We welcome your enquiry regarding a research project for which you require access to the animals, animal data or biological samples of Schönbrunn Zoo. We are generally happy to support research projects in a wide range of disciplines. Nevertheless, we would like to point out that the welfare of our animals, as well as the work processes and safety of our staff, are our top priority. In addition, visitor traffic at our facility, various safety precautions and/or the daily routine of our animal keepers may also restrict the implementation of a scientific project to a certain extent. We therefore ask you to first read our background information carefully and to review or specify your project in advance based on this information. If you can answer most of the questions or need additional information on individual aspects, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We reserve the right to make the final assessment of the personnel costs, expenses, operational restrictions and obligations that your project implies for our institution and whether your project can therefore be carried out at Schönbrunn Zoo.
About your project - General information
What is the purpose of your research project?
Bachelor's thesis, Master's thesis, dissertation, independent research project with the aim of scientific publication, other.
To which scientific discipline will your study contribute?
Fundamental knowledge of biology, veterinary medicine, behaviour, cognition, reproduction, physiology, nutrition, social studies, history of zoos, animal husbandry, ethics, economics, other.
Which university/college/department and supervisor are you affiliated with?
We advise students to first consult with their supervisor to discuss the project and specify its scope, questions and methods.
About your project - Description
Can you provide a brief description of your project?
A brief written overview is helpful for both you and us – it allows us to better assess whether your project is feasible. The project description should contain an overview of your project and the project logistics, including: general information (see above), (working) title, justification of the necessity and relevance of the research topic, core questions, methods and data collection on specific animals or animal groups, time frame (overall and specifically for the planned data collection at the zoo) and, if applicable, literature on the topic.
Requirements for your project
Is your study ethically acceptable?
Your study must be conducted within the legal framework and comply with basic ethical requirements. If you are a student, the project will probably need to be approved by your institutional or departmental ethics committee. The zoo may also have its own ethical review procedures.
Is your study adequately funded?
Do you have an estimation of and sufficient funds to cover the anticipated costs, such as personnel, travel, transport, materials, laboratory and publication costs? Zoos can only provide financial resources to support external research projects in exceptional cases.
Who supports your project in terms of content?
In the case of research involving animals, a letter of support from a zoo organisation (EAZA, Taxon Advisory Group, studbook keeper, VdZ) can be helpful. It usually increases the willingness of zoos to participate in your project.
Does your project require approval?
Find out whether your project requires an animal testing licence, for example. You are responsible for obtaining a licence and for complying with the requirements. If your research on animals yields commercial benefits, the Nagoya Protocol may apply.
Are you planning a long-term study or a longer-term research project?
In this case, a joint declaration of intent as a long-term partner may be useful. Ask the zoo if it might be interested and what forms might be relevant.
Requirements for your project - Special case: zoo or aquarium
Have you taken into account the zoo's health and safety guidelines as well as your personal health?
The following factors should be considered: All physical requirements of your research, e.g. entering staff paths, enclosures or backstage areas (only with the consent and/or under the supervision of zoo staff), the conditions under which you intend to observe (e.g. hot or cold weather, indoor or outdoor facilities). Furthermore: diseases and potential transmission risks, proximity to animals, handling of biological samples. Clarify questions about liability and accident insurance in advance.
What requirements do you need for your data collection?
Do you need assistance from zoo staff? Are changes in animal management necessary (temporary separation of individual animals? Changes in feeding or other daily routines? Data collection in front of visitors or backstage)? Do you need special materials or facilities for storing materials or objects? Do you need access outside of zoo opening hours? Ownership rights to the collected data must be clarified in advance.
Will you be making audio or video recordings?
Audio and video recordings of animals may also include animal keepers and visitors. If this is the case, the recordings may not be used without their consent or without making the persons unrecognisable and/or without consulting the data protection officer.
Do you require biological samples from our animals?
Can the sampling be carried out non-invasively or as part of routine veterinary diagnostics? Who will take the samples and how? Where and for how long will the samples be stored? Do the samples need to be refrigerated (at what temperature)? Are export/import permits required for transport? Is a dangerous goods label required (e.g. for transport on dry ice)?
Do you need data on animals or animal populations in Europe or worldwide?
Please check a request („Research Request“) to use data from the ZIMS database, which are contributed by zoos and managed by Species360.
External communication
Are you planning to publish your findings in a scientific journal?
Upon completion of your research, you must inform us of your findings by means of a final report (or publication). For larger projects, you are also welcome to send the supporting animal keepers a summary, photos or similar.
We primarily support projects that plan to subsequently share the results with the professional community through a peer-reviewed publication (by you and, if applicable, with zoo staff as co-authors). Your publication can be added to the globally accessible database ‘Zoo Science Library’ („www.zoosciencelibrary.org“). We also expect all participating zoological institutions and, where applicable, their employees to be mentioned in the acknowledgements section of your publication.
May the zoo report publicly on your research work?
Whether on social media, in front of the enclosures or as part of guided tours, zoos are happy to report on ongoing research work. This may require the provision of relevant information, images or videos. If you decline this procedure, it is not usually a criterion for exclusion, but it is best to inform the zoo of this in advance.