species protection euro
The conservation breeding of endangered animal and plant species, known as ex situ protection, has long been one of the tasks of modern zoos. Many of the species kept and bred in the Aquazoo have already become extinct in the wild or are close to becoming so. The development of self-sustaining populations ideally goes hand in hand with the protection and restoration of habitats (in situ). This is the only way the affected species can be released back into the wild and take on their role in the complex ecological structure.
With the introduction of a species protection euro in the Aquazoo, significantly more funds have been available for species protection and the preservation of biodiversity since 2023. The introduction of this voluntary special contribution is based on a high level of social acceptability; it is therefore staggered and amounts to 50 cents for reduced tickets, 1 euro for adult tickets and 2 euros for family tickets. When purchasing a ticket to visit the Aquazoo, guests can actively object to the species protection euro. Every species protection euro flows directly and in full into selected species protection projects.
The projects supported by the Species Conservation Euro are spread across the world and are dedicated to different animal groups and ecosystems.
Campaigns
Scientifically managed zoos, aquariums and natural history museums are very concerned about preserving biological diversity. So, of course, nature and species conservation are also central goals for the Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum. Our permanent exhibition and our educational events are our most important mouthpieces for raising people's awareness of these issues. But behind the scenes, too, the work to protect our nature determines everything we do. The inventory and research of our collections is the basis for recording the "inventory of nature" and the historical development of populations. We breed rare species and research them. With conservation projects in the field, our work even extends beyond the institute walls. We would like to present a selection of projects to you here.
amphibian protection station
A third of the world's amphibian species are at acute risk of extinction...
tadpole project
The Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum supports the burbot on its return to the Rhine...
Bioblitz
"What can I do alone?" - a question that many ask themselves...
research
Research is an important basis for the professional keeping of animals and plants in human ...
education for Sustainable Development
We see encouraging our guests to live a more sustainable life as one of our core tasks...
Vietnamazing - Protecting Vietnam's Biodiversity Together
Every two years, the umbrella organization of scientifically managed zoos in Europe (EAZA) a major species protection campaign that draws attention to particularly threatened habitats and raises money for nature conservation projects. For the years 2024 and 2025, the participating institutions have joined forces to work to protect Vietnam's biodiversity. Various projects are being carried out in situ (on site) and ex situ (in stations and zoos) in line with the IUCN's One Plan Approach.
Unique Vietnam
Vietnam has many different ecosystems and a unique biodiversity. Many animal and plant species are endemic here, meaning they are found nowhere else. If we lose them, we lose them forever.
A fascinating animal world
Some species, including large mammals, have only been discovered in the last few decades, including the soala in 1992 and the giant muntjac in 1994. Many species are in danger of disappearing before they are even discovered.
Threatened by poaching
One of the biggest threats to Vietnam's wildlife is illegal hunting. Many species end up on the markets as expensive delicacies. Snakes, turtles, monkeys, pangolins and bear bile are used in traditional medicine.
Habitat is disappearing
Habitat destruction is having a dramatic impact on Vietnam's biodiversity. Originally, half of the country was covered by forest. Today, 40 percent of these habitats have been lost.
Support us!
The Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum is a cultural and scientific institution of the state capital Düsseldorf and represents an inseparable combination of zoo, aquarium and natural history museum. In a unique synergy of live animals, vivid exhibits and interactive media, it enables visitors to experience and understand the origin, evolution and diversity of animals and plants. You can find a description of our tasks in our mission statement.
Anyone who would like to support the work of our institute and our species conservation projects can get involved, for example, through sponsorships, membership in the Aquazoo Friends Circle or through donations.
Bronze figure for species protection in the Aquazoo
Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum and the sculptor Jörg Mazur support fire salamanders in need
The Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum and the sculptor Jörg Mazur are launching a campaign to protect the local fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra). Anyone interested can now purchase the bronze sculpture "Little amphibian holds on" limited to 100 pieces. The hand-signed bronze sculptures are 25 centimeters long and weigh about 1,6 kilograms. They come with a certificate and a hallmark that proves that they were made in the Düsseldorf art foundry Kayser. The little amphibians can now be purchased for 820 euros from the Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum.
Anyone interested can view the sculpture in the entrance area of the Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum and contact the Aquazoo deputy director, Sandra Honigs, directly by email or telephone.
Climate-friendly and fairly traded coffee in the design of the Aquazoo
A coffee edition in the design of the Aquazoo: DonRobertoCoffee® is now offering climate-friendly and fairly traded coffee to benefit a species protection project supported by the Aquazoo. Under the motto "Climate protection is also species protection", this supports a protection project for amphibians. Part of the proceeds from the sale goes to the K'ayra Center in Cochabamba, Bolivia, which is committed to preserving amphibians on and around Lake Titicaca. Two euros are donated to the species protection project for each pack.
The climate-friendly coffee from Costa Rica is something special in itself. In combination with the species protection project in Bolivia supported by the Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum, it also draws attention to the importance of climate and species protection. Protecting the biodiversity of habitats is a global challenge. People should be encouraged to contribute to preserving this vital diversity, especially through their consumption behavior.
The special edition coffee is available as ground coffee and whole beans in packs of 250 grams each for 9,90 euros.
Literature for Species Conservation
They are among the so-called underdogs in the animal kingdom and generally receive little attention. Amphibians and reptiles are not only important protagonists in healthy ecosystems, they are also sometimes on the verge of extinction. Several species have even already disappeared without anyone really noticing. For this reason, a team of authors, all of whom have roots in the Aquazoo, have written two book projects describing the most fascinating representatives of these groups, 111 species each. With "111 Amphibians That Improve Our World Every Day" and "111 Reptiles That Improve Our World Every Day", the team of authors presents interesting, fascinating, even unbelievable things from the world of underdogs in the animal kingdom. The books are intended to arouse sympathy and also generate funds for species conservation, because the authors of both books donate their entire fees to species conservation projects for the two animal groups.
Research for Species Conservation
In order to protect species, a comprehensive inventory analysis is usually required beforehand. Anyone who is interested in nature can support basic research by making their own nature observations available. By registering on Observation.org and downloading one of the associated apps (ObsIdentify or iObs), animals, plants and fungi can be easily identified using a mobile phone and the data archived. Species competitions between German communities also regularly initiate events where nature enthusiasts come together and go on a photo hunt together.
The Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum is involved in this citizen science project and regularly offers courses and excursions on species identification via ObsIdentify.
Sounds exciting?
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