Discover the Wonders of Nature at Vienna Zoo

Vienna Zoo, also known as Schönbrunn Zoo, is a true symbol of nature conservation and education. Founded in 1752, this zoo is not only the oldest in the world but also one of the most modern, dedicated to protecting endangered species and educating the public about the importance of biodiversity.

Located within the historic and charming Schönbrunn Palace, the zoo offers visitors a unique experience that combines the beauty of nature with a commitment to wildlife care. Over the centuries, the zoo’s role has transformed from a mere collection of exotic animals into a center for conservation, science, and education. Today, Vienna Zoo actively participates in international conservation projects, successfully reintroducing species such as the Northern river terrapin and the bare-faced ibis back into the wild.

Furthermore, the zoo is a place where both children and adults can learn about the importance of protecting nature. Through interactive educational programs, night visits, and behind-the-scenes tours, visitors have the opportunity to explore the fascinating world of animals and understand the challenges they face in their natural habitats.

I had the privilege of conducting an online interview with Reinwald Caroline, a representative of Vienna Zoo, who provided us with an in-depth perspective on the role this institution plays in species conservation. During the interview, Caroline discussed the successful projects undertaken by the zoo, such as the rescue and reintroduction of rare species like the Northern river terrapin and the bare-faced ibis back into the wild. Vienna Zoo has become a leader in wildlife conservation, contributing not only to the protection of animals but also to the education of future generations.

1.Vienna Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the world. How has the role of the zoo evolved from its founding in 1752 to the present day?

The Zoo was first founded by the Austrian emperor. Back then it was a private collection of exotic animals that were merely but on display. Humans were regarded as superior to all other animals, and this was reflected in the architecture of zoos. Very often one would look down on animals in their enclosures as opposed to meeting them at eye level. But the role of zoos has changed drastically over the past. They evolved into centers for education, science and conservation. Today, our mission at the Vienna Zoo is to inspire our guests for the world of animals and to promote awareness for nature- and species conservation. We firmly believe that people will only try to save what they know and love. Our animals here act as ambassadors for their conspecifics in the wild. They help us to inform our visitors about the biology of different species as well as the threats these animals are facing in the wild. We have built ambassador centers, such as our “Polardom” to inform about different issues polar bears and other species are facing in the wild. Additionally, zoos are conserving backup populations of endangered species in case they do go extinct in the wild. A lot of effort goes into breeding and maintaining healthy populations under human care. Certain species would no longer exist if it weren’t for the breeding efforts of zoos. The current role of Zoos in conservation has previously also been acknowledged by the IUCN, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature – and this role will only grow in the future as our global biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate. Additionally, a lot of research that is being carried out at zoos contributes to understanding and protecting various animal species. Zoos have changed a lot, and they will continue to do so in order to take on the challenges of our time.

 

2. What are the most important conservation projects currently being carried out by Vienna Zoo, and how do they contribute to protecting endangered species?

 

The Vienna Zoo is part of multiple conservation projects around the globe, some of which are even led by us. One of these projects focuses on saving and protecting the Northern river terrapin, a species of turtle formerly native to Southeast India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. In 2010, there were only 20 known individuals left in the wild. Four of these Individuals were brought to the Vienna Zoo, where we initiated an ex-situ breeding program – meaning a breeding program outside of the animals` natural range. Shortly after, the zoo successfully bred individuals of this species for the first time ever – a true sensation. This yielded a wealth of new information that proved to be highly valuable for subsequent captive-breeding efforts. In cooperation with turtle expert Peter Praschag and the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA), the zoo initiated a rescue program for the Northern river terrapin in Bangladesh. Turtles were tracked down in village ponds, purchased, and transferred to a captive-breeding center in Bhawal National Park, accompanied by staff members of the Bangladesh Forest Department. This facility guarantees protection for these rare animals and optimizes breeding efforts. As risk distribution and as a base station for a future introduction project, a second facility in Karamjal was adapted in 2015. After many hurdles, we were able to successfully reintroduce turtles into protected areas of mangrove forests, which is a huge step for the Northern river terrapin.

 

Another project led by the zoo focuses on reintroducing Northern bald ibises back into the wild. Chicks that hatch in zoos are raised by hand and therefore imprint on human foster parents. Northern bald ibises are migratory birds and must learn their route from their parents. So once the chicks are old enough, their foster parents show them the migratory route as co-pilots in ultralight airplanes (human-led migration). The migration takes them down south to suitable wintering grounds. At an age of two to three years, the Northern bald ibises can migrate back to their brooding grounds and brood there independently. They can then take their own young down south and establish a new migratory tradition.

These projects are just very few examples of how the Vienna Zoo contributes to species conservation in the wild. Breeding efforts at scientifically managed zoos are generally geared towards building healthy back-up populations for a wide variety of species. As more and more animals are threatened with extinction, this role is becoming more and more prominent.

3. How does the zoo aim to provide an educational experience for visitors? What special initiatives or programs are available for children and young people?

 

Generally, zoos are amongst the largest extracurricular institutions for nature education. As a scientifically managed institution, education is one of our main pillars. Therefore, all of our programs are tailored towards conveying important topics, such as conservation, to our audience. We offer a wide variety of guided tours for different age groups. Our night-tours are especially popular. These programs enable visitors to tour the zoo after visiting hours with a guide and night vision devices. During the tours, there is a special, calm atmosphere. Many animals are asleep, but others are active at night, which the visitors seem to particularly enjoy. People often forget that various animals have activity patterns different from ours. Visitors are also educated on the sleep patterns of different animal species and why these are ecologically relevant.

Other popular programs are our backstage-tours where visitors get a glimpse behind the scenes of our zoo. This can range from the preparation of food to our breeding facilities. It is nice to see how interested people are in the work that goes into keeping animals.

We also offer tours for school classes free of charge. In 2023, we toured around 1.000 school classes from different age groups! The focus here is on educating pupils on the biology, threats and conservation of different animals. We also offer programs for birthday parties where we educate children in a fun and playful way.

Another program tailored towards younger age groups (but is fun for the parents as well) are our species conservation days. Over a span of three days, around 30 different nature- and species conservation organizations present their work to our visitors and teach them about animals, nature and what every single one of us can do to protect them. It is of great importance to us to reach younger generations as they are the ones who will be taking over the reins one day and who will be representing our future in conservation.

4. What sustainability measures are being implemented at the zoo to reduce its environmental impact?

Animal houses, such as our giraffe park, are constructed in a way that makes them more energy efficient and therefore more sustainable. Also, any future projects are planned and constructed to be as energy efficient as possible. Most recently, we installed a photovoltaic system on the roof of our ORANG.erie.

The cultivation and transport of animal feed is a huge factor. Here, we obtain fresh grass for a variety of herbivorous animals from the Eichwiese, an area dominated by meadows in the Gütenbachtal in Vienna. This way, we can ensure the sustainable management of the meadows and keep transportation routes as short as possible. We plan our mowing dates according to the breeding season of the Corncrake, a highly endangered ground-nesting bird. Mowing early or late in the year ensures that any birds nesting in our meadows remain undisturbed. We also only mow parts of the meadows at a time to make sure that there are always enough areas for animals to retreat to. Similarly, a part of our bamboo is cultivated in the Burgenland, which keeps its´ transportation routes very short.

Last but not least, we commission monitorings for different native animals at the zoo, such as bees, beatles, butterflies, reptiles and amphibians. As a result, we have a clear picture of what wild, native species live on zoo grounds. This allows us to take the needs of native species into consideration when it comes to landscaping, managing forested patches in the zoo, or when building new exhibits.

5.What does a typical day look like for animal keepers at Vienna Zoo? Can you describe some behind-the-scenes aspects of animal care?

The day of our animal caretakers starts around 7:30 a.m. A lot of work they do revolves around preparing food or cleaning animal enclosures. These are also usually the first things they do in the morning – after checking in on the animals. Cutting fruits and vegetables, thawing fish or even cooking meat or rice for the many animals at the zoo is quite time consuming, as is the maintenance work inside the enclosures. Our animal caretakers will collect and remove fecal matter multiple times per day, depending on the species. They also provide regular enrichment opportunities for the animals – this is where they get a bit creative. 😉 They will for instance craft objects they can hide food in to stimulate the animals physically and mentally. They are also the ones who train the animals as part of daily health check-ups or to prepare them for potential medical procedures. Thanks to the caretakers` commitment to the animals, we are able to successfully breed a variety of highly endangered species, many of which are backstage. It is incredible how much work goes on in the background that isn’t seen by our visitors. The animal caretakers truly are the backbone of the zoo.

6. What development plans does the zoo have for the coming years? Are there any new habitats or attractions planned to enhance both visitor experience and animal welfare?

A modern zoo is never finished. We always want to improve our facilities according to the newest scientific discoveries and standards. For instance, we just finished improving our enclosure for animals living in the Asian highlands, such as our Himalayan thars. Furthermore, a new conservation aquarium is in the works. It will highlight serval aquatic habitats and create awareness for the threats they are currently facing. In conjunction with the aquarium, we just finished constructing an aquatic research station. Many of the species housed at our current aquarium will be moved there temporarily during the construction phase of the new Schönbrunn Conservation Aquarium. In the long run, we will focus on breeding highly endangered aquatic species at this station. Furthermore, we are also renovating our rainforest house.

 

In a new exhibition, we also want to highlight another driver for biodiversity loss: poaching and wildlife trafficking. We work closely with the Austrian customs department and have become the main refuge for wildlife that was smuggled into the country illegally and was seized by the authorities. This takes a huge effort from our side as we sometimes receive dozens (often more) animals on very short notice. Furthermore, we usually have no information on what species we are dealing with, it is up to us to identify them and care for them correctly. In 2021, we received over 70 chameleons from Tanzania, including species such as the highly endangered Nguru pygmy chameleon. We not only took over the emergency care of these animals and housed them in special terrariums, we were also able to breed them successfully. Our efforts represent an important milestone for building healthy backup populations and combating the extinction of these animals.

Most recently, we received another load of trafficked animals: different geckos from the Namib desert. Starting this year, a dedicated ambassador center will focus on wildlife trafficking, the issues that come with it as well as the efforts it takes from our side to rescue and nurse these animals back to health.

 

Aside from these more technical projects, we want to focus even more on communicating species conservation and science. Our zoo has shifted greatly from being a place that merely displayed exotic animals in the 18th century to a modern, scientifically led institution that focuses on supporting wildlife conservation. Zoos play a key role in the conservation of species through education and PR work, breeding programs, genetic backups, financial and material contributions as well as expert knowledge. With natural habitats dwindling and ecosystems being destroyed, this role will become more and more prevalent, and we are doing our best to rise to the challenge.

7. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many institutions, including zoos. How did Vienna Zoo manage this difficult period, and how did you adapt to the new challenges?

The pandemic was tough for a lot of businesses. A zoo has the additional challenge that staff and operating costs remain almost unchanged despite a lockdown. For many animal species for instance, their enclosures must always remain heated or cooled. Our animals require special care all year round, no matter what else might be going on. Therefore, employees who were responsible for the care of the animals and maintenance of the facilities worked on site, even during the pandemic. This included animal caretakers, veterinarians, zoological curators and technicians. To reduce the risk of infection, workers were divided into teams that took turns on duty. In agreement with the workers` council, the zoo registered 70 percent of its approximately 230 employees for short-time work for three months. By doing so, we were able to ensure that all employees kept their jobs. It is important to mention that the Vienna Zoo finances its ongoing operations and investments (e.g. construction projects) all by itself. This also applied during the pandemic. At 75 percent, admission fees normally make up the majority of the zoo`s income. With the zoo being closed to visitors, this source of income disappeared temporarily.

However, we were particularly grateful that many people supported us with donations and sponsorships during this challenging time. Luckily, once the zoo reopened, we were able to build on our success from previous years. Even right after, in 2022, we were able to report around 2 million visitors!

 

8. How do you collaborate with other zoos and conservation centers worldwide to protect biodiversity and maintain healthy animal populations?

We are constantly in contact with other zoos and organizations that are working towards protecting nature. The Vienna Zoo is part of an international network of scientifically lead zoological gardens and our work is carefully coordinated with other members.We transfer animals between zoos to foster genetic exchange within a species. This way, we can build and maintain healthy backup populations under human care, referred to as ex-situ populations. Within EAZA member zoos, these population management programmes are called EEPs, EAZA Ex-situ Programmes. EAZA stands for the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria. Within each EEP for a certain species, a coordinator records information on all animals within EAZA zoos in a studbook and gives breeding recommendations for certain individuals according to the population data. If worst comes to worst and a species goes extinct in the wild, animals from back-up populations can be reintroduced back into the wild. This however, must be carefully evaluated and planned.

Furthermore, we exchange valuable knowledge with other parties in order to support and learn from one another. Zoos are experts when it comes to animal husbandry, knowledge that many organizations focusing on wildlife rehabilitation or captive breeding programs profit from. We also engage with experts from different countries to perpetually improve our understanding of the species here at the zoo. Additionally, we support certain conservation projects in the field financially – or lead them.

9. What message would you like to convey to visitors and the community regarding the role they can play in protecting the environment and endangered species?

There are so many important messages and so many things we want to convey to people. But one huge message that we want to send is that in order to sustainably protect species, we must all work together, be it zoos, the general public, scientists, NGOs or whoever. This is why we also follow the one plan approach. If we coordinate our efforts here at the zoo with conservation actions in the wild, then we can support one another, learn from one another and ultimately have a much larger standing. It is also the reason one of our pillars here at the zoo is education. By educating people and creating admiration and fascination for wildlife, we can foster awareness in the general public. Because it is up to every single one of us to make a change and at the same time, we must all come together to create change.

At the moment, the main attraction at Vienna Zoo is the adorable koala bear, which captivates visitors with its cute appearance and relaxed demeanor. However, starting in January, the zoo will welcome back another beloved star—the panda bear. It will return to a new, modern home specifically designed to provide the best living conditions and offer visitors a unique experience. This much-anticipated return will add an extra charm to the zoo.

Vienna Zoo impressed us with its combination of history and modernity, but most notably with its commitment to animal protection and public education. During our visit, we were pleasantly surprised by the care given to the animals, with habitats designed to provide an environment as close to their natural one as possible. The educational programs are thoughtfully crafted and engaging, appealing to both children and adults, while the zoo’s active involvement in international conservation projects is commendable.

The relaxing atmosphere, along with the modern facilities, harmoniously blends the historical beauty of the site with contemporary needs for sustainability and conservation. Our experience at Vienna Zoo was truly memorable, and we highly recommend it to anyone looking to learn more about nature and understand the essential role of species conservation.

Photo credit: Photo Vienna.info