The Branderhof bears the date 1723; it is a hereditary farm and has been in the family for almost 300 years. It all began here at the Branderhof in 1972 with 10 red deer.
Allow me to introduce myself: I am the Aurach Wildlife Park.
My grounds stretch out on the sunny side of the hill. Visitors have the chance to get up close and personal with my red deer – but be careful, my residents can be easily startled. The little fawns are cheeky; they love to rush up and greet my guests enthusiastically right at the entrance, provided they aren’t busy eating. The donkeys, on the other hand, prefer to enjoy their peace and quiet in the shade. The stags, with their mighty antlers – I must say – strut through the wildlife park, knowing how to show off their beauty to the ladies.
Alongside the native red deer and chamois, there are European wildcats, lynx, barn owls and little owls. Endangered domestic breeds have also found a lovely home here. As Australia is often confused with Austria internationally, we’re also home to Bennett’s wallabies. But I simply don’t have the time right now to list all my residents individually. Of course, everyone is warmly welcome to visit my wildlife park to admire my animals, learn about their ways of life and, last but not least, enjoy the wonderful views.
And now I must be off again – my animal friends are already waiting for me. I hope to see you soon at my wildlife park.
The Branderhof
In 1972, Alois and Elisabeth Pletzer founded the Aurach Wildlife Park on the site of the ‘Branderhof’, in collaboration with Heinrich III, DDr. Prince Reuss. The family farm, which was almost 300 years old, was traditionally run as a cattle and horse farm, but was very difficult to manage due to its steep slopes. Alois Pletzer – grandfather of the current owner, Andrea Pletzer-Gasser – had long been seeking an alternative to traditional farming methods. At the same time, Heinrich III, DDr. Prince Reuss, was looking for an ideal site on which to establish a wildlife park near Kitzbühel. Following a number of discussions, extensive preparations and the arrival of the first 10 stags, the “Tirol” Wildlife Park and the Branderhofstube inn were officially opened. Heinrich III, DDr. Prince Reuss, withdrew from the business in 1977, and since then the Aurach Wildlife Park has been run as a privately managed family business.
Aurach Wildlife Park
Since 2015, Andrea Pletzer-Gasser, together with her partner Mike and the dedicated wildlife park team, has been managing the wildlife park in Aurach. The cheeky little kids welcome visitors to the wildlife park at the entrance. The stags, on the other hand, strut almost reverently through the meadows with their large antlers. As many of the animals are not fenced in, particular care is taken in the park to ensure that visitors do not stray from the footpath.
At Aurach Wildlife Park, situated at 1,100 metres above sea level, there are now 350 animals representing 32 species.
This popular destination above Aurach is home to many native animal species such as red deer, ibex, European wildcats, lynx, barn owls and Tengmalm’s owls. Domestic breeds threatened with extinction, such as Alpine stone sheep, Mangalitza pigs and crested ducks, as well as exotic species such as Bennett’s wallabies, llamas, alpacas, snowy owls and yaks, also call the wildlife park home.
