Vogelfauna Tirol
Vogelfauna Tirol

“Gufyland” Bird Care Centre

At “Gufyland”, the Bird Care Centre at Tyrol Castle in Merano and surroundings, you can see birds of prey at close quarters.

On the hill on which Tyrol Castle with the South Tyrolean Cultural History Museum is located, there is a very special facility: The Bird Care Centre - "Pflegezentrum für Vogelfauna" in German, "Centro Recupero Avifauna" in Italian - was founded in 1989 in Villa Ottone in the Valle di Tures valley, and relocated to Tyrol Castle in 1998. It is managed by the two bird experts Willy Campei and Florian Gamper. This is where 250 injured and defenceless wild birds find a helping hand every year, as they are cared for and afterwards released into their natural habitat. They are sheltered in one of the large aviaries on 9,000 sqm where you can see them at close quarters.

A 300 m long educational trail leads from one bird house to the next and provides interesting information on local bird fauna and flora. 10 information panels in five languages take you into the world of birds. However, that's far from being all! The absolute highlight is the flight show, taking place every day except Monday at 11.15 am and 3.15 pm. In these shows, Mr. Eagle owl, vulture, buzzard and colleagues are released into the air above Tyrol Castle and hover above your heads.

And how to reach "Gufyland"? Parking spaces are available in Tirolo village, from where a panoramic path leads in a 20-minute walk to Tyrol Castle and the Bird Care Centre. The trail is closed for traffic. For visitors with buggies: Mind the steps at the entrance to the flight show area!

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"Gufyland" stays closed in winter, the summer season 2023 will start in early April.

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