“Zoo Science Library”

In addition to species conservation, education and recreation, research is one of the cornerstones of a modern zoo. Much of the practical research work naturally takes place behind the scenes, in the laboratory or even in the wild.

"Together with our partners we conduct research in our zoos and in nature as part of a global network. We are therefore all the more delighted that the Zoo Science Library now brings together the contribution of zoos to science in one place", explains Volker Homes, Managing Director of the Association of Zoological Gardens (VdZ).

The Zoo Science Library of the Association of Zoological Gardens (VdZ) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) has been online since March 2023. The freely accessible research database lists peer-reviewed publications from international journals that have been produced with the participation of VdZ and EAZA members. It starts with around 600 publications from 2021 and 2022, and further entries are being added on an ongoing basis. A user-friendly search mask helps to quickly find relevant publications, for example on a specific animal species.

New findings gained by and in zoos are crucial for successful species conservation, as they enable fact-based decisions to be made when it comes to protecting species from extinction.