Austrian Zoo Organization
The Austrian Zoo organization, OZO is the union of the Austrian, scientifically managed zoos, which according to the international guidelines of the EAZA ( European Association of Zoos and Aquaria ) are performed.
In addition to the founding members of the Alpine Zoo Innsbruck, Salzburg Zoo, Tiergarten Schönbrunn and the animal and nature park Herberstein can find today the zoo Schmiding, the house of the sea in Vienna and Linz Zoo in this union.
Objectives and tasks
The organization has set itself the following objectives
- Awareness and support for concerns of animal species and nature protection
- Participation in Arterhaltungs and conservation projects
- Participation in research activities for the conservation of biodiversity.
- Training of professionals in Zoobereich.
- Assist the authorities
The aim of this organization is the implementation of the EU Zoo Directive in Austria, in order to ensure the protection of wild animals and the conservation of biological diversity through measures for licensing and inspection of zoos, and around this way the role of zoos in the conservation of biological to reinforce diversity. The Board dealt intensively with the EU Zoo Directive and written standards for their meaningful implementation.
Member zoos in the OZO meet the following criteria:
- High quality in animal husbandry
- Participation in Arterhaltungs and conservation projects
- Participation in research activities for the conservation of biodiversity
- Information of the zoo visitors about the importance of biodiversity conservation
Projects
Currently, the OZO is involved in the following projects:
The bearded vulture ( Gypaetus barbatus) was exterminated in the 19th century in the Alps. Since 1986, a total of 120 bearded vultures from Zoobeständen to 5 places could be released. By 2003, 13 animals were bred in the wild. The growing bearded vulture population is under intensive monitoring to protect them from interference and to explore their behavior. In addition, continue to regularly juveniles are released.
- Przewalski's Horse
Mid-1960s, the Przewalski horse (Equus przewalski ) was eradicated in the wild. Only by breeding in zoos the ordinary form of our domestic horse could survive. Since 1997, 5 -bred herds of wild horses in zoos were released back into the wild in the Gobi B National Park. The long term goal is an independent of human assistance inventory of wild horses in the National Park Gobi B.
- Tiger
Of the eight tiger subspecies, three have already become extinct, the other five subspecies are endangered due to habitat destruction and poaching. The organization 21st Century Tiger, supported by European zoos attention to the situation of the tiger and raises money for the implementation of several tiger conservation projects. So, for example, should Units for the early detection and control of forest fires or patrols to combat poaching financed.