Preservation of species and nature conservation

Approximate about 150 animal species and botanical species become extinct daily under the influence of the people. Today more than 5000 animal species are on the border of the eradication. Most of them are threatened, because they react very sensitively to changes of her living space. Today accordingly the species extinction runs a thousand times faster than in the time before the influence of the modern person.

Therefore, the protection of endangered species is important as never before and we have the responsibility for the survival of the biodiversity.

1) Zoos worldwide hand in hand for the protection of endangered species

Worldwide modern zoos work hand in hand for the protection of the endangered species.

This kind of community creates the world zoo-nature-conservation strategy, which is a document of the world zoo organisation WAZA. The Zoo Schmiding also belongs to this organisation, which is called WAZA. Have a look at: www.waza.org.

The world zoo-nature conservation strategy was written by some international experts and the aim is the preservation of the natural variety. Further more, a combination of preservation breeding is aimed by rare animals in zoos and the preservation of her living spaces in the open land.

2) Preservation of the species in the zoo

Zoological gardens aren't any more presenting just very exotic animals to the visitor. The most central job of a modern zoo is the preservation of threatened animals by a controlled breeding. Populations of wild animals are bred about many generations in a way that the loss of genetic variability is avoided. Because of this strategy, the animals with her natural and original signs stay alive and get protected. They are available, also in the long term, for any kind of projects for the projection of endangered species, as for example projects of reintroducement into the natural habitat.

Nevertheless, a strict breeding management of exotic animals is possible only by a cooperation of the zoos. Therefore, there are different programmes worldwide which devote themselves only for the breeding of threatened animal species in human care. In Europe the European Endangered Species Programmes (EEPs) were founded in 1985 (www.eaza.net) and cooperate with many European zoos. From originally 17 EEPs more than 250 breeding programmes are now involved in the projects and the number of members is getting constantly higher. Various animals in Zoo Schmiding are part of such an EEP, for example, the little pandas, Siberian tigers, white rhinos and the gorillas.

3) Support of preventive measures in the natural living space

Beside its engagement in breeding programms for threatened animals Zoo Schmiding supports projects that protect animals in their natural living space, e.g. for Mountain Gorillas, Northern Bald Ibis and Challitricidae.

4) OZO - Austrian zoos together for the protection of endangered species (OZO: www.ozo.at)

One important aim of the Austrian zoo organisation is the preservation of species and nature conservation. Members of the OZO are beside Zoo Schmiding the Alpenzoo, Zoo Salzburg , Tierwelt Herberstein, Tiergarten Schönbrunn, Vivarium and Haus des Meeres.
The OZO wants to promote actively the best wild keeping of animals in Austria . Other aims and duties are the support of the concerns of the protection of animals, protection of endangered species and nature conservation, the participation in research activities to the preservation of the biodiversity, the education of experts in the zoo area and the technical support of the authorities.
The OZO also supports the "Waldrappteam" in protecting northern bald ibis, the preservation breeding and resettlement of the beard vulture in the alpes as well as the "Przewalski-horses" in

Mongolia . The above mentioned projects have taken their exit in zoological gardens. Thanks to the help of donations of the zoo visitors and other animal's friends and partners from the economy, the OZO receives the money to support the European Zoo campaigns for example for Siberian tigers, ampibians, rhinos and tortoises.

5) Participation in endangered species campaigns

Every year the union of European zoos and aquariums (EAZA: www.eaza.net) organises a campaign for the protection of well-chosen threatened animal species or a particularly threatened living space. Through the participation of more than 250 European member's organisations about 100 million visitors can get informed about the projects and the threatened situations. The donation money which gets collected at the different campaigns benefits on a direct way the protective projects. The Zoo Schmiding is a member of the EAZA and supports actively the protection of endangered species campaigns.

Here an overview:

A) Bushmeat Campaign

The first of EAZA's annual conservation campaigns addressed the issue of the unsustainable and illegal hunting and trade of threatened wildlife, in particular the great apes. Bushmeat is a term commonly used to describe the hunting and trade of wild meat.
The bushmeat trade was (and still is) a serious threat to the survival of apes in the wild. Habitat loss and deforestation have historically been the major causal factors for declining populations of great apes, but experts now agree that the illegal commercial bushmeat trade has surpassed habitat loss as the primary threat to ape populations.

B) Rainforest Campaign

This campaign focused on one of the world's most threatened biodiversity hotspots: Brazil's Atlantic Forest (or Mata Atlântica in Portuguese). Habitat destruction is a serious and urgent problem for the many animal species living in the Atlantic Forest . For this campaign Golden-headed lion tamarins were used as the flagship species to show how deforestation, hunting and commerce can cause species to become endangered. EAZA wanted to raise awareness of conservations needs and conservations projects in the Atlantic Forest and of European breeding programmes and they moreover wanted to raise funds.

C) Tiger's campaign

The tiger is not only the biggest big cat, but also one of the most graceful creatures of the world. Originally eight tiger's subspecies existed. Nowadays already tree of eight tiger's subspecies have become extinct and the remaining five are seriously threatened. The main reason is the destruction of their living space. Moreover, tigers often get purchased and killed because of their fur and a lot of attempts are made in reference to the alternative medicine.

The tiger's campaign EAZA in 2002/2003 was successful so that it was extended till 2004. All together were collected more than 660,000€ which support the tiger's protection projects in India, Russia and Indonesia .

D) Shellshock - tortoises in need

Tortoises already lived before more than 250 million years on our planet. But during the last 30 years the situation has changed dramatically and nearly half of all still existing tortoises' kinds are now seriously threatened because of the influence of the person. Reasons for the widespread deaths is the consumption of tortoise's meat in the Asian space, the ocean-going fishing as well as the worldwide soiling and destruction of the living spaces of the tortoises.

EAZA made a special campaign in 2004/2005 for the protection of the Shellshock – the so called "living fossils". Therefore the Zoo Schmiding created information boards which inform exactly about the land tortoises and turtles.

E) Save the Rhino – EAZA Rhino Campaign

The fifth EAZA conservation campaign focused on the rhino, a charismatic mega-herbivore that is often a favourite for zoo visitors. Three of five species of rhino are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Through cooperating with Save the Rhino International (SRI) the campaign was able to ensure that the funds raised went to support a number of key rhino conservation projects.
Rhinos face threats from a number of sources including hunting – both for souvenirs and Chinese traditional medicine – habitat loss and political conflict.

F) Madagascar Campaign
As a result of its special geological history Madagascar developed spectacular flora and fauna, including thousands of species unique to this great island. It's no wonder that Madagascar is seen as one of the most important biodiversity hotspots on earth. Many of Madagascar 's diverse ecosystems, however, are in great danger because of human activities. Forest habitats are dwindling, which is the major problem for the 90% of Madagascar 's fauna that rely on them. A significant number of terrestrial species on the island are listed on the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable. Much of this island's unique flora and fauna will disappear soon unless measures are taken to protect them.

G) AMPHIBIAN ALRAM – FROG CAMPAIGN

After thriving for over 360 million years, one third to one half of all amphibian species could disappear in the immediate future. Recognising this, various parties from the global conservation community, including specialists from the relevant IUCN groups and experts from within EAZA and other zoo associations, initiated joint actions designed to halt and hopefully even reverse the global loss of amphibians.
Up to 122 amphibian species may have become extinct since 1980 and population numbers are decreasing for at least 43% of species. Habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation are major causes of declining populations.

H) EAZA EUROPEAN CARNIVORE CAMPAIGN

The campaign aims to raise awareness of nature conservation within Europe with a special focus on European carnivore species. Carnivores are confronted by two contrasting groups of problems; one relating to an increase in carnivore numbers and the other from a decline.

Europe is home to a number of carnivores both large and small. It would be impossible for a campaign to focus on them all and so, initially, twelve of the most charismatic and most threatened species were selected as the campaign flagship species: Arctic fox, brown bear, Eurasian otter, Eurasian lynx, Eurasian wildcat, European mink, golden jackal, grey wolf, Iberian lynx, marbled polecat, polar bear and wolverine.
The initial campaign aims encompassed raising awareness of the rich diversity of wildlife in European countries and of the steps that need to be taken to ensure that we can live together with these species.

(All campaign information's are from the EAZA-Website www.eaza.net)

	A) Bushmeat Campaign The first of EAZA's annual conservation campaigns addressed the issue of the unsustainable and illegal hunting and trade of threatened wildlife, in particular the great apes. Bushmeat is a term commonly used to describe the hunting and trade of wild meat. The bushmeat trade was (and still is) a serious threat to the survival of apes in the wild. Habitat loss and deforestation have historically been the major causal factors for declining populations of great apes, but experts now agree that the illegal commercial bushmeat trade has surpassed habitat loss as the primary threat to ape populations.
	B) Rainforest Campaign This campaign focused on one of the world's most threatened biodiversity hotspots: Brazil's Atlantic Forest (or Mata Atlântica in Portuguese). Habitat destruction is a serious and urgent problem for the many animal species living in the Atlantic Forest . For this campaign Golden-headed lion tamarins were used as the flagship species to show how deforestation, hunting and commerce can cause species to become endangered. EAZA wanted to raise awareness of conservations needs and conservations projects in the Atlantic Forest and of European breeding programmes and they moreover wanted to raise funds.
	C) Tiger's campaign The tiger is not only the biggest big cat, but also one of the most graceful creatures of the world. Originally eight tiger's subspecies existed. Nowadays already tree of eight tiger's subspecies have become extinct and the remaining five are seriously threatened. The main reason is the destruction of their living space. Moreover, tigers often get purchased and killed because of their fur and a lot of attempts are made in reference to the alternative medicine. The tiger's campaign EAZA in 2002/2003 was successful so that it was extended till 2004. All together were collected more than 660,000€ which support the tiger's protection projects in India, Russia and Indonesia .
	D) Shellshock - tortoises in need Tortoises already lived before more than 250 million years on our planet. But during the last 30 years the situation has changed dramatically and nearly half of all still existing tortoises' kinds are now seriously threatened because of the influence of the person. Reasons for the widespread deaths is the consumption of tortoise's meat in the Asian space, the ocean-going fishing as well as the worldwide soiling and destruction of the living spaces of the tortoises. EAZA made a special campaign in 2004/2005 for the protection of the Shellshock – the so called "living fossils". Therefore the Zoo Schmiding created information boards which inform exactly about the land tortoises and turtles.
	E) Save the Rhino – EAZA Rhino Campaign The fifth EAZA conservation campaign focused on the rhino, a charismatic mega-herbivore that is often a favourite for zoo visitors. Three of five species of rhino are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Through cooperating with Save the Rhino International (SRI) the campaign was able to ensure that the funds raised went to support a number of key rhino conservation projects. Rhinos face threats from a number of sources including hunting – both for souvenirs and Chinese traditional medicine – habitat loss and political conflict.
	F) Madagascar Campaign As a result of its special geological history Madagascar developed spectacular flora and fauna, including thousands of species unique to this great island. It's no wonder that Madagascar is seen as one of the most important biodiversity hotspots on earth. Many of Madagascar 's diverse ecosystems, however, are in great danger because of human activities. Forest habitats are dwindling, which is the major problem for the 90% of Madagascar 's fauna that rely on them. A significant number of terrestrial species on the island are listed on the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable. Much of this island's unique flora and fauna will disappear soon unless measures are taken to protect them.
	G) AMPHIBIAN ALRAM – FROG CAMPAIGN After thriving for over 360 million years, one third to one half of all amphibian species could disappear in the immediate future. Recognising this, various parties from the global conservation community, including specialists from the relevant IUCN groups and experts from within EAZA and other zoo associations, initiated joint actions designed to halt and hopefully even reverse the global loss of amphibians. Up to 122 amphibian species may have become extinct since 1980 and population numbers are decreasing for at least 43% of species. Habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation are major causes of declining populations.
	H) EAZA EUROPEAN CARNIVORE CAMPAIGN The campaign aims to raise awareness of nature conservation within Europe with a special focus on European carnivore species. Carnivores are confronted by two contrasting groups of problems; one relating to an increase in carnivore numbers and the other from a decline. Europe is home to a number of carnivores both large and small. It would be impossible for a campaign to focus on them all and so, initially, twelve of the most charismatic and most threatened species were selected as the campaign flagship species: Arctic fox, brown bear, Eurasian otter, Eurasian lynx, Eurasian wildcat, European mink, golden jackal, grey wolf, Iberian lynx, marbled polecat, polar bear and wolverine. The initial campaign aims encompassed raising awareness of the rich diversity of wildlife in European countries and of the steps that need to be taken to ensure that we can live together with these species.