contents
Knie’s children’s zoo in Rapperswil will celebrate its 60th birthday in 2022. The zoo has changed over the years.
Franco Knie was eight years old when his father Rolf senior and his uncle Fredy senior opened Knie’s children’s zoo on Pentecost 1962. Since then, a stone whale has stood as an attraction on the site. Franco Knie says with a laugh: “This species, a stone whale, only exists in the children’s zoo. He is the landmark. Many parents who come with their children today remember when they were children.”
This connection between the generations has prompted Knie’s children’s zoo to change again and again over the years. What began as a small dream – to show children the animals up close – has become an event location.
“All-round offers are becoming more important”
Simply showing animals is no longer enough, says Knie. «The guest comes for a day trip. It needs these offers. The animals are very important, but the offers around them are becoming more and more important.” It’s the same for all zoos.
As with many zoos, the children’s zoo was also criticized by animal protection organizations. There has been a Switzerland-wide ban on dolphin shows since 1999, and since 2019 the children’s zoo has stopped showing sea lions after loud criticism. At the time, the Swiss animal welfare organization STS complained that the size and structure did not meet today’s requirements. Knie no longer commented on the decision at the time.
Knie’s children’s zoo from 1962 to the present day
One of the new offers is the so-called “magic hat”. Where the sea lion tank used to be, the silhouette of the multifunctional event location now towers over the zoo grounds. From the inside it looks like a wooden circus tent. In addition to demonstrations such as the parrot show, company events or weddings can also take place here.
Developments in response to the zeitgeist, reactions to criticism – that happened again and again. And that’s how it will probably continue right on the Obersee in Rapperswil-Jona.