Leibniz-IZW lynx research project receives award from the UN Decade of Biodiversity
The "German Conservation Research Project – Iberian Lynx" of the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) was awarded the prize of being an official project of the UN Decade of Biodiversity. Prof Christine Wrenzycki (University of Gießen) presented the award. Wrenzycki is deputy chairperson of the scientific advisory board of the Leibniz-IZW. The award is given to exemplary projects that are particularly committed to the conservation of biological diversity.
The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus; Temminck 1827), a predator specialising on wild rabbits, is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. In 2002, as the world population was about to drop below 100 individuals, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified the species as critically endangered on the „Red List of Threatened Species”. The Iberian lynx was then officially considered the most endangered feline species worldwide. In order to advance their conservation, an integrated species conservation plan was established, which combined several conservation measures in the field with a captive breeding programme. Animals born in the breeding programme are released into the wild to augment the wild population in several regions of Spain and Portugal. In the past 15 years, 300 of the 400 individuals bred in captivity have already been successfully released. The free-ranging population is currently estimated at almost 700 individuals, almost seven times larger than at the beginning of the integrated programme. Its conservation status has recently been downgraded by IUCN to "endangered" - a rare event for the “Red List of Threatened Species” and good news for wildlife biodiversity on the Iberian Peninsula. Since 2005, scientists of the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research are partners of the Iberian Lynx Ex situ Conservation Programme, which coordinates the breeding and release of the animals.
"Our research on reproductive biology and assisted reproduction in lynxes particularly supported the Iberian lynx, but goes beyond that - the results are also of great benefit to the care and protection of the Eurasian lynx in Germany and central Europe", explains Prof Katarina Jewgenow, head of the Department of Reproductive Biology at the Leibniz-IZW. The Leibniz-IZW scientists regularly examined the reproductive health of animals in captivity, which led to the discovery of the special reproduction biology of lynxes. In addition, they established a procedure for reliable pregnancy diagnosis, assessment of stress by non-invasive monitoring of hormones in faeces and hair, and sex determination using sex hormones deposited in hair. “For the long-term conservation of all lynx species, our research team established procedures for assisted reproduction, such as sperm and embryo preservation in liquid nitrogen and methods of artificial insemination. The knowledge gained through the work with the Iberian lynx has been applied not only to the Eurasian lynx but has also been extended to other endangered feline species” emphasises Dr Frank Göritz, Head Veterinarian at the Leibniz-IZW and a member of the Department Reproduction Management. In addition to its reproduction biology, the Leibniz-IZW also investigates ecological, immunological and genetic aspects of the Eurasian lynx in order to support the re-establishment of these charismatic cats in Germany and Central Europe.
This project is a clear sign of Germany's commitment to the conservation of biological diversity. The Leibniz-IZWs’ research activities on the lynx left a lasting impression on the expert jury of the UN Decade award. Besides the official certificate and an award plate, the Leibniz-IZW received a "diversity tree" symbolising natural diversity. From now on, the project is presented on the UN Decade website in Germany at www.undekade-biologischevielfalt.de.
To counteract the global decline of biological diversity (abbreviated as biodiversity), the United Nations have declared the period from 2011 to 2020 to be the UN Decade of Biodiversity. A broad awareness in our society for the great value of biodiversity is an important prerequisite. By awarding prizes to exemplary projects, the UN Decade of Biodiversity in Germany draws attention to the value of biological diversity and the opportunities it offers. At the same time, these model projects show what concrete measures for the conservation of biodiversity, its sustainable use and the communication of its value can look like in practice.
An independent expert jury, including representatives from several groups in society, decides which projects receive an award. The UN Decade expert jury meets twice a year. The competition is now closed. Information on the UN Decade is available online at www.undekade-biologischevielfalt.de.
The term biodiversity encompasses the diversity of animal and plant species as well as the variety of microorganisms and fungi. It also includes the genetic diversity within species, classified in plants often as varieties and in animals as breeds. Different habitats and complex ecological interactions are also part of biological diversity. Biodiversity is a prerequisite for the functioning of ecosystems, with their numerous ecosystem services that are essential for humans.
Contact
Prof Dr Katarina Jewgenow (Head of Department Reproduction Biology)
Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)
Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17
10315 Berlin
Germany
Tel: +49 (0)30 51 68 611
E-Mail: jewgenow@izw-berlin.de
Dr Frank Göritz (Leibniz-IZW Head Veterinarian, Department Reproduction Management)
Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)
Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17
10315 Berlin
Germany
Tel: +49 (0)30 51 68 444
E-Mail: goeritz@izw-berlin.de
Steven Seet (Head of Public Relations)
Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)
Tel: +40 (0)30 51 68 124
E-Mail: seet@izw-berlin.de
Head Office UN-Dekade Biologische VielfaltArno Todt (Head of Project)
c/o nova-Institut GmbH
Industriestraße 300
Gebäude 611
50354 Hürth
Germany
Tel: +49 (0)2233-481463
E-Mail: geschaeftsstelle@undekade-biologischevielfalt.de
www.undekade-biologischevielfalt.de
Wissenschaftlicher Ansprechpartner:
Prof Dr Katarina Jewgenow (Head of Department Reproduction Biology)
Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)
Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17
10315 Berlin
Germany
Tel: +49 (0)30 51 68 611
E-Mail: jewgenow@izw-berlin.de
Dr Frank Göritz (Leibniz-IZW Head Veterinarian, Department Reproduction Management)
Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)
Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17
10315 Berlin
Germany
Tel: +49 (0)30 51 68 444
E-Mail: goeritz@izw-berlin.de
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