Numerous guests of honor and long-time supporters of Tierwelt Herberstein congratulated host Doris Wolkner-Steinberger on the park’s development to date. During a one-hour ceremony, the managing director, together with representatives from politics and business, looked back on the past ten years, focusing in particular on completed projects such as the introduction of new animal species, the construction of the Siamang House, and the expansion of the South America section. Dr. Christian Buchmann, the state councilor responsible for economic affairs, emphasized the importance of Tierwelt Herberstein for Styria: “Tierwelt Herberstein is a major tourist attraction for Styria. Other businesses, such as lodging providers and restaurants, also benefit. This generates economic value in the region, secures existing jobs, and creates new ones!”
The children from the St. Johann/Herberstein Elementary School presented their artwork and brought the wildlife to life on canvas as part of a school project. The winner of the summer drawing contest was announced—Lena Bruchmann’s painting from Bad Waltersdorf adorns the Herberstein Chocolate Special Edition by Felber Schokoladen, which is now available at the Simba Shop. The stage program concluded with an original “Animal World” birthday cake featuring sculpted animals from the bakery of Apfellandkonditorei Melounge in Stubenberg.
The ceremony was accompanied by music from the children’s choir “Die Ohrwürmer,” who surprised the audience with their own Herberstein song, as well as two hip-hop groups from “Meine Tanzschule Kummer.” There was no doubt that goosebumps were guaranteed when slackliner Michael Kemeter set off on his journey from Europe to Asia.
With a 30% increase in visitor numbers, the track record of the past 10 years is quite impressive. Just one day before the anniversary celebration, on September 30, 2016, the Schneider family from Katzelsdorf, Lower Austria, became the 200,000th visitor of the current season. The park is aiming to set a new visitor record in this anniversary year.
