Tierpark Dählhölzli

What Tierpark Dählhölzli does

Tierpark Bern is a municipal zoological institution founded in 1930 and owned by the City of Bern, operating two complementary sites: the admission-based Dählhölzli-Zoo, which houses 200+ animal species in forested enclosures, and the free-access BärenPark located at the foot of Bern's Old Town along the Aare river. Core offerings include ticketed zoo entry (CHF 7-28), educational programming for schools, guided tours, the Eulen Bistro restaurant, on-site and online retail shops, and event hosting including high-end private experiences such as Valentine's Day dinners. The institution is supported by the Tierparkverein Bern, a membership association of 8,000+ members that has cumulatively invested over CHF 20 million in facilities since 1930, and holds EAZA (2026), WAZA, VDZ, and zooschweiz accreditations.

The business model is diversified across multiple low-friction revenue streams: gate admissions, voluntary per-visitor conservation contributions (Naturschutzfranken), CHF 15 annual memberships, retail merchandise, food and beverage, private event hire, animal sponsorships, individual donations, and third-party foundation grants. Tierparkverein's investing role is complemented by partnerships with Burgergemeinde Bern, Rudolf Seelhofer-Stiftung, Die Mobiliar, WWF Bern, KORA, Naturpark Gantrisch, Vetsuisse, PH Bern, and Stiftung Artenschutz, alongside Kanton Bern on applied conservation projects such as the Bern Beetle Project. Distribution is conducted through a multilingual website (German, English, French), YouTube, Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, email newsletters, press releases, and the quarterly UHU magazine printed at 15,000 copies. There is no proprietary technology platform; the operation is a traditional, accessibility-compliant (WCAG 2.1 AA), GDPR/Swiss-data-protection-aligned municipal zoo.

Recent strategic activity centers on incremental habitat expansion (Eulen Bistro renovation in April 2022, bee-eater enclosure in May 2024, Asia aviary announced for 2026), conservation programming (rhinoceros beetle release in July 2024), and accreditation milestones (EAZA in 2026). Headcount disclosed is 14 listed employees, with the broader operating model relying on the Tierparkverein volunteer and donor base, civic partnerships, and seasonal programming to deliver the public-service mandate.

Name

Tierpark Dählhölzli

Legal name

TIERPARK BERN

Website

https://tierpark-bern.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1930

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tierpark Bern is a municipal zoo founded in 1930 and operated by the City of Bern, running the Dählhölzli-Zoo with 200+ species and a free BärenPark. It serves residents, tourists, schools, and event clients via admissions, memberships, F&B, retail, and donations backed by the 8,000+ member Tierparkverein.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Zoo & Wildlife Park

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Zoo & Aquarium Parks (Ticketed Wildlife Attractions) (THAJAEAE), Wildlife Viewing & Birdwatching Tours (THAAAEAB)

Keywords

• Zoo operations
• Wildlife conservation
• Animal park experiences
• Environmental education programs
• Zoological institution

Headquarters

HQ city

Bern

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Entry fees: Admission fees charged at entry to Dählhölzli-Zoo. Children (6+) pay CHF 7, adults pay CHF 11, families pay CHF 28. Prices include voluntary Naturschutzfranken (conservation franc).
2. Retail (Zooshop and Onlineshop): Physical zoo shop and online shop selling souvenirs, gifts, and merchandise.
3. Food and beverage: Gastronomy services including Eulen Bistro restaurant and catering at events.
4. Membership fees: Animal Park Association membership with annual fee of CHF 15, providing magazine UHU, zoo map, and event invitations.
5. Donations and sponsorship: Donations, Naturschutzfranken, animal sponsorships, and legacies. Naturschutzfranken is a voluntary conservation contribution added to entry fees.
6. Events and experiences: Private tours, guided experiences, carriage rides, school programs, and special events like Valentine's Day dinners at CHF 440 per couple.
7. Capital investments from Tierparkverein: The Tierparkverein Bern has invested over CHF 20 million since 1930 in new facilities, zoo schools, and PR services. Projects like the eagle owl enclosure (CHF 3 million) and crocodile habitat (CHF 195,000) were fully funded by third-party donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Tierpark Dählhölzli operates a municipal zoo and animal park in Bern, Switzerland, comprising the Dählhölzli-Zoo (housing over 200 animal species in spacious enclosures) and the BärenPark (free-access bear park along the Aare river). It offers paid admission, guided tours, school education programs, on-site dining, retail merchandise, animal sponsorships, and a membership association, supported by conservation initiatives and species protection projects.

Product overview

Tierpark Bern (Dählhölzli) is a zoo and animal park comprising two main visitor areas: the Dählhölzli-Zoo with over 200 animal species in spacious enclosures (leopards, wolves, monkeys, seals, crocodiles, owls, bee-eaters) and the free-access BärenPark along the Aare river. The offering includes educational programs (school tours, Infomobil), guided experiences (private tours, children's activities, carriage rides, themed events), dining (Eulen Bistro restaurant), retail (online and on-site shops), and conservation initiatives (species protection, research, beetle projects). The Tierparkverein Association with 8,000+ members provides membership benefits and publishes the UHU magazine. Visitors can purchase the voluntary Naturschutzfranken conservation contribution with tickets. The zoo provides accessibility features and multilingual support (German, English, French).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Naturschutzfranken: A voluntary conservation franc added to admission prices to support species conservation projects.
• UHU
• Käfermobil

Products and services

• Dählhölzli-Zoo
• BärenPark
• Private Guided Tours (Führungen)
• School Programs (Schulen)
• Zoo Experiences and Events
• Eulen Bistro
• Onlineshop & Zooshop
• Animal Sponsorships (Patenschaften)
• Tierparkverein Membership
• Uhu- und Schneeeulen-Voliere (Eagle Owl and Snowy Owl Aviary)
• Krokodilwelt (Crocodile World)
• Bienenfresser-Anlage (Bee-eater Enclosure)

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Tierparkverein Bern (Animal Park Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe main supporting organization with over 8000 members. Has invested over CHF 20 million since 1930 in facilities and programs. Fully funded major projects including the eagle owl enclosure (CHF 3 million) and crocodile habitat (CHF 195,000).
• Burgergemeinde BerncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-promoter and landowner (responsible for the forest). Key partner in zoo operations and land management.
• Rudolf Seelhofer-StiftungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation co-financing major construction projects including the CHF 3 million eagle owl and snowy owl aviary.
• Die MobiliarmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsurance partner and sponsor of the Käfermobil (beetle mobile exhibition) and the Nature and Species Conservation Fund.
• WWF BernmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration platform partner for conservation projects and environmental awareness.
• KORA (Carnivore Ecology and Wildlife Management)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration platform partner for carnivore research and wildlife management projects.
• Naturpark GantrischminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration platform partner for regional nature conservation initiatives.
• Naturhistorisches Museum BernmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration platform partner for the Berner Käferprojekt (beetle project) and biodiversity research.
• BoGa (Botanical Garden Bern)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration platform partner for botanical and conservation projects.
• Stadtgrün BernmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Berner Käferprojekt for creating beetle habitats across Bern's urban area. Part of city administration.
• Pro Natura BernminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration platform partner for nature conservation in the Bern region.
• KARCH (Swiss Coordination Centre for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration platform partner for amphibian and reptile conservation projects.
• PH Bern (University of Teacher Education)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration platform partner for educational programs and teacher training.
• Vetsuisse Fakultäten Bern und ZürichmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration platform partner for veterinary research and animal health programs.
• Bern WelcomeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing partner for Bern tourism promotion.
• NoordminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing partner for zoo promotion.
• Stiftung ArtenschutzminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-financed the Berner Käferprojekt (beetle conservation project).
• Kanton BernmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-financed the Berner Käferprojekt and partner in implementing action plans for protected beetle species (Hirschkäfer, Nashornkäfer, Marmorierter Rosenkäfer).

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tierparkbern
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/TierparkBernDählhölzliBärenPark
• Facebookfacebook.com/tierparkbern
• Instagraminstagram.com/tierparkbern
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tierpark-d%C3%A4hlh%C3%B6lzli

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 Tierpark Dählhölzli