Walter Zoo

Walter Zoo
Full name	Walter Zoo AG Gossau
motto	Experience adventure, understand nature
place	Neuchlen 200 ; 9200 Gossau SG
surface	10 ha
opening	1961
Animal species	approx. 130 species
Individuals	approx. 1000 animals
Visitor numbers	220,000 (2014)
organization
management	Karin Federer (director)
Sponsorship	Walter Zoo AG
Funding organizations	Walter Zoo patrons' association
Member of	EAZA , VdZ , Zooschweiz
	Zoo plan
	www.walterzoo.ch

47.419444444444 9.2852777777778Coordinates: 47 ° 25 ′ 10 " N , 9 ° 17 ′ 7" E ; CH1903: seven hundred and thirty-nine thousand three hundred thirty-nine / 253710

The Walter Zoo Gossau is a zoological garden above Gossau near St. Gallen . The zoo is home to around 1000 animals in over 130 animal species (2019). There are also numerous play and recreational opportunities for children on the 5.5 hectare site. The zoo also has 4.5 hectares of adjoining land, which can be expanded over the next few years according to the 2019 master plan. With over 220,000 visitors per year, the Walter Zoo is one of the most popular excursion destinations in Eastern Switzerland . As a scientifically managed zoo, it is a member of EAZA and zooschweiz . He is also involved in 19 (as of 2019) conservation breeding programs for endangered species.

history

Foundation (1st generation 1961–1985)

Walter Zoo was founded in Gossau in 1961 by Walter and Edith Pischl.

Walter (from an Austrian artist dynasty) and Edith Pischl (born in Herisau ) have settled down with their animals in Hundwil after a few years as circus artists in the Nock circus . Walter Pischl visited schools with the animals and gave lectures to make them better known to people. Due to their growing popularity, more and more sick or unpopular animals were placed in the care of the Pischl family, which made space at their old place of residence in Hundwil scarce and the family moved to Gossau .

On the occasion of the increasing maintenance costs for equipment and feed, the family decided to charge entry. However, this hardly improved the financially difficult situation. That is why the WALTER ZOO Association was founded in 1963 with the help of animal lovers.

The first house was built in 1973 for the chimpanzees , which is now the oldest house in the zoo and is now used as a "reptile house". Thanks to the Walter Zoo Association, land was purchased in 1980. In 1983, the hoofed animal shed and new aviaries were set up along the way .

2nd generation 1985-2011

1985 Walter and Edith Pischl handed over the zoo to Gabi (youngest daughter) and Ernst Federer. The groundbreaking ceremony for the tropical house with the zoo restaurant followed just one year later.

In 1995 Walter Pischl died unexpectedly. He had had a major impact on the zoo right up to its last days. He was still significantly involved in the construction of the new, large chimpanzee enclosure, which began in 1993.

Older logo

In 1997 Walter Zoo became a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). This resulted in close cooperation with other zoos in Europe .

In 2001 the private zoo was converted into a stock corporation and since 2006 the Walter Zoo has been a non-profit company.

In 2009 the new Tiger plant and the new office building (Oktagon) with seminar and meeting rooms were opened. In addition, there was the takeover of the Panorama dining restaurant, which is only a few meters away from the zoo.

3rd generation since 2011

In 2011, the third generation joined the management with the two granddaughters of Walter Pischl, Karin Federer (veterinarian) and Jeannine Gleichmann-Federer (artist).

Between October 2012 and January 2013 the exhibition Body Worlds of Animals took place in the zoo .

In 2013 the flamingo enclosure was renewed, a new veterinary station was opened in 2014 and the outdoor enclosure for the chimpanzees was renovated in 2015.

The Savannah House opened in 2017 and the new lion enclosure opened in autumn 2018 . After more than ten years, when the lions at that time were given for the enlargement of the tiger enclosures, lions came back to the zoo. It is the naturally extinct subspecies of the Berber lion . The new zoo school was opened with the new lion enclosure.

The new logo that the zoo has had since spring 2020 and on which the chimpanzee has been replaced by a dragonfly in a meadow is intended to illustrate the zoo's commitment to nature and species protection.

Master plan

Like every scientifically managed zoo, the Walter Zoo also has a master plan that specifies the zoo's development by 2040. In 2017 the zoo was able to acquire land in the southwestern part, which gives the zoo the opportunity to build new facilities. The biggest change is likely to be the planned relocation of the entrance from the upper part of the zoo to the parking lot.

Investments

Chimpanzees

The largest chimpanzee facility in Switzerland opened in 1993. The facility is inhabited by 19 chimpanzees (as of 2019), making it the largest group of chimpanzees in Switzerland.

Savanna house

The savannah house was opened in 2017 with the focus on the savannah habitat. A large part is the meerkat enclosure, which the meerkats share with the spurred turtles . But also less well-known animals like Gundi , African egg snake , naked mole rat or Fenneks can be admired. The crowd favorite, however, is the chameleon .

lion

With the opening of the new lion enclosure in autumn 2018, the lions came back. Three animals of the Berber lions, which became extinct in nature, now inhabit the facility. The generously designed outdoor area is the heart of the new themed area, which visitors can see from several sides. The zoo school is located above the indoor area and is connected to the outdoor area by a terrace. Various animals are also integrated in the zoo school. From the bacon beetles to giant millipedes and cockroaches to bearded dragons .

Tiger / leopard

Together with the lions, the tiger and leopard enclosure form the heart of the predator enclosures at Walter Zoo. The Siberian tiger is the largest subspecies of the tiger. In 2018 young animals were born.

Tropical house / reptile house

The current reptile house was the first house built in 1973. Meanwhile, to various reptiles and amphibians , such as Burmese pythons , Quittenwarane , dwarf crocodile , Egyptian tortoises or moss frogs be admired. The upper, half-open floor is inhabited by South American animal species such as agoutis , mustache tamarins , two-toed sloths , spherical armadillos and yellow-breasted macaws. In the adjacent tropical house , where the restaurant is also located, animals such as alligators , jumping tamarins , night monkeys , peacock rays , crocodile tees and green anacondas live .

Ungulates and petting zoo

There are some ungulates to see , from the trample to zebras and vicuñas to Shetland ponies . Most of them can also be fed with hay pellets . With the African dwarf goats you can enter the facility and pet and feed the goats.

Pond dwellers

The pond landscape in the northern part of the zoo can accommodate various duck species , like the marsh ducks , marbled , Pochards , mandarin ducks , pintail ducks and wood ducks . The flamingos, which were bred for the first time in 2018, are also popular. There were offspring again in 2019. There are also nutrias and emus . The walk-in Vogelvolière with pink cockatoos , budgies and horned parakeets is also popular. The St. Gallen winged pigeons , yellow-breasted macaws , barn owl and desert buzzard are used for training. This flight training can be admired on Wednesdays and Fridays in summer.

quarantine

The Walter Zoo is a sanctuary for confiscated animals from Eastern Switzerland. These are maintained and looked after by the zoo until a suitable place is found. At the same time, the quarantine is used for newly arrived animals, which must first be tested for diseases .

Zoo educational offer

Walter Zoo has a wide range of educational options, which was expanded with the opening of the zoo school in autumn 2018. The zoo school was built in the style of an African lodge and shows the four large pillars of a scientifically managed zoo according to Heini Hediger : nature and species protection , education , research and recreation . In addition to guided tours and animal lectures, the zoo school offers workshops for school classes of all ages on various topics related to animals and nature and species protection. The shoulder shows, which were already held by the founder Walter Pischl, will continue to be offered in a contemporary form.

Mission statement and tasks

As a member of EAZA, Walter Zoo is committed to modern and scientific management of the company. Participation in 19 European Conservation Breeding Programs ( EEP ) (as of 2019) also helps to preserve endangered animal species such as the Amur leopard , chimpanzee , Egyptian tortoise , hyacinth macaw , vicuna , Amur tiger , fennec , gundi , two-toed sloth , gray-handed night monkey , squirrel monkey , jumping tamarin , Mustache tamarin , Madagascar dog-headed boa , gila-shelled lizard , European pond turtle , column turtle , crocodile and kea . Walter Zoo is a member of Zooschweiz (Association of Scientifically Managed Zoological Gardens in Switzerland), Wildlife Parks and Zoos Switzerland (WZS) and the Association of Zoological Gardens (VdZ).

Attractions

With the petting zoo , camel and pony rides and, since spring 2017, the accessible Vogelvolière, the zoo's offerings are strongly focused on families . The Zootheater takes place from the end of March to mid-October with an annually changing program. During the one-hour performance, nature conservation topics are conveyed in an understandable way for children. During the winter months, the traditional Tingel-Tangel-Varieté offers entertainment for adults with a four-course menu. In summer it is also possible to spend the night in a tipi tent in the zoo and to be guided through the zoo at night and early in the morning.