Doris Bättig, who has been working at the Grizzly Bear Adventureland for 22 years, shares insights into her work and her love for the animals. Together with Ursula and Pädu, she looks after the zoo. She explains how she came to this job, what she likes about the picturesque surroundings and why the ponies are particularly close to her heart.

How long have you been working at the Grizzlybär Adventure Land?

I have been working here for 22 years, as have my team members Ursula and Pädu. We are also called the Greenteam and we look after the stable and the animals and Ursula looks after the whole area around the Grizzly Bear Adventure Land.

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 How did you get this job?

The former stable manager died unexpectedly. A colleague of his then took over. However, his time was also limited due to his other job. My children were starting nursery school at the time and I had a little time to spare. I volunteered and was able to take on a few morning shifts. I enjoy animals and love the varied work at the zoo. So this is the perfect job for me.

You live near here. What do you particularly like about this region / this location?

I used to live with my husband directly opposite the Grizz (as the Grizzly Bear Adventureland is known to the locals). And now it's just a few streets away. The Gantrisch region and the surrounding area are beautiful. Even after 22 years, there are still moments when I walk across the terrace of the Grizzly Bear Adventure Land to the llamas that I stop for a moment, look out over Lake Dittligsee and think to myself: Oh, I have a wonderful place to work.

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Can you describe your normal morning routine at the zoo?

Each of us has a different routine and the animals know that too. I usually start at 8.00 am. First I give the animals a short feed (muesli/flakes). That way, the animals already have something and I can do the rounds in peace. I let the chickens and rabbits out of the hutch. Then I give the animals hay one after the other and bring them fresh water. Then the ponies go from the stable to our meadow. I clean the goat enclosure, the pigsty and the pony boxes and distribute new straw. My normal routine looks something like this.

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What don't you like doing?

Hmmm, I like everything. But if I had to choose something, it would be mucking out the chicken coop. But as we've divided up the work in the team so that everyone can/is allowed to do what's important to them, I only have to clean the chicken coop when I'm on vacation.

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Which is your favorite animal here at the zoo?

These are the ponies, as I have owned a horse myself for a long time. Sira is particularly close to my heart. She has been with us for 30 years. She was very timid at first and had a difficult past. That's why you couldn't mop the floor without her fearfully hiding in the furthest corner. And now, after 30 years, she has become much more trusting.

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What aspects of your job in Grizzlybär Adventure Land do you particularly enjoy?

Working with the animals is very nice in itself. Everything is also done to ensure that the animals are doing well. We in the Greenteam are very free in our procedures and animal care and can also get involved.

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How else are you connected to the Grizzlybär Adventure Land?

My husband grew up here and we had our first date at the Grizzlybär. We used to meet at the Grizz on Saturdays and Sundays to discuss the weekend program. We didn't have cell phones or anything like that. So we spent a lot of time here. My husband also earned his pocket money in the kitchen of the Grizzlybär adventure land when he was at school. We used to go to Grizz with the children from time to time. Now my two daughters run the Grizzly Pub during the winter season. You could say that the Bättig family is very attached to the Grizzly Bear Adventureland.

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