Zoo experts meet in Leipzig for the EAZA annual conference

Almost 1,000 zoo experts will be meeting in Leipzig over the next few days for the annual conference of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). Nobel Prize winner Svante Pääbo, among others, is expected to attend the opening session on Wednesday.

In addition to association development, the meeting will mainly focus on professional exchange on European conservation breeding programs and opportunities for zoos to become even more involved in species conservation on site.

"It's a real working conference," said Jörg Junhold, Director of the host zoo Leipzig. There are around 2,000 European conservation breeding programs. "The aim is to ensure that species are managed professionally, that there is no inbreeding, that genetic diversity is preserved and that healthy animal populations are managed." The focus is particularly on big cats, elephants and great apes.

Zoos are involved in species conservation on site

In situ species conservation, i.e. where the animals are threatened in their habitats, is also becoming an increasingly important issue for zoos. "More and more zoos have their own growing budget for this", said Junhold.

Many German zoos have introduced a "species protection euro", which can be paid voluntarily. "These budgets are used to run species conservation programs worldwide, either as a partner or as an independent zoo," said Junhold.

"Of course, this can always be done more and better, and it will also be part of the conference," said the zoo boss. In all major associations - national, European or in the World Zoo Association - it is part of the strategy to get involved in species conservation.

Leipzig hosts for the second time

"Of course, today, when the pressure outside is extremely high, when we have eight billion people on the planet, when overexploitation is a reality, it is even more important to draw attention to protecting habitats, protecting animals," said Junhold.

Leipzig is hosting the EAZA annual conference for the second time. In 2003, for the 125th anniversary of Leipzig Zoo, around 550 participants came to the trade fair city. This makes the annual meeting almost twice as large this time.