• “Conservation heroes: Swiss zoos that saved species”
  • Parks that released >N individuals of threatened species in the last decade (release records, meas. 2024).
  • Participation in >M EEPs and documented breeding successes (EAZA participation logs, meas. 2024).
  • Dedicated annual conservation budgets >CHF P (annual reports, meas. 2024).
• “A long‑weekend itinerary: Zurich + Goldau”
  • Public transport travel times: Zurich ↔ Goldau under [minutes] (timetables, meas. 2024).
  • Combined recommended visit durations: Zurich Zoo 3–4 h + Goldau 2–3 h (visitor flow data, meas. 2024).
  • Best seasons by combined attendance and access: spring–early autumn (seasonal visitor data, meas. 2024).
  • Accessibility score for families (public transport + onsite facilities, meas. 2024). See our planning notes on a family trip for practical tips.

Data quality note: for publication we’ll replace all placeholders with date‑stamped figures from ZooSchweiz, individual zoo annual reports, EAZA/WAZA membership lists and national tourism analyses. Every ranking metric must carry the measurement year.

https://youtu.be/9np4fAZwE5Y

Sources

Zoo Zürich — Jahresbericht

Zoo Zürich — Facts & Figures

Zoo Basel — Publikationen

Zoo Basel — Facts & Figures

Natur- und Tierpark Goldau — Publikationen / Jahresbericht

Papiliorama — About / Papiliorama

Aquatis Aquarium-Vivarium Lausanne — About / Aquatis

Zoo La Garenne — About / Mission

Knies Kinderzoo — Knies Kinderzoo / Über uns

ZooSchweiz — Verband Schweizer Zoos

Swiss Federal Statistical Office — Tourism statistics

EAZA — Conservation Programmes (EEP)

WAZA — World Association of Zoos and Aquariums