The Bavarian wildlife enclosures have apparently survived the restrictions on visits during the corona pandemic well. The small game parks in particular were winners after the pandemic and had gained acceptance, said the chairman of the German Game Reserve Association Eckhard Wiesenthal. “In 2022 we had more visitors than ever before,” reports a spokesman for the Schweinfurt wildlife park. The restrictions on catering during the lockdowns were difficult for many wildlife parks. Many parks report that donations have often increased during the pandemic. But according to the association, they are not enough for daily expenses. While parks in the public sector are supported by the city and municipality, according to the game reserve association, it was difficult for private parks in between. According to the association, state funding in Bavaria lagged far behind the commitment of other federal states. The Bavarian Ministry of Economics confirms that there was no separate aid program for wildlife parks. However, botanical gardens and zoos would have received at least 2.6 million euros in aid during the pandemic. In addition, individual projects would be funded across the state, for example in 2022 in the Hundshaupten and Höllohe parks. According to the Wildlife Enclosure Association, the currently rising energy costs are less of a problem for wildlife parks with native animals – in contrast to zoos with tropical houses.
Wildlife parks strengthened by pandemic – Bavaria
