Collaborative Efforts for Species Conservation

Pressrelease Zooschweiz

The Wildnispark Zurich Foundation is one of Switzerland’s scientifically managed zoos. The seven zoos organized under the “Zooschweiz” association welcome over 3.1 million visitors annually, including more than 130,000 schoolchildren. In addition, nearly 120,000 people participate in various educational programs, such as guided zoo tours. In this way, the zoos provide access to nature, teach about ecological relationships, and demonstrate how each and every individual can contribute to the conservation of biodiversity.

“In an ideal world, there would be no need for zoos,” says Severin Dressen, director of the Zurich Zoo. But that world does not exist: According to estimates, around 150 animal, plant, and fungus species go extinct every day. These irreplaceable losses are mostly due to human-caused factors. These include habitat destruction, poaching, the illegal trade in wild animals, and global climate change.

A key role of zoos in species conservation is the long-term maintenance of genetically healthy reserve populations. They serve as a kind of insurance for endangered species - especially when populations in their natural habitats are declining. “Modern, scientifically managed zoos can make a concrete contribution here with their expertise in the care, breeding, and research of wild animals to support the preservation of biodiversity,” explains Dressen. Zoos work in a coordinated manner within international conservation breeding programs organized by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). Currently, about one-third of the animal species kept in the member zoos of zooschweiz are threatened with extinction or potentially endangered.

However, species conservation does not end at the zoo gates. The seven members of zooschweiz finance and support nature conservation projects directly in the natural habitats of the animals in their collections with a total of 7.1 million Swiss francs per year. This commitment ranges from contributions to the operating budgets of protected areas and the training of ranger teams to environmental education for the local population and on-site research. The goal is to safeguard remaining wild animal populations and their habitats.

Successful Lynx Reintroductions

In addition to the long-term conservation of endangered species outside their natural habitats, reserve populations can also be used for reintroductions into the wild. However, such measures are only effective if the animals are healthy, capable of surviving independently, and their habitat is protected in the long term. Members of zooschweiz regularly participate in reintroduction projects—such as “Linking Lynx,” which is dedicated to the conservation of the Carpathian lynx in Europe. Several animals from Swiss zoos have already been successfully reintroduced into the wild in Germany - four of these animals were born and raised at the Wildnispark Zurich.  This is an achievement we can be proud of.

The Bern Wildlife Park is also involved in lynx reintroductions. Director Friederike von Houwald says: “Scientific zoos do not save animal species on their own. But they are an important piece of the puzzle in the overall network of nature and species conservation. The strength of zoos lies in their ability to optimally combine their expertise from the four core missions—nature conservation, species conservation, research, and education—and thus contribute to lasting solutions.”

In doing so, zoos follow the “One Plan Approach” advocated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This approach combines measures within the natural habitat—that is, in situ—with measures outside that habitat—that is, ex situ. It is crucial that government agencies, nature conservation organizations, research institutions, and zoos do not plan in isolation but rather develop joint strategies for the holistic conservation of a species. The IUCN recognizes that scientific zoos play a significant role in the conservation and rescue of threatened species.

Reproduction is a basic need

Zoos must coordinate which animals reproduce to ensure a regular generational turnover and to maintain genetic diversity within zoo populations. Thanks to species-appropriate care and veterinary treatment, animals in zoos often live longer than they would in the wild. However, this leaves less room for young animals capable of reproduction. It’s a dilemma. “An aging population jeopardizes one of the core missions of scientific zoos: the maintenance of reserve populations for species conservation,” says Marcus Clauss, co-director of the Clinic for Zoo, Pet, and Wildlife Animals at the University of Zurich Animal Hospital. “Offspring, however, are not only important for genetically healthy populations,” Clauss emphasizes, “but also for animal welfare. Reproduction is a basic need of every animal, which is why it should generally be permitted in zoos. In addition, offspring enable the animals to form species-specific social structures and develop natural behaviors such as pair bonding, brood care, and raising young.” However, housing capacity in European zoos is limited per species, which is why culling becomes necessary for genetically overrepresented animals.

Last year, Marcus Clauss published a study on the aging of zoo populations—in collaboration with the Zurich Zoo, among others. It exemplifies the diverse research work of the seven zooschweiz members, who are currently involved in more than 130 scientific projects. This work helps generate insights that are crucial for the conservation of our biodiversity.

Purpose and Goals of “Zooschweiz”

Zooschweiz is the umbrella organization for Switzerland’s scientifically managed zoos. More than 800 different animal species live in its member zoos—many of which are endangered in the wild. The goal of “Zooschweiz” is to strengthen cooperation among member zoos, further develop common standards, and highlight the contributions of modern zoos. The members of “Zooschweiz” see themselves as institutions dedicated to education, research, and the conservation of species and nature. They care for animals in accordance with the latest findings in zoo biology and veterinary medicine, participate in international breeding programs, generate knowledge, and are committed to the protection of endangered species and their habitats.

Information about the photos:
Last year, the  Wildnispark Zurich Foundation participated in several reintroduction projects: on the one hand, in the release of lynx into the wild in Germany, and on the other, in the release of Przewalski’s horses into the wild in Kazakhstan.