Zoo LIFE pollinators

Why Zoo LIFE pollinators?

Pollinators are a vital part of stable ecosystems, and 84% of Europe’s food production depends on them. However, pollinator populations have been declining for a long time, and the decrease in pollinating insects shows no signs of slowing down. Today, 9% of all wild bee species, 40% of hoverflies, and more than 480 butterfly species are at risk of disappearing. For this reason, Zoo LIFE Pollinators, an EU co-funded project, brings together 16 partners in 9 countries, including zoos, universities, and other collaborating organizations.

Knowledge

Enhance knowledge of native wild pollinators and insect-pollinated plants through standardized monitoring and research.

Habitat

Increase pollinator populations by creating functional habitats in and around zoos, such as meadows, green roofs, and flowering shrubs.

Stakeholder

Inspire other stakeholders, such as additional zoos, non-profit organizations, municipalities, and the general public, to take part in efforts to protect pollinator

Method development

Develop methods for rearing insects with the aim of reintroducing locally extinct or critically endangered species, thereby optimizing zoos’ contributions as conservation centers.

An innovative partnership

Within ZooLIFE Pollinators, eight European zoos collaborate in a large-scale initiative built on their unique strengths: extensive green spaces in urban-adjacent environments, high expertise in biology and conservation, and the ability to reach a wide audience through educational programs, campaigns, and citizen science.

Project numbers

breeding hubs in Europe

hectares involved in Europe

million citizens engaged through information and outreach initiatives

protected wild bee species

protected hoverfly species

protected butterfly specie

16 partners in 9 European Countries

Zoological facilities, universities, and institutions across Europe, united for biodiversity.

12 beneficiaries

Zoom Torino -Project leader

Project management & coordination / Communication & Stakeholder Egnagement

Nordens Ark -Project leader

Restoration and pollinator-specific initiatives

Copenhagen Zoo -Project leader

Conservation activities for pollinators

Zagreb Zoo -Project leader

Educational and citizen science activities

Unito DBIOS DISAFA -Project leader

Sustainability, replication and exploitation of project results

Smart Revolution -Project leader

Monitoring & Evaluation

Fondazione ZOOM

Environmental education, monitoring transect, stakeholder engagement

Slottsskogens Zoo

Habitat restoration, environmental education, monitoring transect

Brasov Zoo

Habitat restoration, environmental education, monitoring transect

Oasis wildlife

Research and cultivation of local botanic species, habitat restoration, environmental education, monitoring transect

Debrecen Zoo

Habitat restoration, environmental education, monitoring transect

UniZG - Agriculture

Expert partner in applied ecology and habitat management, monitoring transec

4 associated partners

Associazione Lepidotterologica Italiana

Chekipa Fundacion

Stichting Butterfly Conservation Europe

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland

Monitoring

Monitoring and evaluation are essential components of conservation work. To ensure high-quality, standardized monitoring, the project uses the Pollard transect method, an internationally recognized approach developed by the European Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (eBMS). Consistency in methodology across all project partners is supported by Butterfly Conservation Europe.

The method involves regularly counting insects along a fixed route during the summer, recording both the number of individuals and the species observed. In addition to tracking insect populations, ZooLIFE Pollinators also conducts vegetation studies to assess the effects of habitat restoration measures.