Germany: „Red List Center“ at Zoo Schwerin Educates About Endangered Species

The “Red List” from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) provides information on the threat to specific species in their natural habitat. The list contains an index table with nine different threat categories. In an effort to draw attention to the list and especially the endangered species on it, Zoo Schwerin in Germany’s Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region has opened the “Red List Center”. The center houses and provides information on species contained in seven of the nine threat categories.

The highlight of the new area is the 3,000 square meter Asiatic lion habitat, providing spacious indoor and outdoor areas for the lions. The design of the facility places a special focus on the implementation of “Behavioral Enrichment Elements” accommodating the natural activity needs of the lions. These features include things like places for sand bathing, a warming stone and a variety of scratching and climbing elements.

The design and execution planning was conducted by the dan pearlman Erlebnisarchitektur firm. Another special feature of the enclosure is that it was fitted with large non-reflective panorama windows so that visitors have the best possible view of the animals. Another window allows guests to observe the caretakers working in the feed kitchen.

The Red List Center focuses above all on providing comprehensive information on the endangered species and on the conservation of nature and animal life. Displays and interactive screens inform visitors in greater detail about the causes associated with habitat loss. (eap)