Research station
The zoo's new research station is located above the aquarium and next to the terrarium. Research and breeding, which used to take place mainly in the background, can now be seen and experienced by zoo visitors.
The zoo is pursuing a specific goal: Our research protects species, conserves nature and deepens our knowledge – both at the zoo and among our guests.
Video: Zoo Zurich, Nicole Schnyder, Samer Angelone
Insight thanks to six research rooms
Six research rooms provide insights and findings that were previously not possible at the zoo. Some of these rooms work like climate chambers: Temperature, humidity and lighting conditions are precisely controlled and documented. Nature is simulated 1:1, which enables optimum breeding conditions.
Visitors can watch highly endangered lizards, frogs, insects and fish mating and breeding. Screens also show them which research questions are of interest to the zoo. They learn how the zoo researches them and in cooperation with which research institutes – and of course why this work is important.
Research room 1
Research question: Which climate conditions encourage mating behaviours oft he Madagascan amphibians and reptiles?
Animals
- Blue-legged mantella (Mantella expectata, EN)
- Manapany day gecko (Phelsuma inexpectata, CR)
- Lothara's gecko (Paroedura lohatsara, CR)
Centre of attention in Research Room 1: the blue-legged mantella. Photo: Zoo Zurich, Nick Soland
Research Room 2
Research question: How does the poison dart frog care for its brood?
Animals
- Golden poison dart frog (Phyllobates terribilis, EN)
- Black-legged poison dart frog (Phyllobates bicolor, EN)
- Anchicayá poison dart frog (Oophaga anchicayensis, EN)
- Harlequin poison dart frog (Oophaga histrionica, CR)
An animal keeper handles a petri dish containing spawn of the golden poison dart frog. Photo: Zoo Zurich, Samer Angelone
Research Room 3
Research question: What technical know-how is being used to save the Demonic poison frog?
Animals
- Demonic poison frog (Minyobates steyermarki, CR)
- Rio Pescado stubfoot toad (Atelopus balios, CR)
Everything has to be right: The demonic poison frog only reproduces under very specific conditions. Photo: Citizen Conservation, Benny Trapp
Research Room 4
Research question: How does the leafcutter ant colony adapt to its environment?
Animals
- Leafcutter ant (Atta cephalotes, NE)
In research room 4, leafcutter ants transport plant material to their nest. Photo: Zoo Zurich, Samer Angelone
Research Room 5
Research question: What is the biology of the metallic stick insect?
Animals
- Metallic stick insect (Achrioptera manga NE)
- Giant millipede (Sechelleptus sp.NE)
An animal keeper examines a metallic stick insect in the research station. Photo: Zoo Zurich, Samer Angelone
Research Room 6
Research question: How can we prevent endangered Madagascan freshwater fish like the Mangarahara cichlid from dying out?
Animals
- Mangarahara cichlid (Ptychochromis insolitus CR)
- Marakeli cichlid (Paratilapia polleni VU)
- Pinstripe damba (Paretroplus menarambo CR)
- Madagascar rainbowfish (Bedotia madagascariensis EN)
- Pachypanchax varatraza (Pachypanchax varatraza EN)
- Sakaramy killifish (Pachypanchax sakaramyi EN)
An animal keeper prepares a sample to analyze the water quality. Photo: Zoo Zurich, Samer Angelone
Each research room also offers an interactive module. This invites young visitors in particular to explore and discover for themselves.
Focus on endangered species
Opposite the six research rooms, the zoo has created three new habitats on two levels. Endangered marmoset species have moved in there. They will later also be kept in the Pantanal aviary.
The spacious aviary in the entrance area of the new research station is home to eight species of birds, some of which are highly endangered, and the endangered Chinese stripe-necked turtle.
An animal keeper records a PH value measurement. Photo: Zoo Zurich, Samer Angelone
