Knie's Kinderzoo, Children's zoo in Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland
Knie's Kinderzoo is a family-focused zoo in Rapperswil-Jona housing around 380 animals from different regions, including elephants, zebras, rhinoceroses, and sea lions. The facility features multiple zones with specialized habitats where children can observe and participate in hands-on encounters with the animals.
The zoo was established in 1962 by the Knie family, a renowned Swiss circus operation, with the goal of creating direct educational experiences between children and animals. This foundation reflected their vision of combining entertainment with animal learning.
The facility combines traditional Swiss circus heritage with modern zoological education through daily sea lion performances and guided animal encounters.
The zoo operates from March through October and provides two self-service restaurants alongside picnic areas throughout the grounds. The layout is relatively flat and straightforward to navigate, making it accessible for visitors of all ages.
Visitors can ride elephants and camels while feeding giraffes from an elevated platform and participating in specialized animal care programs. These direct activities allow children to develop a deeper connection with the animals.
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