Knuthenborg Safari Park has put a year behind it with massive investments and a modest profit. According to the new 2024 annual report from the company Hippotigris ApS, the result after tax is 638,000 kroner - a significant drop from the profit the year before of just over 21 million kroner.
But it is not a sign of crisis, the management emphasises in the accounts, where the year's economy is described as satisfactory. Gross profit actually increased by 2.7 million to 50.2 million kroner, and the main explanation for the drop in the bottom line is found in what looks like a strategic investment wave.
Millions invested in the park
Investments in tangible fixed assets amounted to 41 million kroner in 2024. This is a new record for the company and almost double the level of the previous year. Among other things, there was heavy investment in furnishings and facilities, which now have a total accounting value of over 67 million kroner - an increase of a full 30 million in one year.
The park's total balance sheet has also grown significantly - from 163 to 182 million kroner - and equity remains stable at just over 54 million.
More employees and rising wage costs
Knuthenborg has also focused on more employees. The average number of employees increased from 62 to 73, and wage costs grew correspondingly - from 28 to 34 million kroner. Of this, wages accounted for 31.5 million.
The park's operating profit ended at 4.3 million kroner - a decrease from just under 6.8 million the previous year. The accounts also show that financial expenses grew to 4 million kroner, while there were negative revenues from the subsidiary Loxodonta ApS, which further reduced the result by 318,000 kroner.
Hope for a comeback in 2025
The management expects a better result in 2025. Among other things, there are plans for new attractions in the park, including a Stegosaurus - which has never before been exhibited in Denmark - and a T-rex, which has only been shown once before in this country.
Additionally, there will be new tigers, a reopened lemur section, and a new playground in the Monkey Forest. Communication to children and the dissemination of evolution will also be prioritised.
On the restaurant side, the focus is on dishes with local ingredients and meat from their own fallow deer and wild boar. Environmental work remains a key issue - among other things, electric golf carts have been introduced and expanded with 50 charging stations. The use of recycled materials and food waste for animal feed is also mentioned in the ESG section.
The company is 100 percent owned by Knuthenborg Holding ApS, and the sole director and owner is Christoffer Knuth.
