Stories

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1. 

   World Okapi Day 2025: In Search of New Conservation Prospects in Congo

   The okapi – a mysterious inhabitant of Congo’s forests – has been inextricably linked to Antwerp ZOO ever since 1919. Today this link remains as strong as ever. Together with its conservation branch, the Antwerp Zoo Foundation (AZF), Antwerp ZOO continues to fight for the survival of the okapi. Its efforts are now expanding to a new part of the okapi’s natural habitat: the Rubi-Télé region in Congo. A feasibility study is currently being carried out to explore how okapis in the wild can be better protected.

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2. 

   Conservation in the Himalayas

   A red panda at ZOO Planckendael has given birth to two cubs. That is great news for Europe’s breeding programme and a good opportunity to reflect on the lot of their wild cousins. Because while these births are promising for the survival of the species, the red panda remains under threat in its natural habitat.

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3. 

   Family secrets revealed: DNA analysis identifies the father of chimpanzee Zabari

   How do you work out who fathered a baby chimpanzee when there are five adult males in the group? And why does it matter? A single hair sample and DNA analysis not only establish paternity, but are also crucial for breeding policy, parentage studies and genetic management in the European breeding programme. Find out how genetic material is collected, analysed and interpreted at Antwerp ZOO.

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4. 

   A hat trick of hope: three rare merganser chicks on a mission

   Antwerp ZOO has successfully raised three Chinesemergansers. Breeding this striking and endangered duck species is rarely successful in European zoos, making this a truly exceptional achievement.

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5. 

   Support for mythic Przewalski’s horses endangered by floods in Kazakhstan

   After decades of preparation, Przewalski horses - the last remaining wild horses on Earth - are returning to their original habitat in central Kazakhstan where they had been extinct since the 1960s. That reintroduction was jeopardised this spring by unprecedented flooding: the Uly Zhylanshik river rose five metres due to sudden thawing, linked to climate change. The reintroduction centre was badly damaged, but the animals and their keepers remained unharmed.

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6. 

   Coral reefs in crisis:

   Global warming is putting pressure on our oceans, and with them everything that lives below their surface. Corals in particular: 8 out of 10 reefs worldwide have been affected by coral bleaching, due to rising water temperatures and water acidification. At ZOO Antwerp, we are actively building solutions: with one of the largest reef aquariums in Europe, we breed corals ourselves, share knowledge and support restoration projects in nature.

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7. 

   The extinct Vietnamese pheasant will fly home again

   The Vietnamese pheasant has not been spotted in its natural habitat since the beginning of this century, which is why Antwerp ZOO is taking action. Thanks to an international breeding programme and reintroduction project, this remarkable bird will soon have a new chance to thrive in the forests of its native Vietnam. Genetic research by our own scientists also revealed that one of the Vietnamese pheasant pairs bred at Antwerp ZOO is a perfect match for reintroduction into their native habitat in Vietnam.

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8. 

   Planckendael ZOO Helps Save Endangered Slender-Horned Gazelles in Tunisia

   Planckendael ZOO is offering the slender-horned gazelle, one of the most critically endangered gazelle species in the world, hope for a secure future. The ZOO has been supporting a vital breeding programme in Tunisia’s Sidi Toui National Park by providing financial aid, sharing its expertise in population management, and donating several of its own carefully bred and raised animals.

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9. 

   Hope for Elephant Calves: A Promising Vaccine Against Herpes

   The elephant herpesvirus (EEHV) poses a significant threat to young elephants worldwide, both in zoos and in the wild. Since the passing of young elephant Qiyo in 2018, ZOO Planckendael has been closely involved in the development of a vaccine. Thanks to blood samples and a contribution of €80,700, crucial scientific research has been conducted. The vaccine is now being tested for the first time on adult elephants.

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10. 

    In the hearts of tortoises

    Some very special patients on the examination table at Antwerp ZOO’s veterinary facility: three radiated tortoises recently underwent an echocardiographic examination. ‘These tests are crucial for drawing up reference values that will help us make a worldwide contribution towards improving the diagnosis and treatment of this species,’ explains veterinarian Jonas Spruyt.

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11. 

    Teamwork or egoism? Antwerp ZOO investigates collaborating meerkats

    ‘Are meerkats particularly skilled at cooperation?’ This question comprises the foundation of a new scientific study conducted at Antwerp ZOO. Researchers used a 3D printer to develop a special device to present the animals with a unique challenge. Can two meerkats cooperate successfully enough to secure a delicious treat for both of them? Or will they, driven by self-interest, end up empty-handed?

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12. 

    Antwerp ZOO en Planckendael ZOO save wildlife in Cameroon

    Scientists at Antwerp ZOO and Planckendael ZOO have succeeded in substantially curbing wildlife hunting in the Central African nation of Cameroon, particularly in regard of the chimpanzee and the western lowland gorilla. They persuaded families living near the Dja Faunal Reserve to stop hunting these animals for commercial purposes and switch to more sustainable, animal-friendly alternatives.

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