Frankfurt Zoological Society

27/03/2026

🐴 Kasachstan beherbergt eines der letzten großen intakten Grasland-Ökosysteme der Erde.

Die Przewalski-Pferde gelten als die letzten Ur-Wildpferde und spielen als Schlüsselart eine zentrale Rolle in diesem Ökosystem. 🌾

Sie sind äußerst widerstandsfähig und halten Temperaturen von –40 bis +40 Grad Celsius aus. 😮✨

In den geschützten Gehegen bei Alibi in Zentralkasachstan werden die Tiere auf ihre Auswilderung vorbereitet, um unter diesen extremen Bedingungen überleben zu können. 🙌

Wir freuen uns sehr, dieses Naturschutzprojekt mit globaler Bedeutung unterstützen zu können. 🙏

27/03/2026

🗻 In the Ukrainian Carpathians, national parks are often seen as a problem.

Restrictions. Less logging. Fewer opportunities.

But that perception is slowly beginning to change:

We work with communities to show what these landscapes can offer - from small-scale tourism to local products like herbal teas, mushrooms, and other non-timber forest resources.

At the same time, protected areas are becoming safe environments where people from frontlines can come, breathe, and begin to heal.

Children visit the parks and experience these forests for the first time. We support the development of environmental education trails and eco-education activities that connect people to nature. Shepherds receive practical support, including equipment that improves their daily work.

Through small grants, we support local ideas - from sustainable tourism to projects that help preserve cultural traditions. Step by step, perceptions begin to change.

Because conservation only works when people see a future for themselves in it.

Франкфуртське зоологічне товариство в Україні // FZS Ukraine

25/03/2026

🐎 50 Stunden quer durch die Steppe, das Comeback der Wildpferde, der hohe Preis des Goldes und vieles mehr ……

Unsere neue GORILLA-Ausgabe 01/2026 "Wilde Steppe - Karge Schönheit voller Leben", nimmt euch mit in die Weiten Kasachstans: Wir begleiten Kulane auf einer 50-stündigen Reise mit dem Truck durch die Goldene Steppe, besuchen Flamingos in außergewöhnlichen Feuchtgebieten, entdecken ein Tulpenmeer und zeigen neue Wege zum Schutz der Saiga-Antilopen.

Außerdem: Geschichten aus Peru und Sambia - von Menschen, die sich für den Schutz einzigartiger Ökosysteme einsetzen, und von denen, die die Folgen eines tiefgreifenden Wandels unmittelbar erleben.

Diese Ausgabe ist eine Entdeckungsreise zu verborgenen Lebensräumen, einzigartigen Tierarten und den Verbindungen, die unser Leben mit dem anderer Arten verknüpfen.

Jetzt kostenlos lesen (PDF): https://fzs.org/de/aktuelles/gorilla-magazin-wilde-steppe-karge-schoenheit-voller-leben/

23/03/2026

Time to say goodbye. 👋

This year’s Frankfurt Spring School has officially come to an end - but what remains is far more than a few weeks of learning.

From the very beginning, the participants brought an incredible energy and motivation. Over the past weeks, they asked critical questions, explored new perspectives, and developed ideas together. What started as a group of individuals quickly became something more: a supportive, international learning community.

Across long days of discussions and shared work, connections grew. People showed up for each other, exchanged knowledge, challenged ideas, and celebrated progress together. And in between it all, there were many laughs, some moments outdoors, and shared passions - from conservation to birding.

What stands out most is the commitment. A shared belief that conservation is not just a field of study, but a long-term responsibility. The friendships built here, across countries and backgrounds, will carry that commitment forward.

A heartfelt thank you to all participants, partners, experts, and supporters who made this experience a truly special one. We remain excited to follow the paths ahead and stay connected as this journey continues.

While most participants are now on their way home, our 6 KfW Stiftung Fellows remain in Frankfurt, working on their project proposals. More insights coming soon!


Goethe-Universität Frankfurt | | | WWF Deutschland | Wildlife Conservation Society | Conservation International | KPMG Deutschland
BioFrankfurt | Metzler Stiftung

20/03/2026

🎊 Weekly Highlight No.4: Frankfurt Spring School

After a successful final exam, the participants entered the last phase of the program.

The past days were filled with interactive leadership training, a personal impression session, and two excursions: to the KfW headquarters and to Kellerwald-Edersee National Park. There, participants explored the challenges of managing a German national park and compared them with experiences from protected areas around the world.

With new perspectives, shared experiences, and plenty of insights gained, the program is now soon coming to a close.
Tonight, participants will receive their certificates and celebrate the journey they’ve taken together. 🎉

We congratulate our participants on their exceptional work. We are truly inspired by their enthusiasm and great teamwork!


Goethe-Universität Frankfurt | | | WWF Deutschland | Wildlife Conservation Society | Conservation International | KPMG Deutschland
BioFrankfurt | Metzler Stiftung

20/03/2026

In memory of Nelson Ole Kwai

We are deeply saddened by the sudden and unexpected loss of our colleague and friend, Nelson Ole Kuwai, Community Conservation Officer for the Serengeti Ecosystem Conservation Programme, who passed away on March 17, 2026.

The Serengeti has truly lost one of its greatest champions. Nelson didn’t just work in the Serengeti ecosystem, he belonged to it. Growing up in Ngorongoro and Serengeti, he developed a lifelong connection to the land. It inspired him to follow in the footsteps of his father – a pioneering conservationist and long-time senior manager with FZS’s Africa program – and dedicate his life to conservation. His knowledge of the Serengeti, its history, its people, and its wildlife was profound, and his commitment to fostering coexistence between communities and nature never wavered.

When he joined FZS in our Loliondo office, it was the realization of a lifelong dream – a full-circle moment that brought him immense pride and joy. In the midst of a complex conservation landscape, Nelson stood out as a trusted, compassionate, and respected voice, building bridges and strengthening partnerships with authenticity and care.

Nelson’s generosity, patience, and unfailing smile left a lasting impression on everyone he met. He was always attentive and genuinely supportive, making each person feel truly valued. He leaves an indelible impact on our team and the communities where he lived and worked.

Beyond his work, Nelson was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Our hearts are with his wife, his children, his grandchildren, and all who knew and loved him. Nelson’s passing is a profound loss, to his family, to the Serengeti, to our team, and to conservation as a whole.

It was an honour to walk this path with him. He will be deeply missed.

Pumzika kwa amani, Nelson.

18/03/2026

📺 Was ist eine Art? Wie schlimm ist das Artensterben? Wo liegen Hotspots der Biodiversität – und woher wissen wir das eigentlich?

Genau darum geht es in der ARD-Reihe „Planet Schule“ – und wir sind dabei.

Unser Kollege Dr. Manuel Engelbauer gibt Einblicke in die Arbeit der ZGF in den Regenwäldern Südamerikas. Gedreht wurde u.a. im Frankfurter Palmengarten, wo er erklärt, wie wir mit innovativen Methoden wie Umwelt-DNA Biodiversität besser erfassen und schützen können.

👉 Jetzt in der Mediathek anschauen:
https://www.planet-schule.de/schwerpunkt/woher-wissen-wir-das/hotspots-der-artenvielfalt-film-100.html

ARD Mediathek

Wie können wir Korallenriffe und Regenwälder bewahren? Der Erhalt dieser Ökosysteme ist nicht nur für die Artenvielfalt, sondern auch für unser globales Klima von entscheidender Bedeutung.

17/03/2026

🇻🇳 "Kon Ha Nung: Vietnam’s “roof of biodiversity”

Rising from around 500 to over 1,700 metres above sea level, the Kon Ha Nung Biosphere Reserve spans one of Vietnam’s steepest ecological gradients - where tropical lowland forests climb into cool, misty montane habitats within just a few hours’ walk.

Covering roughly 4,000 square kilometres in the Central Highlands, the reserve links two of the country’s most important protected areas: Kon Ka Kinh National Park and Kon Chu Rang Nature Reserve. Together, they safeguard forests so intact that newly recorded species are still being discovered, from rare orchids to elusive mammals.

The area is part of the Central Annamites, one of Southeast Asia’s last great biodiversity strongholds. It provides refuge for threatened species like the grey-shanked douc langur and northern yellow-cheeked crested gibbon, whose calls still echo through the forest at dawn.

But Kon Ha Nung is not just biologically rich, it is culturally alive. Indigenous communities such as the Bahnar have shaped this landscape for generations, maintaining forest knowledge, spiritual traditions and sustainable land-use practices that are now central to conservation efforts.

Recognised by UNESCO in 2021, the biosphere reserve is a model for balancing protection and development. From community-led forest management to nature-based tourism that keeps the forest standing.
Together with partners, FZS supports the protection of these forests, helping ensure that one of Vietnam’s most intact mountain ecosystems continues to thrive.

👉 Learn more about Kon Ha Nung:
https://fzs.org/en/news/a-new-phase-of-nature-conservation-for-our-project-in-vietnam/

13/03/2026

🎊 Weekly Highlight No. 3: Frankfurt Spring School

The Frankfurt Spring School program entered its third week, offering plenty of valuable insights and learning opportunities. Participants explored topics such as monitoring and evaluation, the challenges of conservation, and human-centred approaches. They also enjoyed an inspirational evening at the Conservation Café.

Questions were asked, discussions were lively, and project proposals continued to take shape, alongside many laughs and shared ideas.

With the final exam approaching, excitement is definitely building. We can’t wait to see the presentations that have been created through teamwork and dedication.


Goethe-Universität Frankfurt | | | WWF Deutschland | Wildlife Conservation Society | Conservation International | KPMG Deutschland
BioFrankfurt | Metzler Stiftung

11/03/2026

🌍 Guess the Location!

Where in the world was this photo taken?

Here are three clues:

Tip 1: This mountain landscape is home to some of Europe’s last remaining primeval and old-growth forests.

Tip 2: Its ecosystems provide vital services such as clean water, fresh air, and habitat for wildlife.

Tip 3: FZS and its partners are working here to strengthen protected areas and safeguard these forests. The last video we shared was filmed in this very landscape.

Do you know where this is? Comment below.

📷 Photo by Sergey Kantsyrenko

09/03/2026

🌿 Protecting forests and wetlands in Ukraine

Ukraine hosts some of Europe’s most remarkable natural landscapes: from the vast forests of the Carpathians to the wetlands of Polissia.

Frankfurt Zoological Society supports 20 protected areas across the country. In the Ukrainian Carpathians, Teams from FZS Ukraine work with partners in 12 protected areas, helping safeguard 95,000 hectares of old-growth forest, including 10,000 hectares of primeval beech forest, the largest in Europe and part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

Further north, in Polissia, we support 8 protected areas within one of Europe’s largest intact floodplains and a key spring hub for migratory birds.

This video offers a glimpse into these extraordinary landscapes and the conservation work taking place to protect them.

Get to know more about our work in Ukraine: https://fzs.org/en/programs/ukraine/

Франкфуртське зоологічне товариство в Україні // FZS Ukraine

06/03/2026

Emy die kleine Sumpfschildkröte schwimmt in einem Becken hinter den Kulissen des Zoo Frankfurt . Noch ist sie zu klein für das Leben draußen.

Doch ihre Geschichte führt weit hinaus – in Moore, Sümpfe und Auen. In , die zu den wichtigsten Ökosystemen der Erde gehören. Sie speichern Kohlenstoff, regulieren Wasser und sind Lebensraum für unzählige Arten.

Und trotzdem haben wir bereits mehr als die Hälfte dieser Lebensräume zerstört.

Warum eine kleine Schildkröte zum Botschafter für Feuchtgebiete wird – das hört ihr in der neuen Folge von „Hinter dem Zoo geht’s weiter“:
https://fzs.org/de/aktuelles/feuchtgebiete-unterschaetzte-superhelden-fuer-klima-und-biodiversitaet-82/