(EMOTIONAL❤️🔥)Giraffe care in Gelsenkirchen Innovative breeding programs for the protection of endangered species
The Zoom Erlebniswelt sets standards in family planning for giraffes and is actively involved in species conservation.
Preserving Genetic Diversity: The Giraffe Family at Zoom Erlebniswelt
The Zoom Erlebniswelt in Gelsenkirchen has not only established itself as a popular excursion destination for families, but is also characterized by its commitment to the protection of endangered species. An impressive example of this is the careful family planning of the giraffes, especially the imposing giraffe bull Kito.
Kito, with an imposing height of 4.70 meters, is regularly exposed to a special contraceptive to temporarily stop his ability to reproduce. This unusual approach serves a higher purpose: the protection and preservation of genetic diversity in Rothschild giraffes, a particularly rare subspecies that is on the Red List of Threatened Species.
The Zoom Adventure World in Gelsenkirchen, which opened in 2005 on the site of the former Ruhr Zoo, is home to around 900 animals in near-natural enclosures. The giraffes are part of the Africa Adventure World, which fascinates visitors with a boat trip to the hippos and a large bush-tree savannah.
Biologist’s Role: Jörg Jebram’s Dedication to Giraffe Family Planning
Biologist Jörg Jebram, who has been a scientific assistant at the zoo since 2009, is responsible for the giraffes’ family planning. He keeps the giraffe studbook in the European Endangered Species Program (EEP). A total of 16 institutions, including Zoom Erlebniswelt, participate in this program, which regulates the breeding of rare animal species in zoos.
The European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) was launched in the 1990s to protect species threatened with extinction. Each species has a local EEP coordinator who maintains contact with colleagues across national borders and proposes matings to maintain genetic diversity.
Jebram carefully collects data on giraffes throughout Europe, noting births, deaths, transportation, origin and genetic characteristics of the animals. A complete pedigree is crucial for successful breeding projects. Giraffes are classified into different subspecies based on their coat pattern, with Rothschild giraffes being particularly rare.
The situation of giraffes in the wild is alarming. They are already extinct in seven African countries, and in their natural habitat south of the Sahara their overall numbers have declined by 40 percent in the last 15 years.
Rothschild’s giraffes are particularly endangered, with only around 1100 remaining in Kenya and Uganda. European zoos, including Zoom Erlebniswelt, play a crucial role in the conservation of this subspecies. Around a third of the world’s population now lives in European zoos.
However, breeding giraffes in zoos is not without its challenges. Careful planning is required to maintain genetic diversity and avoid space problems. Family planning is managed through the use of contraceptives to ensure a controlled population.
Modern zoos that work according to scientific criteria make an important contribution to species conservation. The European Conservation Breeding Program not only enables the preservation of genetic diversity, but also participates in reintroduction projects to reintegrate endangered species into their natural environment.
A pioneer in this field was the British zoo founder Gerald Durrell, who specialized in breeding highly endangered species at his zoo on the Channel Island of Jersey back in the 1960s. His legacy lives on, and today many zoos, including Zoom Erlebniswelt, are guided by his principles.
The Zoom Erlebniswelt in Gelsenkirchen relies not only on an impressive landscape design, but also on a master plan that offers visitors and animals alike optimal conditions. Veterinarian Prof. Franz Schwarzenberger emphasizes the importance of zoos that are committed to scientific criteria. Zoos such as Frankfurt, Cologne, Munich and Münster are also known for their efforts to protect species.
Gelsenkirchen’s Zoom Erlebniswelt sees its responsibility not only in presenting animals, but also in actively contributing to the protection of endangered species. The giraffe family around the impressive bull Kito is a fascinating example of how modern zoos can make a contribution to saving endangered species with targeted breeding programs.
Preserving genetic diversity and the challenges of breeding giraffes in European zoos
The giraffe family at the Zoom Erlebniswelt in Gelsenkirchen is the focus of a remarkable species conservation project. Under the direction of biologist Jörg Jebram, the zoo actively participates in the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP). This program was launched in the 1990s to preserve the genetic diversity of animal species in European zoos and to protect endangered species.
Rothschild’s giraffes, a rare subspecies of giraffe, are a particular focus of this program. Only around 1100 of this subspecies still exist in Kenya and Uganda. The Zoom Erlebniswelt in Gelsenkirchen is home to a significant population of these rare giraffes, which are protected and propagated through targeted breeding measures.
Challenges and Solutions: Breeding Giraffes in European Zoos
However, family planning for giraffes is a complex task. Every detail, from births and deaths to the genetic characteristics of the animals, is carefully documented by Jörg Jebram. A complete pedigree is crucial for successful breeding and the preservation of genetic diversity.
The challenges in giraffe breeding lie not only in genetic diversity, but also in population limitation. In the last five years, an average of around 20 more giraffe babies have been born than is necessary for a healthy population. In the long term, this could lead to space problems in zoos, especially when it comes to the difficult-to-place bulls aged two and a half and over.
The Zoom Erlebniswelt in Gelsenkirchen is aware of its responsibility and is committed to sustainable family planning. The use of contraceptives for selected animals, such as the impressive giraffe bull Kito, is a measure to ensure a controlled population and avoid space problems.
The genetic diversity among giraffes is not only crucial for the preservation of these fascinating animals but also contributes to zoos’ role in wildlife conservation. Rothschild giraffes are not only impressive residents of zoos but also ambassadors for their endangered counterparts in the wild.
Jörg Jebram and his team in Gelsenkirchen collaborate closely with other zoos participating in the European Breeding Program. The networking of these institutions allows for maximizing genetic diversity and making a significant contribution to the rescue of endangered species.
Giraffes in Peril: The Alarming Situation in the Wild
The situation of giraffes in their natural habitat south of the Sahara is alarming. Over the last 15 years, the overall giraffe population has declined by 40 percent, and they have already gone extinct in seven African countries. The reasons for this decline are diverse, ranging from accidents and diseases to poaching and habitat loss.
Rothschild giraffes are particularly vulnerable, existing in small numbers due to threats like acacia deforestation. European zoos play a crucial role in preserving this subspecies, and the European Breeding Program provides a framework for coordinated conservation efforts.
The Zoom Erlebniswelt in Gelsenkirchen demonstrates that modern zoos are not just entertainment venues but can actively contribute to the protection of endangered species. The giraffe family led by Kito is a living example of how targeted breeding programs and careful family planning can help maintain genetic diversity and contribute to wildlife conservation.
The significance of zoos in wildlife conservation is further emphasized through collaboration with environmental organizations and conservation projects in the animals’ native countries. Zoos serve not only as places of presentation but also as educational institutions, informing visitors about the threats to wildlife species in their natural habitats and encouraging active conservation.
Looking beyond European zoos, the challenges in wildlife conservation are global. Global networking, cooperation, and coordinated actions are crucial to preserving endangered species from extinction.
Gerald Durrell’s Legacy: Pioneering Wildlife Conservation in Zoos
Gerald Durrell and Pioneering Work in Wildlife Conservation A pioneer in the field of wildlife conservation in zoos was the British zoo founder Gerald Durrell. Born in India in 1925, he claimed that his first word as a child was “Zoo.” Durrell, a self-taught zoologist, is considered a European pioneer in wildlife conservation in zoos and is cult-like in status in England, comparable to Bernhard Grzimek in Germany.
Durrell was not only a passionate animal keeper but also a successful author. His expeditions around the world as a zoo animal collector were documented by the BBC and captivated millions of viewers. In 1959, Durrell realized his dream and founded his own zoo on the Channel Island of Jersey.
Durrell’s approach was revolutionary. His zoo was intended not only for entertainment but, above all, for research, education, and the protection of endangered species. In 1963, the zoo became the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. The “ark” on Jersey is home to almost exclusively endangered species such as gorillas, orangutans, lemurs, birds, and reptiles.
Durrell Wildlife is dedicated not only to the breeding of endangered species but also advocates for reintroduction projects. One of its famous achievements is the rescue of the Mauritius kestrel, of which only four individuals remained in 1974. Thanks to Durrell’s efforts, this species was removed from the Red List of endangered species two decades later.
The breeding of Madagascar lemurs and American squirrel monkeys on Jersey is also noteworthy. In 1980, a Golden Lion Tamarin was born there, the first offspring of this species outside their native Brazil. This reintroduction project contributed to the reclassification of these endangered monkeys from “critically endangered” to “endangered.”
Even after Gerald Durrell’s death in 1995, his legacy continues. Durrell Wildlife is involved in 78 conservation projects worldwide and claims to have saved 26 species from extinction. The biodiversity on Jersey serves not only research but also education. The in-house academy offers training and courses for caretakers, scientists, and animal welfare advocates.
Zoos Beyond Entertainment: The Global Significance of Wildlife Conservation
The story of Gerald Durrell and Durrell Wildlife illustrates that wildlife conservation in zoos is not only important at a national level but also globally significant. Through targeted breeding programs and reintroduction projects, zoos can make a valuable contribution to the protection of endangered species.
The future of wildlife conservation and the role of modern zoos have evolved in recent years. Modern zoos that operate based on scientific criteria and actively participate in the protection of endangered species play a crucial role in global wildlife conservation.
The collaboration of zoos with environmental organizations and conservation projects in the animals’ native countries is essential to intensify the protection of endangered species. Networking, information exchange, and coordinated actions are key elements to successfully counteract the extinction of animal species.
The Zoom Erlebniswelt in Gelsenkirchen sets an example of active zoo participation in wildlife conservation. The giraffe family led by the impressive bull Kito demonstrates how targeted breeding programs and careful family planning can contribute to maintaining genetic diversity and preserving endangered species.
The future of wildlife conservation lies in continuous research, education, and collaboration among zoos, environmental organizations, and conservation projects. The challenges are diverse, from preserving genetic diversity to addressing space issues in zoos.
The Zoom Erlebniswelt in Gelsenkirchen, with its master plan and dedicated family planning for giraffes, provides a positive example. Looking at the successes of zoos like Durrell Wildlife on Jersey shows that wildlife conservation in zoos is not only a local matter but a global responsibility.
In times when animal habitats are increasingly threatened by human interventions, modern zoos play a crucial role. They are not just places of entertainment but also educational institutions that sensitize visitors to the beauty and fragility of nature.
The giraffe family in Gelsenkirchen and Gerald Durrell’s work on Jersey demonstrate that encountering animals in zoos is not only fascinating but can also contribute to the protection of endangered species. The future of wildlife conservation relies on the collective effort of zoos, research institutions, environmental organizations, and the general public.
The Zoom Erlebniswelt in Gelsenkirchen, with its commitment to giraffes and active participation in the European Breeding Program, signals a commitment to wildlife conservation. The genetic diversity and family planning of giraffes are crucial elements for making a sustainable contribution to the rescue of endangered species.
Overall, the history of zoos, from the pioneering achievements of Gerald Durrell to modern approaches like those of the Zoom Erlebniswelt in Gelsenkirchen, illustrates that wildlife conservation in zoos can be a success story. Through continuous research, education, and collaboration, zoos can play a positive role in protecting endangered species and influencing the future of the animal kingdom sustainably.
The Future of Wildlife Conservation: Collaborative Efforts and Education
Looking into the future of wildlife conservation, challenges remain significant, but the opportunities to save endangered species through the commitment of zoos and conservation organizations are also increasing. The Zoom Erlebniswelt in Gelsenkirchen and its giraffe family are a living example of the positive impact of zoos in wildlife conservation.