Wildpark Donsbach, Wildlife park and zoo in Dillenburg, Germany
Wildpark Donsbach is a 21-hectare wildlife park in the Donsbach district of Dillenburg, Hesse. Its enclosures hold red deer, ibex, sika deer, European mouflon, fallow deer, white fallow deer, chamois, donkeys and rheas, while a petting zoo keeps rabbits and dwarf goats. A metre-thick tree growth called the "Mandersbacher Knorz" stands on the grounds.
The site began as Thiergarten Donsbach, founded in 1640 by the Nassau counts and quickly developed into an important game preserve. Over the centuries the collection grew and the grounds were updated to meet new standards.
Visitors can watch native animal species in natural-style enclosures and learn about regional wildlife habitats. The layout shows how different creatures live in their environments through the way the grounds are designed.
The park is open year-round but at different times depending on the season, so visitors should check ahead before going. Sturdy shoes are recommended since the grounds are hilly and some paths are unpaved.
Among the park's sika deer is the Formosa sika, a Taiwanese subspecies that is endangered in the wild; the park is one of the few animal collections keeping it. Look also for the "Mandersbacher Knorz", a tree growth a metre thick on the grounds.
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