The annual conference of the Association of Zoological Gardens (VdZ) took place in Berlin from 18 to 20 June 2025. Part of the event was the Zoo and Wildlife Forum 2025 on Thursday, 19 June, at the Palace Hotel in Berlin. Under the motto ‘Committed to the national objective of species conservation’, experts from science, politics and practice came together to discuss the challenges and opportunities of species conservation worldwide. The focus was particularly on the contribution made by the zoo community.
A highlight: the panel discussion on the relationship between humans and animals in science and society. Two chairmen of our shareholder Frogs & Friends were present: Prof. Dr Fabian Leendertz (Head of the Ecology and Development of Zoonoses research group at the Hemholtz Institute in Greifswald) spoke about the importance of the One Health perspective and the close links between human and animal health. Saskia Kress (Managing Director of the Interactive Media Foundation and Filmtank GmbH Berlin, and also Deputy Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board at CC) contributed her expertise from communications work and emphasised the central role of public communication when it comes to getting people excited about species conservation. Dr Dag Encke, Director of the Nuremberg Zoo and a member of the Executive Committee of our host partner VdZ, also took part in the discussion, as did Prof. Dr Daniel Haun (Director at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig), who spoke from a behavioural biology perspective. Renowned moderator and biologist Lothar Frenz led the discussion. The colourful mix of scientific expertise and practical experience made for an informative and inspiring exchange.
This is the perfect way to start the annual VdZ conference: with an icebreaker in front of the rhino pagoda at Berlin Zoo.
CC on tour! Almost the entire CC team was at the VdZ Wildlife Forum, here Tina Nagorzanski, Heiko Werning and Julia Bindl. Not in the picture, but still there: Kirsten Lenk and Björn Encke.
Outgoing VdZ President Prof Dr Jörg Junhold opens the Wildlife Forum, the topic of the conference: ‘Committed to the national objective of species conservation’.
Chairman of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Prof Dr Jon Paul Rodríguez with his input on future strategies for species conservation.
In her lecture, Prof Dr Aletta Bonn (University of Jena) explains why zoos make us happy – not that we didn't already know that anyway.
How is the relationship between humans and animals in science and society? Top-class panel discussion with CC Supervisory Board member Saskia Kress and Frogs & Friends Board member Prof Dr Fabian Leendertz, among others.
Volker Holmes, Managing Director of VdZ, at the annual report of the VdZ office.
Of course, CC is not missing with its own report, presented by Managing Director Björn Encke.
Other key topics at the forum included future strategies for global species conservation, national biodiversity strategies in international comparison and the role of modern zoos and animal parks in conserving biodiversity. It became clear from the presentations and discussions that effective species conservation can only be achieved through a joint and interdisciplinary approach. We were particularly pleased that several speakers emphasised the importance of citizen conservation, as we also involve committed citizens to save endangered species from extinction. Overall, the Zoo and Wildlife Forum offered the opportunity to gain valuable impetus and establish new networks.
At the actual annual meeting of the VdZ the following day, our Managing Director Björn Encke presented the most important current developments at CC. Our successes and the importance of cooperation between zoos and private animal keepers were also emphasised in the reports from the VdZ office and the outgoing VdZ President Jörg Junhold, Director of Leipzig Zoo.
The Encke brothers Björn and Dag on the after-show boat trip across the Spree. Congratulations were most certainly in order: Dag Encke, Director of Nuremberg Zoo, was appointed President at the VdZ conference.
We are delighted that the zoo community is increasingly emphasising the value of CC and is clearly stating the value of working together with private stakeholders in the face of the biodiversity crisis. Of course, numerous conversations and discussions were also held on the fringes of the conference, at the icebreaker evening at Berlin Zoo, on a joint evening boat trip through the city or during the nights in the hotel bar, in order to expand and deepen our network – because species conservation also thrives on the constant exchange of ideas between all those involved.