De Zegge, located in Geel and the oldest nature reserve in Flanders, is installing a ‘water treatment station’ that is based on plants. ‘In times of drought, water must be guided into the low-lying peatland to keep the soil moist enough to sustain its soil organisms and flora, as well as to maintain, the natural functions of the ecosystem, such as CO2 capture.
In 2018, the elephant calf Qiyo from ZOO Planckendael unexpectedly died from the effects of the elephant herpes virus. This loss deeply affected both the zoo and its visitors, and it marked the start of a large-scale fundraising effort that enabled further research into the deadly virus. Time for an update!
The science division of Antwerp ZOO is conducting research into the emission of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane gas, in the De Zegge nature reserve in Geel, Belgium. ‘Not only is De Zegge the oldest nature reserve in Flanders, but it is also one of the few places in our country where large amounts of living peat can still be found in the soil. Peatlands are a perfect – both active and passive – storage facility for CO2.
A healthy diet is of tremendous importance to both humans and animals. Nutritionists and other specialists are gaining increasingly more knowledge about nutrition and its effects on our bodies. The past few decades were marked by a growing understanding among the scientific community that an animal’s diet should not only provide for its nutritional needs, but should also stimulate its natural behaviour.
Our scientists can justly be proud of themselves: their research was highly acclaimed at the Wildlife Research and Conservation (WRC) 2023 conference in Berlin. The scientifically founded infographic by master’s degree student João Pedro Meireles on aggressive behaviour among male okapis during mating introductions won first prize in the poster competition. Through this poster, he is putting the expertise of Antwerp ZOO in the spotlights in a visually attractive manner.
Antwerp ZOO’s smallest okapi is once again putting his best foot forward after a serious knee operation. The operation was an absolute first, as this surgical procedure has never been applied to an okapi before. The animal suffered from knee problems ever since it was born, which would have a negative impact on its mobility and general quality of life in the long term.
The aviary of the future is located in the very heart of the City of Antwerp, at the edge of Antwerp ZOO. ‘We have 23 species of birds flying about in our Savannah Aviary, all of whom we can check up on individually due to our recall training,’ explains Jan Dams, Curator of Birds and Animal Care Coordinator. Thanks to months of training and the expertise built up by the zookeepers, each species now recognises a specific signal that prompts it to spread its wings and fly straight to its carers.
It’s finally raining in Kenya! This is excellent news for the Grevy’s zebras in that area after over 22 months of waiting. The area has been affected by an unforeseen and above all unprecedented drought that lasted from November 2022 to the end of March 2023. Thanks to financial support offered by Antwerp ZOO and Planckendael ZOO – and the rain! – the Grevy’s zebra populations here have now been saved from a horrible fate.
It is, of course, something completely different. Our scientists often venture beyond their familiar laboratories and typical zoo environments, but they seldom put themselves in the spotlights at an international film festival. In the Dutch city of Nijmegen, two of our experts enthusiastically joined the panel discussion following the viewing of a documentary on the San Diego Zoo’s Frozen Zoo.
African penguins in Cape Town, South Africa will be able to spread their wings again in freedom in their natural habitat. A severe outbreak of Avian Influenza had put serious pressure on both the animal population in this region and the Seabird Rescue Centre of SANCCOB (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds). Thanks to financial support from Antwerp ZOO and other helpers, the birds can now be released into the wild again.
The European Association for Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) and the Verband der Zoologischen Gärten (VdZ) proudly announce the opening of a brand-new international digital library. The ambitious project has been given the name ‘Zoo Science Library’ and will contain academic publications from all over the world. Every research project in this e-library was conducted with the involvement of a modern zoo. Our own Centre for Research and Conservation (CRC) has also contributed to this unique project.
Chimpanzees have political work on their agendas day in and day out. Making coalitions, networking and monitoring the others' behavior: it is crucial that these great apes can focus on those tasks. ZOO Antwerp explains why great apes should be able to focus on their own society.