Animals & science
Stories
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Worldwide sharing: data makes the difference
Planckendael ZOO and Antwerp ZOO play an important role in creating the world’s largest and most comprehensive knowledge base on over 22,000 animal species. As members of the global nonprofit Species360, both zoos contribute daily data on animals and groups in their care, from lifecycle traits to environmental needs. This information is recorded in the Species360 Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS), the world's largest source of data on species.
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Moral Warriors or Coral Warriors? Divers fight for fragile coral
The divers of Antwerp ZOO’s reef aquarium help this artificial coral reef maintain its precarious balance. Just as in nature, this fragile ecosystem contains plants, fish, corals, invertebrates, crabs, micro-organisms and so on, all of which are strongly affected by light intensity and water quality. Various parameters, such as temperature, pH level, salinity, phosphate level and water currents are monitored continuously here.
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In the spotlight: Co-housers
Antwerp ZOO’s research staff spent an impressive 430 hours observing the zoo’s owl-faced monkeys and gorillas as the animal experts prepared these two primate species to share an enclosure. ‘This is one of the most significant behavioural observation projects we have ever conducted’, explains Animal Welfare Research Coordinator Marina Salas. ‘Thanks to the vast amount of information we’ve collected, experts from all disciplines can collaborate in a scientifically substantiated manner.
Blog
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Peatlands must be rewetted to achieve climate neutrality
Peatlands are living archives that contain huge amounts of carbon as well as millennia of historical information. These unique habitats are also home to a distinct peatland biodiversity, including many endangered plant and animal species. Unfortunately, the majority of peatlands has been destroyed in the past, with potentially catastrophic consequences.
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Can a computer save animals from extinction?
"Oops, we did it again". We do it over and over again and unfortunately, we are getting better at it: last year yet another 45 species were added to the list of extinct animals. Bad news for the giant tortoises of Galapagos, but also for lesser-known species with roaring names such as the Las Vegas leopard frog (yes, that's an animal too). Worse still, some million plant and animal species are at risk of suffering the same fate in the very near future. But maybe computers can help turn the tide.
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Swipe right to match the stripes
Put an okapi male and female together, wait a while and before you know it they have a calf, right? Well, if only it were that simple. Sometimes things don't go as we expect when it comes to breeding with zoo animals. Oftentimes that is because we do not take into account that animals need to actually get to know their future partner.
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ZOO Science (English)
It’s finally raining in Kenya! ️💦 The Grevy’s zebras have been suffering from the effects of an unprecedented drought. Thanks to financial support offered by Planckendael ZOO, these zebras have now been saved from a horrible fate. Read more on https://t.co/tq8utneTSx! https://t.co/6fMrbD3PrJ
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ZOO Science (English)
From the lab to the blue carpet: our Biobank fascinates the audience of the In Science Filmfestival! 👌 Two of our own experts enthusiastically joined the panel following the viewing of a documentary on the San Diego Zoo’s Frozen Zoo. Curious? Read more at https://t.co/qtNDGfyXpf https://t.co/q5zcNnPyXG
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ZOO Science (English)
Fascinating news for science lovers! 📚 EAZA has launched a brand-new digital library in which all academic publications about and by zoos and aquariums can be found. You too can consult these documents! Read more about this ambitious project! https://t.co/FIMolZK9Rc