Doris Wolkner-Steinberger, managing director of Tierwelt Herberstein, can also report encouraging visitor numbers for 2010. “181,000 guests visited us last year, which means we were able to increase the numbers from 2009 once again!” says the successful managing director happily. She and her team are looking forward to the new year with great anticipation, as the new subsidiary, Wildpark Mautern in Upper Styria, is set to open on April 23.

In 2011, Herberstein will heed the“Call of America”and organize many activities centered on the wolf, the theme animal . “The timberwolf enclosure will be renovated in the coming weeks. In the future, visitors will be able to encounter the wolves at eye level!” reveals Doris Wolkner-Steinberger. But that’s not all: a renovation of the tapir enclosure is also in the works.

There’s no sign of hibernation in the animal kingdom either! Just before Christmas, there was a new arrival at the Landau Zoo in Germany. Romeo, a 6-month-old blue wildebeest, was chosen as a mate for Julia , a Herberstein’s wildebeest. Their first meeting went smoothly—you could even say, “It’s love at first sight!” Offspring aren’t expected until summer 2012 at the earliest.