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Protecting and preserving species
You may have wondered what exactly the role of a zoo is and where the animals living in Eindhoven Zoo actually come from. This page will tell you all about it.
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The role of a zoo
Most of the animals you see in Eindhoven Zoo were born here or moved here from other zoos. There are therefore no animals taken from the wild and brought to Eindhoven Zoo. Many species in our park have the IUCN status of 'vulnerable' to 'critically endangered'. Protecting and preserving these species is one of the most important tasks of zoos. In cooperation with recognized European zoos, we carry out this task to the best of our ability. Through management programs, we work towards a healthy reserve population of species and, where possible, reintroduction to the wild as the ultimate goal. We also discover through research how to better protect wildlife.
It is important to know that accredited parks do not buy or sell animals. Animals are not the property of a park and exchange of animals takes place only in the interest of the species.
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Management programs (EEPs)
Did you know that more than 10.000 animal species are threatened with extinction? Eindhoven Zoo cooperates with about 350 European zoos to preserve and protect these species. Together we form the EAZA: the European Zoo Association. EAZA members work for more than 400 animal species cooperate with international management programs, also called EEPs. EEP stands for EAZA Ex situ Program where Ex Situ means "outside the natural habitat. In this video you can see an example of an EEP. We tell you all about the changes in the enclosure of the Indian rhinos where we hope to welcome young soon.
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EEPs at Eindhoven Zoo
Eindhoven Zoo is home to approximately 60 animal species, 24 of which are coordinated within an EEP. In each management program (EEP), a coordinator is in charge. This person keeps records of a particular species and manages the zoo population. At Eindhoven Zoo, the EEP of the Darwin's nandu is managed. Together with a committee, the coordinator gives advice on which animals are allowed to have offspring together, whether animals should move to other zoos for this purpose, and if so, to which ones.
The committee for an EEP consists of about 10 members. These include coordinators from other EEPs and a veterinarian. In this way a good decision is made together.
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How is the collection put together?
In Eindhoven Zoo you stand eye to eye with more than 60 animal species, all of which have been deliberately chosen. Eindhoven Zoo works with a collection plan. This document explains exactly which animal species the park would like to house and the reasons for this choice.
Some species are chosen on the basis of on the basis of an EEP, thus contributing to the protection and preservation of endangered species. The housing of a species is always done in always in consultation with the coordinator of the species in question. An educational role be a reason, to inform visitors about a species, its role in the ecosystem and the opportunities and threats for this species in the wild. Research is another reason for housing a species in Eindhoven Zoo.
Examples of species preservation
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Griffon vultures released
Eindhoven Zoo works together with Green Balkans and Stichting Wildlife on the reintroduction of the griffon vulture in Bulgaria. Several griffon vultures from our park have been released in Bulgaria.
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Chimpanzees born
In the summer of 2025, two West African chimpanzees were born in Eindhoven Zoo. This is good news because the species is seriously threatened in the wild.
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A new face
Rhinoceros Qabid has moved to our park from Edinburgh. His arrival is part of the EEP for Indian rhinos, which is working to maintain a healthy population in zoos.
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Fighting herpes virus
Two elephants have been vaccinated against the deadly herpes virus. The goal? To combat a virus that causes high mortality rates among young elephants worldwide.
Read more about births, reintroduction to the wild or protecting endangered species?
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With whom do we cooperate?
Eindhoven Zoo is a member of EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria). A park is admitted if it meets strict requirements for park education, research, EEPs and animal living conditions, among other things. About 350 European zoos are members of EAZA. The exchange of animals for an EEP basically takes place with one of the members.
In addition, we are members of the NVD (Nederlandse Vassociation of Dier gardens). We work together to protect and preserve wildlife, research to support this, and develop education that inspires visitors.
Membership in the NVD and/or EAZA can be seen as a seal of quality for zoos.
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