Panthera

Panthera is the habitat of the big cats at Zoo Zurich. It is home to Asiatic lions (EN, endangered), Siberian tigers (EN, endangered), snow leopards (VU, vulnerable) and red pandas (EN, endangered). The zoo participates in ex-situ breeding programs for these species. The insect forest is also located in Panthera.

Here today, there tomorrow

A central element of Panthera is the so-called rotation principle. There are no fixed locations for the individual big cat species in the habitat. Instead, all four areas of Panthera are interconnected. The big cats use all areas in turn, but always remain separated by species.

For the big cats, the rotation means a form of «well-dosed stress». Every time the animals move to a new area, they check the new location for potential competitors, examine the tracks of their predecessors and re-mark the territory. This promotes the well-being and health of the animals.

Cats on the catwalk

The most spectacular connection between the different areas of Panthera is called the «catwalk»: a walkway with a thick tree trunk that leads over the heads of the zoo guests.

The catwalk offers zoo visitors a new and unusual perspective on the big cats. For the animals, meanwhile, it is an interesting observation post at lofty heights – cats like to have everything in view.

Eating and fasting

Panthera also has one large and two smaller aerial rope feeders and two tree feeders. On the largest of the three aerial rope feeders, the food – the «prey» – of the big cats whizzes through the habitat at speeds of up to 40 km/h. To catch the food, the animals have to be fast and work with a good hunting technique. If the cats are too slow, the food disappears from the habitat again – no food this time.

In the wild, only about one in ten hunting attempts by big cats is successful; most of the time, lions, tigers and snow leopards come up empty-handed – fasting is an integral part of their lifes. The aerial rope feeder simulates this effect.

Nature conservation in Thailand

Panthera is also committed to protecting the natural habitat of big cats. The zoo does this as part of the Kaeng Krachan conservation project in Thailand. Our long-standing commitment is already having an impact here. In December, the local conservation partners reported a significant increase in the tiger population.

Learn more

Panthera experiences

The following experiences offer an extra dose of Panthera:

• Guided tours – as a public tour, in your personal group or for schools
• Experience voucher – a look behind the scenes
• Workshop – specifically for schools
• Event location – your own pesonal event at Panthera

Animal presentations also take place regularly at Panthera. Please consult our daily udpated event calendar:

to the daily program

Panthera sponsorships

Make your contribution to the conservation of endangered big cats by sponsoring a lion, tiger or snow leopard.