Animals & science
Stories
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The Art of Casting a Gorilla
In the space of just one year, three animals in the Antwerp ZOO gorilla group needed casts to treat their injuries. What initially appeared to be a coincidence gave veterinarian Jonas Spruyt and his team valuable practical experience in veterinary medicine, behaviour and group dynamics. This experience ultimately led to a unique solution for treating injuries in gorillas.
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What Our Researchers Discovered This Year – and What They're Dreaming of Next
Science never stands still in our parks. Every day, researchers, keepers, vets and curators deepen their understanding of the animals we take care of and protect – both here and in their natural habitats. It’s time to reflect on a year of findings that truly impact animal welfare, conservation and species management. And, as always, our scientists are already looking forward, because there are still so many questions waiting for answers.
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How to Re-home an Elephant?
In autumn 2025, Planckendael ZOO became home to a new bull elephant. Upali’s arrival was crucial to the European species conservation programme that safeguards the genetic diversity of this endangered species. However, introducing a new bull to an existing herd is rarely straightforward, especially if you’re dealing with a species that literally weighs tonnes and has an exceptionally complex social structure.
Upcoming events
7th European Conservation Genetics meeting
The conference will bring together students, researchers and stakeholders to share insights, exchange knowledge, and foster collaborations in the field of conservation genetics and genomics.
Blog
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Shade trees, wild animals and farmers: can cocoa cultivation be good for people and nature?
Cocoa, the ingredient of chocolate, grows in tropical regions where forests are under pressure. Tropical agriculture is often associated with deforestation and the loss of biodiversity. At the same time, millions of small-scale farmers depend on it for their livelihoods. Is there a way to grow cocoa more sustainably?
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The “peaceful bonobo” myth may be somewhat overstated
For decades, the story has been that chimpanzees are a violent species while bonobos have earned a reputation as the peaceful ape. This contrast has been so influential that scientists use it to think about the origins of human nature itself. If chimpanzees represent the aggressive side of our evolutionary heritage, perhaps bonobos show an alternative path, one where cooperation and tolerance took the lead. But new research suggests the reality may be more complicated.
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Lucky in love, across species boundaries?
I'm a hybrid, you're a hybrid, ... We're all hybrids. No plug-in hybrids but crossbreeds between species. After all, thousands of years ago, our ancestors reproduced with Neanderthals. The result is that our genome still contains 1 to 2% Neanderthal DNA. Hybridisation does not always have to be disadvantageous but it can have benefits too.