Snow Leopards, Cheetahs & Climbing Hoofed Wildlife at Wilhelma
Life in the mountains demands agility, resilience, and adaptation. At Wilhelma, the Bear and Mountain Animal Enclosure, first opened in 1991, recreates a rocky alpine landscape where snow leopards, markhors, ibexes, and maned wolves thrive. Carefully designed rock formations, water features, and hidden moats instead of fences create the illusion of an unbroken natural terrain—all while ensuring safety and separation between species.
At a glance:
Animal species: snow leopards, maned wolves, spectacled bears, Alpine ibex, markhors, cheetahs
News: In 2022, Wilhelma celebrated the birth of five cheetah cubs, the zoo’s first ever
Fun fact: All rock materials used for the snow leopard enclosure (built in 2018) match the original 1991 granite to preserve visual continuity with Rosenstein Park
A High-Altitude Home for Snow Leopards
Wilhelma’s snow leopard enclosure, opened in 2018, mimics the rugged terrain of the Himalayas, with steep inclines, scree, tree trunks, and rocky ledges for climbing. Trees from the original site were preserved, and new native vegetation was added to blend the space into the protected Rosenstein Park. Since its opening, the enclosure has welcomed two snow leopard cubs—a clear sign the cats are thriving.
Climbers on Hooves: Ibex & Markhors
Just across from the big cats, markhors (wild goats from Central Asia) leap confidently across steep rocks, joined by their young just days after birth. Nearby, the Alpine ibex lounge on cliffs and meadows. Once nearly extinct, these majestic animals are now part of a reintroduction project that has restored their population in the Alps to over 30,000 individuals.
Cheetahs with Room to Grow
The former polar bear area has been repurposed into a new cheetah enclosure. Built in 2021, it features soil-filled water basins, natural shelters, and sunning spots—essential for successful breeding. Female cheetah Niara resides here, while the males are housed separately near the Belvedere. This thoughtful separation strategy led to Wilhelma’s first-ever cheetah birth in 2022: five healthy cubs, a milestone for the zoo.
From the Andes to the Alps
Maned wolves and spectacled bears also reside in the upper sections of this area, forming a bridge to Wilhelma’s South American Zone. Maned wolves patrol dry scrublands, while the spectacled bears enjoy an enriched, two-tiered enclosure complete with climbing structures and hammocks.
Legacy of the Giants: Wilhelma’s Sequoias
Don’t miss the towering giant sequoias near the mountain habitats. Planted from North American seeds in 1864 by King Wilhelm I, they now reach up to 37 meters high. Today, over 200 descendants of this original planting still grow across Baden-Württemberg—35 of them forming a serene grove right here at Wilhelma.