Excursion destination

Springe Bison Reserve

A great place to visit for the whole family: At the Springe Bison Reserve, you can observe all the animals in their natural habitat.

100 different game species

The bison enclosure was founded in 1928 to save the bison - Europe's largest mammal - from extinction. With 310 births by 2007, the bison enclosure has made a significant contribution to the survival of the species. Today, the enclosure provides a species-appropriate home for around 100 species of wildlife on an area of over 90 hectares, including pristine bison and Przewalski's wild horses, magnificent brown bears and elegant otters as well as mysterious wolves.

Bison Enclosure in Springe — Wolf in the Springe Bison Enclosure

Resettlement projects

The conservation breeding of endangered species is not only the foundation of the facility but remains one of its key objectives. The bison enclosure has consistently contributed to reintroduction projects by providing suitable animals: for example, Przewalski’s horses from Springe have helped establish new populations in Mongolia and China.

Animal species in their natural habitat

Environmental education is also an important goal of the bison enclosure. The main and biggest difference to other zoological facilities is the "presentation" of the animal species in their natural habitat. Various woodpecker species, kingfishers, bats, free-breeding eagle owls, gray herons, many insects and many other animals also find a species-appropriate home. The bison enclosure sees it as its task to inform visitors through detailed signage, numerous guided tours and breathtaking flight demonstrations as well as public feedings and special events, thus sensitizing them to the issues of species, nature and environmental protection.

In addition, the Nature School gives children and teenagers the opportunity to experience environmental education firsthand in the great outdoors. For those who find the approximately 6-kilometer loop trail—which offers unforgettable moments and encounters for animal lovers of all ages—insufficient, the bison enclosure offers the chance to get a taste of a zookeeper’s daily routine by serving as a “temporary zookeeper.”