Neandertal game reserve, Game reserve in Erkrath and Mettmann, Germany
The Neandertal game reserve is a protected area near Erkrath where bison, aurochs, and tarpan horses roam in naturalistic habitats. The animals move freely across large enclosures designed to recreate Ice Age landscapes.
The reserve was founded in 1935 as an early project to reintroduce extinct species to Europe. Its location in the Neandertal valley connects it to the area where remains of early humans were discovered, linking it to the region's scientific importance.
The reserve operates educational programs focused on wildlife conservation and maintains breeding initiatives to preserve historical species for future generations.
The reserve can be explored via several walking trails where visitors observe animals in their natural settings. A visit here pairs well with the adjacent Neanderthal Museum, which sits right at the location.
The reserve houses specially bred strains of Ice Age animals that genetically resemble their extinct ancestors. These recreated animals let visitors gain an authentic impression of how the megafauna of that era actually looked.
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