Conservation work

For several years now the all-weather zoo has been taking part in international conservation work projects, which aim to protect and preserve endangered plant and animal species in their natural habitat.

With personal and financial commitment from Münster we primarily support conservation work in Vietnam, in particular the rescue of highly endangered primates. There is a unique varity of plants and animals in the north of the country, which is under threat due to systematic destruction.

The turtles of South East Asia are on the brink of extinction not only because of the destruction of their habitat but also because each year several million wild turtles are captured and sold at South Chinese markets. To save at least a few turtle species, a rescue and breeding station will be set up in the all-weather zoo. Here turtles will be bred and stable populations developed. Measures for the protection of the habitat with the long term goal of reintroduction of animals into the wild will also be taken.

In 1997 the "Westfälische Gesellschaft für Artenschutz e.V." (Westphalian Society for Conservation) was founded, which supports the conservation work of the zoo. Further information can be found under www.wgfa.de or www.zgap.de.