Bayerischer Wald National Park

The group visited the park over a series of three days in which they did a lot of wonderful hikes, stayed at a beautiful chalet-like farm, visited an open-air animal enclosure, and visited the nature center at the park.

The women enjoyed the hike through the park and it's animal enclosures.

From left to right, Julia Kilala (Tanzania), Erin Browning (USA), Charline Pu Yi-Chun (Taiwan), Lindsay Johnson (USA), Jenne McCarty (USA), and Carin Harvey (South Africa).

While visiting the open-air animal enclosures, the group learned that this isn't just any type of "zoo".

A wolf at the open-air animal enclosure

For one, these animals are brought in which are hurt and could never return to the wild and be able to survive on their own for some reason or another.

Vulture at the open-air animal enclosure

Also, the enclosures are adequate to fit the neds of each animal that has to live in the area. Therefore, the ratio of animals to land is sufficient to keep each animal happy with having their own territory to roam in.

A lynx in the open-air animal enclosure

One of Germany's National Park rules is that it is NOT to interfere with nature at all. If there is a fire, they will let it burn, if there is a beetle infestation (which has occurred), they let them go...

Bark Beetles are eating away at these trees and are killing it. But, what you do not see is the life that is growing up in the dead trees places. That's the way nature should be...left alone!

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