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. Click here to visit the EAZA Conservation Database (Members only)
Conservation Database Snapshot of April: What are white rhinos talking about?
After almost 30 years of successfully breeding white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum), Serengeti-Park Hodenhagen started the research project “What Are They Talking About?” in 2012. In collaboration with the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, they study the behavioural and vocal repertoire of the Southern white rhinoceros both in the German zoo and in Uganda.
By researching and understanding better the social behaviour of the white rhinoceros, they aim to improve husbandry systems and breeding management in human care. They analysed the different call types of young and adult rhinos as well as social structures within changing rhino groups. Data collected at the Serengeti Park and in the wild were compared to assess differences and commonalities between ex situ and in situ populations.
These results can also be of importance for the protection of wild rhinos as bioacoustic methods could be used for population monitoring. For example, the number of rhinos in a distribution area and possibly their age structure and the gender ratio could be determined through individual differences in the sounds.
To read more about the project, visit the EAZA Conservation Database.
2019 Snapshot updates
Find here the latest achievements of the projects highlighted in 2019 for the Conservation Database Snapshots. For a better view, click on the image.
