Many Partners - One Goal:
Survival in the 21st Century

Every year hundreds of animal species are exterminated world-wide through the destruction of their habitats and other human activities. The aim of the Species Conservation Foundation, founded in March 2001, is to preserve highly endangered animal species and their habitats, therefore making an important contribution to conserving biodiversity. The foundation focuses on animal species (and their natural environment) which, although under severe threat of global extinction pursuant to the “Red Data Book” of the World Conservation Union (IUCN), do not have a strong enough lobby for their conservation.

The Species Conservation Foundation achieves its goals through the joint initiative of currently 43 zoos and several nature conservation organisations, which provide public relations and financial support. International species conservation attains a new dimension through this concentration of specialists and funds. The work of the foundation and its partners and the sponsor commitment will be effectively communicated to over 20 million people every year.

The innovative aspect of the Species Conservation Foundation’s concept is the idea of winning businesses as exclusive sponsors for a certain animal species in addition to conventional canvassing for donations and sponsorship. Support from these businesses makes it possible to implement conservation measures conceived by specialists for the highly endangered species. In return the sponsors will appear as exclusive sponsors together with their species on the Foundation Info Boards in all participating zoos, a measure which also offers great publicity.


For example: Golden-headed Langur


The sad record for the currently most threatened primate species world-wide is held by the Golden-headed Langur (Cat Ba Langur) Trachypithecus poliocephalus.

The distributional range of the species, the Halong Bay in North Vietnam, was gazetted as a National Park in 1986. However, this didn’t prevent a further decline of the species, which occurred mainly due to poaching.

The conservation project for Golden-headed Langurs started in October 2002. Within the framework of the project further-reaching conservation measures are planned, including evacuation and translocation of langurs into a strictly protected area on Cat Ba.


For example: Visayan Wrinkled Hornbill


Only 30 breeding pairs of the Visayan Wrinkled Hornbill (Rufous-headed Hornbill) Aceros waldeni survive today.

Main mortality factor: the meat of the birds is a sought-after luxury snack in Philippine restaurants.

Our Program: Breeding of confiscated animals in a conservation station, consequent safeguarding of protected areas, and implementation of an environmental education programme.


For example: Annam Leaf Turtle


In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) special qualities are attributed to various animal species. These qualities are thought to be passed on to humans through consumption of the animals. Turtles’ high life expectancy means they are particularly prized by adherents of TCM.

Thus Chinese medicine became one of the main threats for South-East Asian turtles. One project of the Species Conservation Foundation involves observing and documenting the illegal trade in turtles in Vietnam, with a view to targeted reduction of this trade.