Farewell to the Leipzig Zoo: Junhold hands over to the new president!

Farewell to the Leipzig Zoo: Junhold hands over to the new president!

Leipzig, Deutschland - On June 22, 2025, it was the day of farewell: Prof. Dr. After six years, Jörg Junhold laid his presidium at the Association of Zoological Gardens (VDZ). He handed over responsibility to Dr. Dag Encke, the director of the Nuremberg zoo. Junhold's term was anything but a walk, peppered with challenges such as Corona pandemic and the far-reaching effects of the Ukraine war. With great commitment, he has strengthened the important role of the VDZ as a service center for over 70 member facilities and significantly increased visibility in the political landscape of Berlin. Zoo Leipzig reports that Junhold also reformed the VDZ-Nahe-Nahe-Nahe-Nahe-Nahnfungs Foundation Species Protection .

His foam points always aimed at sustainable optimization of the association work. These include new working structures for species protection, research and public relations. Junhold initiated a public zoo and wildlife forum that was called to life at the annual association meeting and gave the industry a voice while the doors of the zoos were closed. At the annual conference, further priorities such as the reinforcement of public visibility, more training opportunities and the expansion of social acceptance were determined. Despite his resignation, he remains on the VDZ board for the next three years and was elected treasurer of the European Zoo Association EAZA.

reinforcement for nature and species protection

In the world of nature and species protection, there is a lot of exciting news. A remarkable project is the planned "Frankfurt Conservation Center" (FCC), which is to be built on the site of the Frankfurt Zoo. The magistrate has already given the construction of the green light. The aim of this initiative, which goes back to November 13, 2020, is international nature and species protection, which significantly improves the future viability of the zoo. The FCC is built at the east entrance to the zoo and replaces older buildings. Dr. Ina Hartwig, Head of Culture and Science, has started the project. Zoo Frankfurt reports that the project part of an ambitious three-paired plans Is , which also includes the establishment of a children's and youth theater as well as comprehensive zoo development as part of Zookunft2030+

The FCC will promote cooperation between nature conservation, practice and science actors and is intended to develop options for combating the dramatic decline in biodiversity. Partners such as the Zoological Society Frankfurt (ZGF), the Senckenberg Society for Natural Research and the Goethe University will cooperate closely. With costs of 20 to 22 million euros, about half of which is borne by ZGF and partners, it can be seen that serious investments are made in the future.

key rolls of the zoos in species protection

zoos play a crucial role in the field of nature conservation. The IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) emphasizes how important botanical gardens, aquariums and zoos are for the preservation of wild animals, plants and fungi. They serve as an interface between ex-sit and in-situ conservation and are involved in areas such as applied genetics, behavioral research, veterinary medicine and education. vdz.de notes that the SSC calls for a greater participation of the public in these tasks and the actors for active cooperation calls up. This commitment is also evident in the development of strategies to protect biodiversity and in access to nature experiences for society.

With personalities such as Junhold at the top and projects such as the FCC in Frankfurt, the Association of Zoological Gardens is committed to ensuring that nature conservation is not only becoming important in specialist circles, but also among the general public. The commitment and partnerships in this area promise exciting progress on the way to protect our valuable flora and fauna.