![[Translate to EN:] Local Hero Wildpark Aurach](https://www.kitzbuehel.com/fileadmin/_processed_/e/4/csm_Local_Hero_Wildpark_Aurach__c__Kitzbuehel_Tourismus__27__d989a3cd3c.jpg)
The Branderhof bears the date 1723, is a hereditary farm and has been in the family for almost 300 years. In 1972 everything started here at Branderhof with 10 stags. Let me introduce myself, I am the game park in Aurach. You can find me on the sunny side in Aurach. Guests have the opportunity to get to know my red deer at close range - but be careful, my inhabitants could easily get scared. The little goats are cheeky and like to greet my guests at the entrance door, but only if they are not eating. The donkeys, on the other hand, prefer to enjoy their rest in the shade. The deer with their mighty antlers - yes I must say - strut through the game park and know how to present their beauty to the ladies. Beside the native red and stone deer there are European wildcats, lynxes, barn owls and little owls. Threatened domestic breeds have also found a nice home with me. Since international Australia is always confused with Austria, Bennet kangaroos also live with us. However, I simply don't have the time right now to list all my residents individually. Of course, everyone is welcome to come to my wildlife park to admire my animals, to learn about their ways of life and last but not least to enjoy the wonderful view. And now I have to go again, my animal friends are already waiting for me. Hope to see you soon at my game park.
The Branderhof
In 1972 Alois and Eliabeth Pletzer founded the Wildlife Park Aurach on the area of the "Branderhof" in cooperation with Heinrich III DDr. Prince Reuss. The almost 300 year old hereditary farm was a traditional farm with cattle and horses, which was very difficult to manage due to its steep slope. Alois Pletzer - grandfather of the current owner Andrea Pletzer-Gasser - had been looking for an alternative to traditional farm management for some time. Heinrich III DDr. Prince Reuss was at the same time looking for an ideal site to establish an animal park near Kitzbühel. After some discussions, many preparations and the delivery of the first 10 stags, the game park "Tirol" and the inn Branderhofstube were ceremoniously opened. Heinrich III DDr. Prinz Reuss retired from the business in 1977 and since then the Game Park Aurach has been run as a privately owned family business.
#LocalHeroes from Kitzbühel
It is the people who make Kitzbühel and its holiday villages Reith, Aurach and Jochberg this special. These are exactly the personalities we are talking about in our "LocalHeroes" series, in which the true heroes of our region are put in the spotlight. They would never call themselves heroes, but they are: Because it is only due to their passion for what they do that we can all experience the unique Kitzbühel attitude to life.
The Wildpark Aurach
Since 2015, Andrea Pletzer-Gasser has been managing the wildlife park in Aurach with her partner Mike and the dedicated wildlife park team. The cheeky little goats greet visitors to the wildlife park at the entrance. The deer, on the other hand, strut almost reverently in the meadows with their large antlers. Since many animals are not fenced in, special care is taken in the park not to leave the hiking trail.
Today, 350 animals and 32 species can be found in the Aurach Game Park at 1,100 meters above sea level.
The popular excursion destination above Aurach is home to many native animal species such as red deer, rock deer, European wildcats, lynxes, barn owls and little owls. Endangered domestic breeds such as Alpine stone sheep, Mangalitza pigs and crested ducks, as well as exotics such as Bennett's kangaroos, llamas, alpacas, snowy owls and yaks also call the wildlife park home.