Animal population in the Schönbrunn zoo: decline around 800 animals - what is behind it?

Animal population in the Schönbrunn zoo: decline around 800 animals - what is behind it?

Tiergarten Schönbrunn, 1130 Wien, Österreich - In the Schönbrunn zoo, a new inventory of the animal population was carried out, which, however, promotes worrying numbers. Tiergart director Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck said: "Our goal is to depict the biological diversity-a variety that is increasingly threatened". While 3,388 animals were recorded in the previous year, the number has dropped by around 800 to 2,607 this year. Fish with 2,607 individuals represent the largest group, followed by invertebrates that include jellyfish and insects, while mammals with only 568 animals form the smallest group. The inventory plays a central role in monitoring biodiversity in the zoo and the maintenance breeding programs, reported zoological department head Rupert Kainradl.

important facts about biodiversity

global are currently known about 1.8 million species, of which around 71,500 species have been demonstrated in Germany, as is emphasized by the Federal Office for Nature Conservation (BFN). However, many species remain unknown, which could increase the threat of biological diversity. In the case of less examined groups, there are fears that many types are extinct before they can be described. In addition, the discovery and classification of new species or the merger of existing taxa leads to confusion about the actual diversity. This applies above all to invertebrates, the total number of over 48,000 in Germany is considered to be relatively low, while the global estimate fluctuates between 2 to 11 million animal species.

The importance of these numbers is crucial for future work in zoological institutions and for species protection. The decline in animal species in the Schönbrunn zoo is an example of the challenges in the preservation of biodiversity that are observed all over the world. Especially the breeding and maintenance of already extinct fresh water fishing in the zoo is a step in the right direction to secure the biological diversity in the long term, as well as