Visit Alpenzoo

Published on July 4, 2024 at 4:00 pm

Having the chance to visit an ethical zoo is a rare thing. In many animal parks, we regret seeing cramped enclosures, with animals that seem unhappy because of captivity. Not so at Alpenzoo. Animal lovers will be delighted to see the incredible conservation work carried out by the keepers, who look after 150 endangered species from the Alps (lynx, eagles, wolves, bears, fish and birds).

Situated at an altitude of 750m, the zoo is set in idyllic surroundings, and the 2,000 animals that live there benefit from a temperature suited to their way of life. It's a unique place, as it's the only Alpine zoo in the world! It was originally created in 1962 by zoologist Hans Psenner, with the aim of reintroducing endangered species into the wild. It's a mission that has been a great success, given the many ibexes, marmots, ibises and black storks that have been released by the Alpenzoo over the years.

Ibex alpin au zoo d'Innsbruck en Autriche

Summary

A zoo unlike any other in the world
Visitors' favourite areas
Practical information

A zoo unlike any other in the world

Situated on the elevated Nordkette overlooking Innsbruck, L'Alpenzoo boasts an ideal natural setting. The gardens laid out on the hillside merge with the forest plots. Numerous natural features have been preserved or created for the well-being of the animals: pools of water, rocky slopes, various hiding places, in order to reproduce as closely as possible the natural environments of the different species.

Visitors' favourite areas

Two unusual features often attract visitors' attention: the cold-water aquarium, which is the largest in the world, and the various enclosures and aviaries you can enter (make sure you close the door behind you!).

You'll also learn that all the animals who have lived in the zoo for a long time have names! Some stars have even become famous: such as "Hero" the 1000 kg bison, or "Ander" the brown bear, named after a massive vote (500 votes) by the public.

Practical information

🚍 How do I get to the zoo?

Perched at 750 metres, Alpenzoo is the highest zoo in Europe! So to get there, you'll need to get a bit organised! There are two ways of getting to the zoo. To make your visit unforgettable, you can take theHungerburgerbahn funicular railway.

Seehof Innsbruck

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After getting off at the Alpenzoo stop in the forest, take the lift (or stairs) to the road. The zoo is then about 250 metres away, and the walk is a little uphill.

If you're in more of a hurry, or simply want to avoid the walk, you can opt for a more practical and direct solution, with the city bus, which drops you off directly opposite the zoo entrance. The fare is a very reasonable €2.80.

👉 Tips for your visit

A map is available at the entrance to the zoo. It is written in German, but one of the sections lists the species in English and Italian. Inside the zoo, don't panic: the animal icons and enclosure numbers mean you'll never get lost.

Advice from the Editor

💡 To get the chance to see the animals on the move, we advise you to come to the zoo around lunchtime. In fact, many animals are fed at this time, in order to respect their biological clock. You'll see the keepers interacting with a wide range of species.

by Faustine PEREZ

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Innsbruck