Amurtiger im Lebensraum Panthera des Zoo Zürich.

Habitat at the Zoo

Panthera

Panthera is the habitat for the big cats at Zoo Zurich. What makes it special is that the animals move from place to place.

Our Kaeng Krachan conservation project in Thailand

Asiatische Löwen, Amurtiger und Schneeleoparden tauschen in Panthera immer wieder ihren Aufenthaltsort. Das fordert und fördert sie. In der Natur sind die Tiere alle gefährdet. Wir beteiligen uns an ihrer Erhaltung.

Panthera in Pictures

Snow leopard. Photo: Zoo Zurich, Tim Benz

Amur tiger. Photo: Zoo Zurich, Enzo Franchini

Asiatic lion. Photo: Zoo Zurich, Enzo Franchini

Red panda. Photo: Zoo Zurich, Tim Benz

Finding Your Way Around the Zoo

Find Panthera at the Zoo

Our zoo map shows you where to find Panthera at Zoo Zurich—as well as all the other habitats, dining areas, restrooms, playgrounds, and more.

View the Zoo Map
Kleiner Panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) im Zoo Zürich.

Panthera in Numbers

  • 17

    metres is the length of the elevated “catwalk”.

  • 4

    different areas make up Panthera.

  • 1000

    insects from more than ten species live in the Insect Forest, which is part of Panthera.

  • 2025

    was the year we opened Panthera.

    • Here today, there tomorrow

    A central element of Pantheras is the rotation principle. Within the habitat, there are no fixed territories for the individual big cat species. Instead, all four areas of Pantheras are interconnected. The big cats take turns using all the areas, but always remain separated from one another by species.

    Visualisierung des Rotationsprinzips im Lebensraum Panthera des Zoo Zürich.

    In Panthera, the different big cat species regularly change location. Graphic: Zoo Zurich

    For big cats, the rotation principle means “moderate stress.” Every time the animals move to a new area, they check the new location for competitors, examine the traces left by their predecessors, and re-mark their territory. This is good for the animals’ well-being and health.

    Asiatischer Löwe auf dem Catwalk im Lebensraum Panthera des Zoo Zürich.

    High above the ground: the catwalk. Photo: Zoo Zurich, Fabio Süess

    Cats on the Catwalk

    The most spectacular connection between the various Pantheras enclosures is the “Catwalk”: a walkway featuring a thick tree trunk that stretches over the heads of zoo visitors. It offers zoo visitors a new and unusual perspective on the big cats. For the animals, it serves as an ideal observation post high up in the air—cats like to keep an eye on everything.

    Two Places, One Goal

    Protecting Their Habitat

    At the zoo, we maintain reserve populations of big cats—and in the wild, we work to protect their habitats. Learn more about our Kaeng Krachan conservation project.

    Discover now
    Amurtiger im Kaeng Krachan Nationalpark in Thailand.

    Panthera Webcam

    The webcam shows the "Deciduous Forest" section of Panthera. Animals may not always be visible in the image.

    Insect Forest

    The Insect Forest is also located within the Panthera big cat habitat. It provides a habitat for up to 1,000 animals representing more than 10 different species of insects, isopods, and spiders.

    Small creatures in a big role: insects are also an important part of the Panthera habitat. Photo: Zoo Zurich, Fabio Süess

    In the outdoor area in front of the Insect Forest, native insect species find a habitat with a natural food supply and various nesting options.

    In the indoor section of the Insect Forest, zoo visitors can see exotic species of insects, arthropods, and spiders.

    Visitors and animals can get up close and personal in the Insect Forest, because there are no glass barriers between people and animals here.

    Ein Kind beobachtet eine Malaiische Riesengespenstschrecke (Heteropteryx dilatata) im Insektenwald des Zoo Zürich.

    In the Insect Forest, insects and people can get very close. Photo: Zoo Zurich, Charles Negre

    • Education
    • Research
    • Species Conservation
    • Blick aus der Luft auf einen Teil des Nouabalé-Ndoki-Nationalparks (NNNP) im Kongo.HabitatsWe protect nature – locally and globally
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