Wildlife Conservation
In recent years, our effect on the planet has been devastating, with a massive decline in animal numbers and habitats across the globe. EAZA has never believed that keeping animals in our institutions replaces action in the wild - but experience also shows us that the knowledge and finance that we and our visitors can provide to field conservation projects can make a huge difference. EAZA believes that zoos and aquariums form one pillar of the structure that is needed to safeguard the future.
Our approach to species conservation, called the One Plan approach, recognises that zoos and in situ conservationists need not only to work together to protect animals, but also to engage the public of their communities to take the lead in demanding action from authorities, governments, corporations and themselves so that together we can reduce the stress on endangered species and their habitats.
EAZA members:
- provide financial and human resources to help field conservation projects protect wild animals and their habitats
- work to ensure that many of the most endangered species populations in our zoos and aquariums are intensively managed to ensure their survival
- participate in EAZA conservation campaigns that draw our visitors' attention to the crisis in nature, raise funds and promote public involvement in conservation
- collaborate wherever possible with partners such as the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to provide assistance to their conservation activities
- conduct research which provides valuable insights into the protection of wild populations
In short, EAZA believes that the future of nature depends on all of us; and that EAZA zoos and aquariums can act as a portal for their local communities into conservation across the world.
EAZA Conservation Database
The EAZA Conservation Database is an online tool to facilitate communication on conservation efforts of our members within as well as outside of the zoo and aquarium community. Each month we highlight one of the projects or activities from the database.
Conservation Database Snapshot of March: Montseny brook newt
Since 2011, Barcelona Zoo and regional administrations have carried out conservation efforts for the endemic Montseny brook newt (Calotriton arnoldi), an endemic species of a very small area in the Iberian Peninsula - less than 8 km2 in total - described in 2006 and listed as ‘critically endangered’. With less than 1,500 adults remaining in the wild and easily affected by human activities and climate change effects, it’s one of the most threatened amphibians in Europe.
Their 4-year LIFE project includes the following goals:
- Ensuring genetic conservation of the species and expanding its geographic distribution via breeding and reintroduction of adults, juveniles and larvae,
- Monitoring its conservation status regularly and increasing scientific and technical knowledge for its protection and management,
- Establishing proper legal coverage at national and European level via the involvement and engagement of stakeholders.
2017 Snapshot updates
Find here the latest achievements of the projects highlighted in 2017 for the Conservation Database Snapshots. For a better view, click on the image.
