Open Positions

Our Experience Worlds

Papiliorama

In the butterfly dome Papiliorama, over 1,000 exotic butterflies fly freely around visitors in a lush tropical garden. With their shimmering colors and various shapes and sizes, they offer a charming ballet. The other stages in the fascinating life cycle of the butterfly can also be discovered: the hatching of a butterfly from its chrysalis in the hatching box or the eggs and caterpillars in the terrariums.

The tropical climate in the 1,200 m² large dome transports visitors into the fascinating world of the tropics. The plant world is represented here with around 120 species: a colorful sea of flowers with nectar plants for the butterflies, but also large palms and other impressive ornamental plants. The exhibition is inhabited not only by butterflies but also by various spectacular bird species such as nectar birds, collared doves, or turacos. The waters are populated by rays and other exciting fish species from the tropics of America and Asia.

Nocturama

The Nocturama is a unique exhibition worldwide: the translucent roof of the dome filters natural daylight and creates a full moon night atmosphere inside. Due to the reversed day and night rhythm, it is possible to take a nocturnal walk in the middle of the day and observe the mysterious, nocturnal animals of the tropical forests. Along the paths, you will discover sloths, tree-dwelling porcupines, night monkeys, bats, and many other animals.

After a short adjustment period during which visitors' eyes adapt to the darkness of the full moon night, the adventure begins. Many of the animal enclosures in the Nocturama are designed to be semi-open, allowing the animals to be observed exceptionally well and up close. The winding paths lead past various animal species such as aardvarks and giant bark rats as well as the large fish pond, which offers exciting insights into the underwater world. The tour also leads through the breeding station, where many of the Nocturama animal species are specifically bred as part of breeding programs of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria. Thus, the Papiliorama Foundation makes a valuable contribution to the protection of numerous animal species in human care.

Jungle Trek

Since 1989, Papiliorama has managed a nature reserve in Belize, Central America. The tropical dome Jungle Trek is an authentic copy of these rich tropical habitats and offers visitors an exciting hike through the tropical forest.

On an area of 1,200 m², around 150 plant and 30 animal species can be discovered. Visitors are accompanied on their tour by the colorful rainbow toucans, the curious green jays, or the primitive-looking black iguanas. Raccoons, peccaries, tamanduas, and other exciting tropical forest inhabitants live in the enclosures at the edge of the dome. The two ponds are also copies of existing waters in the reserve and house a rich variety of fish. Thanks to the 7 m high panoramic bridge, life in the treetops can be discovered. The tropical forest exhibition integrated into the dome encourages reflection on the fate of these unique habitats and offers insight into our overseas conservation project.

Through this link, you can already get a small preview of our Jungle Trek.

Natural Playground

An extraordinary playground!

Built from untreated false acacia (black locust, an invasive species in Switzerland!), the natural playground is located in a bright forest, crossed by small waters. On the climbing course, children can test their coordination and dexterity. The water playground is especially popular in good weather. Here, you can dam, pump, and divert to your heart's content. The picnic zone perfectly complements the family-friendly offer.

Zoë Zoo – our petting zoo

What is not possible in the other exhibitions is allowed here: the animals in Zoë Zoo may be touched and pampered with petting to your heart's content.

The dwarf donkeys Wesley and Pinko, the dwarf goats, rabbits, ducks, and chickens move freely among the visitors. They are very happy to be scratched behind the ears by the smallest visitors or patiently pose for the family portrait. If necessary, the animals can retreat to the quiet zone at any time. But someone is always up for a petting session.

Wild Seeland

The Papiliorama Foundation is very committed to bringing visitors closer to the native nature and the importance of intact habitats and biodiversity. Therefore, only native plants grow in the outdoor area, and valuable dry and wet habitats are continuously created. Numerous native animal and plant species have now made the grounds their home.

The observation hut, called "Observatorium diversitatis," provides insight into the newly created flood zone. The water level can be regulated to simulate the natural conditions in such a wetland as accurately as possible. Dry biotopes, such as dry grasslands or dry herb margins, offer a habitat for other species. In 2017, a survey of all species found on the renatured outdoor grounds of Papiliorama was conducted. Almost 300 plant and 300 animal species were identified. These can be admired in the exhibition "Let it Grow." In the coming years, many more species will surely be added.

Chlitierlizäut

In the 500 m² large Chlitierlizäut, up to 10 different native butterfly species can be seen depending on the season. Only species that are still relatively common in the Swiss Plateau are shown, such as the small tortoiseshell, the painted lady, the peacock butterfly, the C-falter, the cabbage white, or the swallowtail. Eggs, caterpillars, or pupae can often be found on the nettles, fennel, and other food plants. And with a bit of luck, you can observe a butterfly hatching in the hatching box. Besides native butterflies, other small animals such as woodlice, ants, spiders, ladybugs, earthworms, or water insects can be discovered. The show bumblebee colony offers a fascinating insight into the life of these busy pollinators.

The wild bee calendar, created in collaboration with wildBee.ch, presents the diversity of native wild bees throughout the seasons. Around the numerous nesting aids, the busy little animals can be observed up close, and visitors can learn a lot of exciting facts about them.

European Pond Turtles

The European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) is the only native turtle species. This species formerly inhabited all calm and vegetation-rich waters of Switzerland. Today, only two populations exist, which probably only came about through the release of animals. Their disappearance is not solely due to the intensive hunting they were subjected to for centuries but also to the destruction of their natural habitat. The Papiliorama Foundation has been involved for several years in the project to reintroduce the European pond turtle in Switzerland. In the pond turtle pond, the animals can be observed sunbathing from spring to autumn.