The Wildenburg Wildlife Enclosure is located near Kempfeld below the Wildenburg. Here the visitor can observe various native animal species during a wonderful excursion.
During our visit to EdelSteinLand, we visited the Wildenburg Wildlife Enclosure. After parking the car in the large visitors’ car park, we went to the entrance of the wildlife enclosure. We didn’t get far, two magnificent peacocks had made themselves comfortable under the canopy and were sitting right in front of the entrance door. What a lovely welcome! Fortunately, after we had greeted them nicely, both animals were ready to clear the way and let us pass.
Wildenburg Wildlife Enclosure – a tour
The Wildenburg Wildlife Enclosure is located in a 42-hectare area characterised by large meadows and woodland. Visitors walk past all the enclosures on two natural circular paths of different lengths.
Right at the beginning of the tour, you come to the petting enclosure, which is certainly particularly interesting for children. Here, for example, visitors can stroke the sheep. In this area of the wildlife enclosure, not only geese crossed our path, but also a fluffy chicken (silkie) pecked around in the sand next to the path.
Our way led us on the “Small Circular Trail” past the large wooded enclosures. In summer, when the bushes and trees are full of leaves, you have to look very closely to spot animals. They have sufficient retreat possibilities and do not “wait” directly at the fence for the visitor. During our visit in winter, there was no foliage to block our view. The animals were clearly visible between the trees and so we could observe them in peace.
Full of excitement, we could see a stag with huge antlers. What I didn’t know is that the growth of the antlers is controlled by the male sex hormone testosterone. Two bone rods grow out of the cone-shaped bone structure on the forehead of the male. These branch out or widen the older the animal gets.
The hunter then divides the deer into sixths, eights,… based on the number of branches. What name would the animal we observed have been given? The weight of the antlers that the animal carries on its head is enormous. I have held an antler in my hand and already after a short time it was far too heavy for me. After the end of the growth phase, the blood supply in the antlers stops. The bone substance dies and the stag sheds its headdress.
Only a few steps away is the wild boar enclosure in the Wildenburg Wildlife Enclosure. Admittedly, I am very reluctant to meet wild boars in the wild and, believe it or not, even in a big city like Berlin you are not safe from these animals. I prefer the encounter here in the forest on the edge of the Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park with a fence in between. The typical “wild boar smell” was in the air and the pigs were right behind the fence. Actually, they are cute…so behind the fence….
Visiting the enclosure with the food bucket
The animals in the wildlife enclosure do not live completely “wild”. Of course, the keepers also take care of the animals’ health. With some animals it is possible to look at them a little more closely during feeding. Take the sika deer, for example.
The sika deer is much smaller than the red deer. In terms of body size, they are more like fallow deer. The male animals weigh a good 80 kilograms and have a shoulder height of about 64-100 cm. The female animal is somewhat smaller and appears almost “delicate”. In summer, the animals’ fur is reddish brown with white spots. Because of this colouring, it often happens that they are mistaken for fallow deer. During our visit in winter we could almost not see these spots.
We were allowed into the enclosure with the herd of sikhs and experienced the feeding of the animals. It is important to remember during such a visit that these are wild animals that know humans but are not tame. And that is exactly how they behaved. The animals know the bucket with the food and so it hardly took a minute before we were surrounded by the animals. Some of the animals were brave and ate from our hands, others preferred to stand a few steps away and watched cautiously. Of course, they don’t let people touch or stroke them voluntarily. But when they are standing so close around you, you can of course observe them well and, for example, recognise injuries that need to be treated by a vet if necessary.
After the food was distributed and the herd was eating contentedly, we left the enclosure again. Those who sign up for special guided tours in the wildlife park can take part in an animal feeding. A great experience!
Feeding the wolves
Not only the sika deer could enjoy their food during our visit, but also the wolves in their outdoor enclosure had not been fed for several days. The European grey wolves get their food about every 3 days in this wild animal park.
The three males and the female have been living in their large well-secured enclosure for some time. They know people, but they are not tame. So no one enters the compound when the animals are out and about. Initially, this means for feeding that the animals have to be separated in a certain area so that the food can be distributed on the grounds.
On this day, 5 still somewhat frozen rabbits were on the menu for 4 wolves. These were distributed on the grounds near our stand in front of the fence. Then we had to wait until the animals were let into this area again. For us it was a time of speculation – how quickly would the animals find their food, would there be a fight…?
It was not long before the first wolf appeared. He immediately grabbed a rabbit and began to eat hungrily. The other three animals also quickly found what they were looking for and each animal ate at some distance from its fellow inhabitant. The only question that remained was, who would get the fifth piece of meat? One of the wolves suddenly left his food and searched the immediate surroundings. He actually found the remaining food ration and brought it back to his starting point. Surprisingly, no one challenged him for this portion. Apparently there was enough food for everyone and after the animals had finished their meal they retreated back into the forest.
Release into the wild no longer possible
During the tour we also got to see some animals that can spend their twilight years in the wildlife enclosure.
In an aviary, for example, a buzzard was sitting on a branch. It is blind in one eye and could not survive in the wild. In the adjacent area we discover an eagle owl that can no longer fly. For this animal, too, life outside the protected space would not be possible.
Other inhabitants that would no longer survive in the wild, also due to injuries and age, had preferred not to show themselves that day. The raccoons and the wild cat had retreated into their hiding places. On other days, however, you can observe them well with a bit of luck.
Animalic finish
Our stay at the Wildenburg Wildlife Enclosure ended with a visit to the cute pot-bellied pigs. One of the pigs had visibly enjoyed the mud in the enclosure. A wonderful crust of mud covered the animal, which came grunting to the fence. I wonder if this is where the expression “dirty pig” comes from. It would have been appropriate in any case.
After I had quickly cuddled a goat, we left this great excursion point in EdelSteinLand. We really enjoyed our visit to the Wildenburg Wildlife Enclosure. Here you can spend an eventful time out in nature at any time of the year, go for a walk and let your mind wander.
Address:
Wildenburger Straße 22
55758 Kempfeld
Opening hours:
1.04. – 30.11.: 9 – 17:30 h
1.12. – 31.03.: 9 – 16:30 h
There is an open evening exit through which visitors can leave the grounds.
Admission fees:
Adults: 6,-€
Discounts are offered.
Good to know
Yes, as long as the dog stays on a leash, it is also allowed to visit the wildlife enclosure.
Yes. Please note that there are mainly natural paths leading through a wooded area.
There are two children’s playgrounds.
There are picnic areas with tables and benches on the grounds. Here you are welcome to eat the food you have brought with you.
No!
Those who like to feed animals can buy and feed food to some of the animals living there in the petting area of the facility. In addition, it is possible to take part in special guided tours and witness the feeding of the wild animals.
Yes, guided tours are offered for a fee. For example, visitors can book the wolf-blood wolf landscape, adventure tours or ranger tours.
In addition, there is the possibility to take part in photo workshops that focus on the animals.
Yes, it is possible to book special offers for a child’s birthday party that will make the day unforgettable.
Bus lines 840, 890 and 899 go to the wildlife enclosure. Please get off at the bus stop: Kempfeld Wildenburg.
The visit to the Wildenburg Wildlife Enclosure was an item on the agenda of a press trip to EdelSteinLand.
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