Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park

What Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park does

Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park (legal entity "Fauna" Wildpark GmbH) operates a 48-hectare wildlife park in Bad Mergentheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, housing over 50 European animal species in naturalistic open-view enclosures, including what is described as Europe's largest wolf pack (up to 30 animals). The park has been owned and operated by the Rügamer family since Rolf Rügamer assumed control in 1988, with Marcus Rügamer currently serving as Managing Director. Core operations span animal husbandry and visitor experiences including keeper-led feeding rounds, a petting zoo, a 2,000+ sqm adventure playground (Koboldburg), and on-site dining facilities (Koboldküche, Waldschänke, Kiosk). The park is recognized on Germany Travel's (DZT) Top 100 attractions list and holds the Deutscher Wildgehege-Verband education seal, the Baden-Württemberg "Nachhaltiges Reiseziel" certification, and the Familien-Ferien award.

The business generates revenue through six identifiable streams: day admissions and group tickets sold at the Jägerstube entrance and online; e-commerce merchandise (clothing, toys, household items) via wildtierpark.shop; premium guided experiences (Heulen mit den Wölfen, Kulinarische Genießerführung, Koboldtour) priced at €105–€150 flat plus per-person fees; overnight accommodations (Wolfswagen, Wolfsbus) and the partner-branded Trapperbus; venue rental of the Grillhütte and beer gardens for private celebrations and corporate events; and on-site food and beverage. The go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer digital channels (website, MailerLite newsletter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) with seasonal event programming (Weidenkino outdoor cinema, WILDOWEEN, Winterfunkeln Christmas market) co-produced with local partners including Stadt Bad Mergentheim, Kino MOVIES, and Therme Solymar. The technology layer is non-proprietary, relying on a standard e-commerce storefront and commodity third-party services for analytics, consent, mapping, and payment processing, with no AI, ML, or proprietary platform disclosed.

Name

Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park

Legal name

"Fauna" Wildpark GmbH

Website

https://wildtierpark.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Family-owned wildlife park in Bad Mergentheim, Germany, operating 48 hectares of naturalistic enclosures with 50+ European animal species and Europe's largest wolf pack. Generates revenue from admissions, premium guided experiences, overnight accommodations, venue rental, and on-site food and beverage for regional families and event groups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Park and Animal Tourism Services

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Zoo & Aquarium Parks (Ticketed Wildlife Attractions) (THAJAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL)

Keywords

• Wildlife park experiences
• Guided animal tours
• Family leisure attractions
• Themed overnight stays
• Wildlife park admissions

Headquarters

HQ city

Bad Mergentheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Admissions & Day Tickets: Revenue from individual and group day tickets sold at the entrance (Jägerstube) and online through the shop. Tickets are sold as one-time entry with prices varying by visitor category.
2. E-commerce & Merchandise: The online shop (wildtierpark.shop) sells merchandise including clothing (T-shirts, caps with animal motifs), household items (cups, dishes), plush toys, books, games, and souvenirs. Physical merchandise is shipped via postal services.
3. Special Experiences & Guided Tours: Premium experiences including 'Heulen mit den Wölfen' (Wolf Howling, 150€ flat + 10€/person), Kulinarische Genießerführung (Gourmand Tour, 115€ + 15€/person), Koboldtour for children (105€ + 11€/person), and individually arranged exclusive tours.
4. Accommodation Stays: Overnight experiences including the Wolfswagen (Wolf Wagon) sleeping 2 adults + up to 2 children directly at the wolf enclosure, and the Wolfsbus (Wolf Bus) — a converted fire engine — sleeping 2 adults. Also the Trapperbus via partner Jakobshof. Booked through the online shop.
5. Venue Rental & Celebrations: Revenue from renting the Grillhütte (grill hut, ~100 covered seats), Biergärten (beer gardens), and celebration packages for birthdays and private events.
6. Food & Beverage: On-site dining at the Koboldküche (snack kitchen), Waldschänke (forest pavilion), and Kiosk, serving regional and self-produced food including burgers, warm meals, ice cream, and drinks.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park is a 48-hectare wildlife park in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, that sells day admission, premium guided tours, themed overnight accommodations, on-site dining, venue rentals, and branded merchandise. The park features over 50 European animal species in naturalistic open-view enclosures, including one of Europe's largest wolf packs (up to 30 animals), and operates a 2,000+ sqm adventure playground, petting zoo, and seasonal event programming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wolfswagen: Overnight accommodation inside the wildlife park near the wolf enclosure, sleeping 2 adults with up to 2 children.
• Wolfsbus
• Trapperbus
• Genießerführung
• Heulen mit den Wölfen
• Koboldtour
• Koboldküche
• Waldschänke
• Winterfunkeln
• Weidenkino

Products and services

• Day Admission Tickets (Wildpark Entry) Daily admission to the 48-hectare wildlife park for individual visitors and groups, granting access to over 50 European animal species in open-view enclosures.
• Heulen mit den Wölfen (Wolf Howling Experience) Premium keeper-led evening encounter at the wolf enclosure lasting approximately 1.5 hours, bookable for groups of 1–50 persons, aimed at wildlife enthusiasts and event bookers.
• Kulinarische Genießerführung (Culinary Gourmand Tour) Premium guided culinary tour through the park with food and beverage pairings, hosted by animal caretakers for individuals and private groups.
• Koboldtour (Children's Guided Adventure Tour) Keeper-led children's adventure tour exploring the park, bookable for 1–20 persons with parents/legal guardians as mandatory paying participants.
• Wolfswagen (Wolf Wagon Overnight Stay) Themed on-site overnight stay for 2 adults and up to 2 children located directly at the wolf enclosure, booked via the wildtierpark.shop.
• Wolfsbus (Wolf Bus Overnight Stay) Novelty overnight stay in a converted fire engine located at the wolf enclosure, accommodating 2 adults and booked through the wildtierpark.shop.
• Trapperbus Overnight Stay (partner offering via Jakobshof) Adventure overnight accommodation provided in partnership with Jakobshof, including a treasure map guided arrival and breakfast service to the bus.
• Grillhütte (Grill Hut) Rental Rental of a covered grill hut with approximately 100 seats for private celebrations and corporate events, including fire-making materials and subject to AGB cancellation terms.
• On-site Food & Beverage (Koboldküche, Waldschänke, Kiosk) On-site dining service offered at three park-operated outlets — the Koboldküche snack kitchen, Waldschänke forest tavern, and Kiosk — featuring regional and self-produced food and drinks.
• Wildpark Branded Merchandise (online shop) Branded consumer merchandise sold through the wildtierpark.shop e-commerce store, including apparel, household goods, plush toys, books, games, and souvenirs.
• Weidenkino Outdoor Cinema Ticketed outdoor cinema event held on the wildlife park's high pasture, programmed across multiple evenings during August in collaboration with local cinema Kino MOVIES and the city of Bad Mergentheim.
• Winterfunkeln Christmas Market Annual Christmas market experience hosted at the wildlife park during November and December, accessible via event tickets purchased through the online shop.

Quantifiable outcome

• One of the most species-rich wildlife parks in Europe with over 50 animal species
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• JakobshofminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJakobshof is a partner location cooperating on the 'Trapperbus' overnight experience — a themed accommodation option booked through Jakobshof's own website, offering guests a treasure-map adventure with breakfast delivered to the bus.
• ps:ag – Marketing, Werbung, DesignminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing and design agency providing creative services for the park's branding and communications.
• DeutscheTierparkGesellschaftcoreOthersThe German Zoo Society is the primary industry association for zoological institutions in Germany, of which the park is a member. Supports best practices and professional standards.
• Deutscher Wildgehege-Verband E.V.coreOthersThe German Wildlife Enclosure Association is the primary trade body for wildlife parks and enclosures in Germany. The park holds the Tiergarten mit Bildungssiegel (Education Seal) from this association and displays its logo as a quality certification.
• Stadt Bad MergentheimminorOthersThe city of Bad Mergentheim is a local government partner, collaborating on events such as the Weidenkino outdoor cinema.
• Kino MOVIESminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal cinema partner collaborating on the Weidenkino outdoor cinema event series, providing films and programming for 13 evenings during August.
• Therme Solymar Bad MergentheimminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal spa partner collaborating on the Weidenkino outdoor cinema event series.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Serengeti Park Hodenhagen: Germany's largest safari/wildlife park operating drive-through and walk-through sections with over 1,500 animals. Directly comparable as a privately operated German wildlife park competing for family day-trip and overnight-stay demand.
• NaturZoo Rheine: Mid-sized German wildlife zoo combining European species, walk-through enclosures and educational programming. Comparable in scale, species focus and family-day-trip use case.
• Opel-Zoo (von Opel Hessian Zoological Park): Privately funded zoological park near Frankfurt with open-view enclosures and an emphasis on European species, comparable in operating philosophy and family-day-trip economics.
• Wildpark Schwarze Berge: Wildlife park south of Hamburg focused on European native species with walking trails, playgrounds and on-site gastronomy — overlapping product mix and target audience with Bad Mergentheim.
• Wildpark Lüneburger Heide: Regional wildlife park in northern Germany focused on native European species in open enclosures. Comparable as a regional, family-oriented Tierpark competing for the same school-trip and family-day-out segment.
• Wildpark Poing: Large free-access wildlife park near Munich featuring European species in naturalistic enclosures, a strong regional family visitor base, and on-site dining — structurally similar to Bad Mergentheim's positioning.
• Tierpark Hagenbeck (Hagenbeck Zoo, Hamburg): Hamburg's historic zoo and one of Germany's most-visited wildlife attractions, with a long-standing family-ownership heritage and similar mix of open-view enclosures, premium experiences and on-site F&B.

Broad incumbents

• Zoo Berlin: Germany's most-visited zoo and one of the world's most species-rich. Sets the upper bound for scale, ticket pricing and educational programming in the German wildlife-attraction market.
• Tierpark Hellabrunn (Munich Zoo): Munich's municipal zoo, one of Germany's largest and most-visited. Broader species mix and global footprint, but competes directly for the Bavarian/Southern Germany family leisure audience.
• Zoo Heidelberg: Major regional zoo in Baden-Württemberg with a strong family-leisure and education proposition; closest geographic incumbent within the same federal state.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/wildparkbadmergentheim
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wildpark

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park