ZOO LIFE Pollinators
Project Title:
LIFE24-NAT-IT-ZOO LIFE POLLINATORS
Zoos as local restoration and conservation hotspots in urban and peri-urban areas and citizen science ambassadors to reverse the decline of pollinators in anthropic spaces
Partners:
European Zoological Gardens: Immersive Parks (Zoom); Zagreb Zoo (HR); Copenhagen Zoo (DK); Oasis Wildlife Fuerteventura (ES); Nordens Ark (SE); Goteborg Zoo (SE); Debrecen Zoo (HU); Brasov Zoo (RO)
Universities: University of Turin (IT); University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture (HR)
Zoom Foundation (IT), Smart Revolution (IT)
Project collaborators
Butterfly Conservation Europe (NL); The Italian Lepidopterological Association (IT); Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (UK); Chekipa Foudation (ES)
Project Commencement Year: 2025
Status: Active
Species: Apoidea, Diptera, Lepidoptera
The project aims to halt the decline of pollinators in urban and peri-urban areas of the EU through an innovative approach. In these areas, habitat loss represents the greatest threat to pollinator conservation. For this reason, the project will exploit the untapped resources of city zoos, which manage large areas within urban spaces and have the capacity to reverse pollinator decline by addressing three dimensions of conservation: restoration of suitable habitat, pollinator breeding activities and public awareness raising. The project aims to transform 8 partner zoos into “conservation hubs” located in major European cities. This involves moving from a traditional ex-situ approach to conservation to an in-situ approach, with a focus on pollinators. For this reason, at least 926 ha will be restored in urban contexts, taking into account the needs of pollinators. In addition, green space management will be promoted to support existing pollinator populations and attract new ones from nearby areas, encouraging repopulation. In addition to habitat creation, specific protocols for pollinator reproduction will be developed to create case studies useful for conservation and education. Zoos will play a key role in raising awareness among the general public, local institutions and stakeholders. With the average attendance of the partner zoos, which attract up to 4 million visitors per year, and their links with local authorities and other zoos, the project will develop and share guidelines and best practices. This will encourage a wide uptake of the project activities across the EU.
The project is financed through the LIFE Program, an instrument of the European Union intended to finance activities in the field of environmental protection.
Total project value: EUR 5,408,361.01, of which 3,244,475.41% is co-financed by the European Union.
The project will be implemented until June 1, 2029.
The content of the publication is the sole responsibility of the Zagreb City Zoo.
The LIFE programme is the European Union’s financial instrument dedicated to the environment and climate action, active since 1992. It finances projects that promote nature conservation, sustainability, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and climate protection, contributing to the objectives of the European Green Deal and the 2030 Agenda. The programme is managed by the European Executive Agency for Climate, Infrastructure and Environment (CINEA) on behalf of the European Commission.