Animal welfare is our welfare
Serengeti-Park Department of Research SPDR
With an increased call for research at the Serengeti-Park Hodenhagen GmbH, the Serengeti-Park Department of Research (SPDR) was created in January 2018. The SPDR is committed to interdisciplinary approaches to biological, physiological, psychological and veterinary research. SPDR operates, supports and promotes scientific research projects that directly or indirectly serve the overall vision of the Serengeti-Park Hodenhagen GmbH and its mission to be innovative and goal oriented towards the future. The Serengeti-Park Hodenhagen GmbH is currently home to approximately 1500 animals from nearly 80 species. Many of these animals are endangered in the wild and are enrolled in captive breeding programs.
Objectives
By examining the influence that the external and internal environment has on the animals and on visitor awareness, we have defined our main objectives as follows:
Facilitating and initiating research projects that are vital to the conservation and welfare of animal species in our care, including those at risk of extinction in the wild and those that play an important role in the social structure and ecosystem.
Increasing support and promotion for research projects involving domestic and endangered species through financial means and shared basic scientific knowledge stemming from published and unpublished reports.
Encouraging cooperation with Universities and Institutes with the goal of creating a network of research and conservation efforts.
Improving public attitudes towards animals and conservation, as visitors may leave each visit more committed to the protection of nature.
SPDR, through scientific research projects, has the priority to ensure the animal welfare of the Serengeti-Park’s animal collection by working closely with administrative staff, veterinarians, biologists, zoologists and animal keepers.
This knowledge can ultimately be used towards the conservation of species biodiversity, and in decision-making that directly impacts the management of animals in our care, which can create a legacy in the years to come.
Research Project Areas
Stress management
Physiology & endocrine response
Cognitive research
Enrichment & training
Population biology
Reproduction & genetics
Ecology & nutrition
Behavior typical of the species
Social learning & social structure
Parasitology
Parasite-host interactions
Social science
Conservation physiology &
Conservation psychology
In addition to the observational data, non-invasive samples from the wildlife stock at the Serengeti-Park, can be made available to the research following compliance with Germany and EU legal requirements, veterinary regulations, and adherence to the ethics and principles of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA).
(full report upon request)
We encourage cooperation with Universities and Institutes for a wide range of research topics, as we provide a unique opportunity to assess and monitor species and their biology that may not be possible to do in the wild. Ex situ projects (outside the natural habitat) are aimed at developing informative data for the management of captive animal populations, focusing mainly on issues of conservation, education, welfare and husbandry. These can be implemented through bachelor, masters and doctoral thesis and degrees.
As the SPDR further develops, we aim to engage in in situ (within the natural habitat) research projects that will promote and/or support shared scientific knowledge about the coexistence between people and wildlife, species’ biodiversity and sustainability, and environmental influences.
For on-site projects requiring biological samples and other types of data, please complete the Biological Samples Request Form and the Research Proposal Form.
Our research center informs park-guests about the results of our projects
International Meeting on Zoo Research, Conservation and Biodiversity
The yearly conference, “International Meeting on Zoo Research, Conservation and Biodiversity”, was formed to provide a platform for scientists, academia, zoo researchers and all persons interested to discuss and exchange information on new science-based innovations and research topics that will offer perspectives and future-oriented solutions to biodiversity changes, while also addressing environmental sustainability.
Our next year’s conference is planned for the 3rd to 6th of April 2024. For more information, please visit the conference website.
Download Post-Conference Reports
Support
To finance its research, the SPDR largely depends on internal funding from the Serengeti-Park Hodenhagen GmbH, and on company sponsors.
If you are interested in collaborating on a project with the Serengeti-Park Department of Research or in providing support for our research projects, please contact us.
Contact
Chief of Department of Research
EAZA Research Committee Core Member
Serengeti-Park
Department of Research (SPDR)
Tel.: +49 (0) 5164 / 9799 – 444
Email: i.azogu@serengeti-park.de