Well, it’s a place that no other ZooChatter seems to have made much mention of, and I went today on the VIP tour, so I guessed I’d give a run-down of the place as it currently is.
Located about an hour north of Berlin, Wildkatzenzentrum Felidae is a small [2 ha], privately-owned centre relying solely on tourist funding. As the name implies, the centre specialises mainly in cats of various species, though also has other species of carnivore, most notably all 3 species of true-hyaena. A visitor cannot simply show up to the centre for visit - one can only arrive having booked a guided tour beforehand.
The centre is much an out-of-the-way place, located adjacent to a forest which itself is near some green land, some of which the centre owns.
Entering the centre’s entrance and exit building, one can see perhaps tayra, a cheetah, a black leopard, and maybe African Wildcats to boot, in an area on the other side of the building. Being small and out-of-the-way, the enclosures are perhaps not mind-blowing in appearance or spectacle, but are perfectly adequate for their respective species. As for English-speaking people like myself, the tour guide I had seemingly did speak English to a good level, but would sometimes need help in regard to the names of some of the animals. Most of the cages had no signage, but the guide should tell you about the animals inside.
After the African Wildcats, I was then directed to the space of green land the centre owns - where the cats and other animals have a good degree of foliage. The area is what one may call ‘off the beaten path’, as there is no consistent pathway here, but this should not be a dire issue. I think the same is so for the other area.
Species kept here include serval, bobcat, tiger [of mixed blood], caracal, Siberian weasel [which I did not see..], and, perhaps most excitingly, the spotted, striped, and brown hyaena. On a VIP tour, the guide allows one to feed the tiger with chicks and, under the guide’s supervision, stroke the spotted hyaena - of course, within the constraints of the enclosure’s barriers, so one need not fear about returning with one arm less than when they came in ! The animals respect the guide, and act docile towards him, and the guests near him.
In the other area I was directed to there is more animal life - two black leopards [in separate enclosures], a visitor-affectionate honey badger [very curious to see what is around him!], binturongs of Palawan, fossas [two pairs in separate enclosures], ichneumon [surprisingly volatile!], genets, African civet, rusty-spotted cat, clouded leopards, a cheetah, tayras, and perhaps the highlight of the guided tour - the snow leopards. Watching the three cats snarl and run around as they anticipate being fed allows one to appreciate the power held even in the small member of the big-cats group. The cheetah is currently held in what is a fairly small enclosure for an animal of her nature - though according to the guide, planning is being made for a larger enclosure. For what it is worth, the cheetah seems also to approve of visitor interaction. [through bars, of course !]
All in all, the VIP experience was very much enjoyable - and perhaps if I am to find myself in Germany again, I will repeat the experience. In any case, I would imagine even on another ticket option, one will still enjoy the variety of species on display.
Photos will be uploaded soon
Located about an hour north of Berlin, Wildkatzenzentrum Felidae is a small [2 ha], privately-owned centre relying solely on tourist funding. As the name implies, the centre specialises mainly in cats of various species, though also has other species of carnivore, most notably all 3 species of true-hyaena. A visitor cannot simply show up to the centre for visit - one can only arrive having booked a guided tour beforehand.
The centre is much an out-of-the-way place, located adjacent to a forest which itself is near some green land, some of which the centre owns.
Entering the centre’s entrance and exit building, one can see perhaps tayra, a cheetah, a black leopard, and maybe African Wildcats to boot, in an area on the other side of the building. Being small and out-of-the-way, the enclosures are perhaps not mind-blowing in appearance or spectacle, but are perfectly adequate for their respective species. As for English-speaking people like myself, the tour guide I had seemingly did speak English to a good level, but would sometimes need help in regard to the names of some of the animals. Most of the cages had no signage, but the guide should tell you about the animals inside.
After the African Wildcats, I was then directed to the space of green land the centre owns - where the cats and other animals have a good degree of foliage. The area is what one may call ‘off the beaten path’, as there is no consistent pathway here, but this should not be a dire issue. I think the same is so for the other area.
Species kept here include serval, bobcat, tiger [of mixed blood], caracal, Siberian weasel [which I did not see..], and, perhaps most excitingly, the spotted, striped, and brown hyaena. On a VIP tour, the guide allows one to feed the tiger with chicks and, under the guide’s supervision, stroke the spotted hyaena - of course, within the constraints of the enclosure’s barriers, so one need not fear about returning with one arm less than when they came in ! The animals respect the guide, and act docile towards him, and the guests near him.
In the other area I was directed to there is more animal life - two black leopards [in separate enclosures], a visitor-affectionate honey badger [very curious to see what is around him!], binturongs of Palawan, fossas [two pairs in separate enclosures], ichneumon [surprisingly volatile!], genets, African civet, rusty-spotted cat, clouded leopards, a cheetah, tayras, and perhaps the highlight of the guided tour - the snow leopards. Watching the three cats snarl and run around as they anticipate being fed allows one to appreciate the power held even in the small member of the big-cats group. The cheetah is currently held in what is a fairly small enclosure for an animal of her nature - though according to the guide, planning is being made for a larger enclosure. For what it is worth, the cheetah seems also to approve of visitor interaction. [through bars, of course !]
All in all, the VIP experience was very much enjoyable - and perhaps if I am to find myself in Germany again, I will repeat the experience. In any case, I would imagine even on another ticket option, one will still enjoy the variety of species on display.
Photos will be uploaded soon
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