In Austria, more than 35 percent of the vertebrate species found are threatened, and the figure for reptiles and amphibians is even more than 60 percent. This is a wake-up call for PENNY and a given reason to cooperate with the Schönbrunn Zoo.
Contemporary zoos such as the Schönbrunn Zoo are not only recreational spaces but also educational centers, venues for research and teaching and, above all, strong partners for nature and species conservation projects. "Zoos are thus a window to the fascinating biodiversity on our planet and the protection of endangered species is one of the core tasks of modern zoos. Our animal zoo inhabitants are ambassadors:inside for their endangered conspecifics in the wild," says zoo director Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck.
Schönbrunn Zoo excites its visitors for the world of animals and awakens their interest in nature and species conservation - "See animals. Protect species" is the motto. However, Schönbrunn Zoo is not only involved in species protection projects in faraway countries, such as for the polar bear in the Arctic or for the Batagur river turtle in Bangladesh. Species protection begins on our doorstep, because domestic species are also threatened.
"Regional species protection is close to PENNY's heart. Together with the Schönbrunn Zoo, we manage to take care of endangered species that can be found right on our doorstep," emphasizes PENNY Managing Director Ralf Teschmit.
The bald ibis is one of the most endangered bird species in the world. Until its extinction in the 17th century, it was also native to Austria. This is exactly what is now to be restored.
The Ural Owl is the largest forest owl in Central Europe. Before it disappeared 100 years ago, it inhabited the old mixed forests of Austria. Since these are now managed more sustainably and new protected areas have been created, its reintroduction was able to start in 2007.
The European Pond Turtle is the only native turtle. Today it is found exclusively in the Danube floodplains. Metal grids are installed over the nests buried in the ground to protect them from nest predators. The size of the mesh allows the young turtles to hatch unhindered.
The fire salamander is threatened due to habitat loss and by the amphibian disease chytridiomycosis. In Europe, it is caused by two fungi and leads to rapid population declines. The occurrence of the infections is investigated by skin swabs, and regular monitoring documents the current spread. Currently, there are no known infections in Austria.
The bearded vulture was extirpated in the Alpine region at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1986, the first zoo-born Bearded Vultures were reintroduced in the Hohe Tauern National Park. Around 250 birds have been reintroduced to the wild to date.
The dogfish was considered extinct in Austria in 1975. However, 17 years later, ecologists discovered a population of around 6,000 specimens in the Fadenbach between Eckartsau and Orth. It is nevertheless threatened by extreme drought or possible unpredictable events. Therefore, European dogfish are bred and kept in the wild in case of need.
The corncrake occurs in Austria with about 40-50 breeding pairs, but it occurs in insular occurrences. In Vienna there are one to five territories, every few years also one or two on the land managed by the Schönbrunn Zoo in the Gütenbach Valley. During management, attention is paid to the needs of the rare meadow bird.
The Schönbrunn Palace Park and also the zoo, with their wide range of food and small-structured habitats such as ponds, hedges and the woodland, are an important habitat for native wildlife. Therefore, special care is taken to provide a habitat for native species, especially when redesigning the facilities.
Further information on the partnership and the species conservation projects is available at: penny.at/schönbrunn
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