The German -language zoos save types and counteract the dramatic loss of biodiversity. How can this important role of modern zoos be consolidated? This central question focuses on the annual conference of the Association of Zoological Gardens (VDZ), which takes place in Berlin from June 18 to 21, 2025. During this time, leading zoo experts come together from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Spain to discuss solutions and perspectives.
The fact that zoos have long been an important part of the solution show impressive figures: the 70 VDZ member zoos maintain over 163,000 wild animals, reach more than 42 million visitors every year, invest around 11 million euros annually in over 150 species protection projects worldwide and support their own personnel, professional expertise and long-term commitment.
From the point of view of politics, zoological gardens make an indispensable contribution to the protection of biological diversity. “Modern zoos implements our international commitments, species to protect and maintain in concrete action – through protection projects, educational work and animal encounters that create an emotional bond with nature,” explains Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Security. “This work is very important to us, because we need every actor who is against us against the dramatic dying.”
The VDZ-Zoos are available to the Federal Government as a partner in implementing the 2030 national biodiversity strategy. Based on practical experience and scientific expertise, the VDZ zoos are a potential, expert partner of the Federal Government in the implementation of the national biodiversity strategy 2030 and are available for a correspondingly intensive integration and to take on responsibility.
“We are already active species rescuers and have proven ourselves as a reliable partner in protection projects and in educational work,” emphasizes the President of the VDZ, Prof. Dr. Jörg Junhold. “We act with scientific excellence and measurable success, but limited financial means, because this task has so far been anchored primarily in the self-image of the zoo and in the expectation of the public, but not in the public financing of our species, nature conservation and educational institutions in the 21st century. Therefore we now need common strategies to fully exploit this potential. the following applies to anchor modern zoos as the pillars of the national biodiversity strategy – with clear responsibilities and financial means “.
In the three-day VDZ annual conference, strategic topics are being developed- with a focus on species protection. Animal welfare and education go hand in hand. The VDZ Zoo and Wildier-Forum on June 19 brings decision-makers from politics, ministries, science, nature and animal protection directly with zoo expertise to discuss the practical implementation of the state goal of species protection.
The forum was opened by the Berlin finance senator Stefan Eversthe VDZ President Jörg Junhold and the host Dr. Andreas Knieriem, director of Zoo, Zoo and Aquarium Berlin.
The expertise of modern zoos ranges from the preservation of endangered species to targeted breeding programs to the professional accompaniment of outsourcing projects, underlines the host of the annual conference Dr. Andreas Knieriem, director of Zoo, Zoo and Aquarium Berlin. “Successful release projects such as those of Bartgeier, Wisent and Przewalskipfer clearly show: If you have a common goal, then no limits. But these successes are only possible if international, national and local partners work together in the long term and trusting. The rescue of our biodiversity is a strength, no state and no environmental organization. Teamwork with over 40 million guests alone, the German-speaking zoos can make an important bridge between science and the public, awaken empathy for nature and sensitize a wide variety of target groups for the topics of environmental and species protection. “
The importance of zoological institutions for the preservation of biodiversity is also expressly recognized in the current coalition agreement of the Federal Government. “The VDZ annual conference 2025 is therefore more than a specialist meeting – it is a signal for determined action to protect our natural livelihoods,” so Volker Homes, Managing Director of the VDZ. “The cooperation of all groups relevant in species protection is a prerequisite for success, but important steps are also the conservation breeding programs of endangered species to be recognized and promoted as a decisive contribution to species protection.”
Animal and plant species worldwide disappear at alarming speed – with catastrophic consequences for all of us. Biodiversity is not a luxury, but the basis of our existence: it ensures our diet, our water, our climate and our health. This is also underlined by the keynote spokesmen of the VDZ Zoo and Wildier-Forum Prof. Dr. Jon Paul Rodríguez, Chairman of the IUCN species specialist groupsthat create the international red lists, Prof. Dr. Aletta Bonn, professor for ecosystem services at the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, as well as Prof. Dr. Dr. Tade Spranger, professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Bonn.