The European Breeding Program
Many Zoos, One Common Goal
To preserve the genetic diversity of endangered animal species, well-coordinated, international breeding programs are needed.
The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) currently manages and coordinates more than 500 breeding programs. These programs aim to maintain healthy, genetically diverse, and stable populations of endangered species in human care, prevent inbreeding, and, when necessary, reintroduce animals into the wild.
The Bern Zoo currently leads the breeding program for the Eurasian lynx. The Wildnispark Zurich Foundation has been participating in the lynx breeding program for many years. In addition, it has adapted its lynx husbandry practices so that the young remain shy and can be released back into the wild.
