Association of Zoological Gardens (VdZ) with New Board
Der neue VdZ-Vorstand (v.r.n.l.): Dr. André Stadler (Direktor Alpenzoos Innsbruck, Österreich), Dr. Uta Westerhüs (Stellv. Direktorin Opel-Zoo Kronberg), Dr. Dennis Müller (Direktor Bergzoo Halle), Dr. Dag Encke (Direktor Tiergarten Nürnberg), Dr. Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck (Direktor Tiergarten Schönbrunn, Wien, Österreich), Dr. Karin Federer (Direktorin Walter Zoo Gossau, Schweiz), Dr. Tim Schikora (Direktor Zoo Schwerin), Prof. Dr. Jörg Junhold (Direktor Zoo Leipzig), Andreas Casdorff (Geschäftsführer Erlebnis-Zoo Hannover).
© Frederic Schweizer
(eap) At its annual meeting in Berlin, the Association of Zoological Gardens (German: Verband der Zoologischen Gärten / VdZ) elected a new president and reorganized its board. The members voted unanimously for Dr. Dag Encke, Director of the Nuremberg Zoo, to lead the Association in the future.
Dr. Encke, who holds a doctorate in biology, has already served as Vice President on the Executive Board for six years and intends to engage in even more intensive dialogue with politicians and society in future. In an initial statement, Encke emphasized: “Zoos are the biggest source of social friction for all topics relating to wild animals and the treatment of animals by humans. We must see the resulting social debates and discussions as a great opportunity to use our objectivity and professional expertise to help shape decisions on species and nature conservation. The relevance of zoos is based on their internationally coordinated cooperation, which is currently saving almost 200 animal species from extinction in European zoos. This key position in species conservation represents a great responsibility.”
Since 2005, Dag Encke has been the director of Nuremberg Zoo, where the dolphin lagoon, the manatee house, an accessible bearded vulture aviary and the “climate forest trail” were created under his responsibility. He is also a board member of the Stiftung Artenschutz foundation and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Leibnitz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Berlin and the corresponding committee at Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna.
The previous President, Prof. Dr. Jörg Junhold, Director of Leipzig Zoo, will remain associated with the VdZ as Past President. He expressed his appreciation of his successor: “Dag Encke is a colleague I hold in high esteem. He impresses with his high level of expertise, ability to work in a team, philosophical understanding and his ability to communicate complex issues in an understandable way. I am convinced that the VdZ will continue to develop successfully under his leadership as a competence center for wildlife conservation, environmental education and international species protection.”
Dr. Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck, Director of Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna, was elected Vice President. Dr. Tim Schikora (Schwerin Zoo) was confirmed as Treasurer. Dr. Dennis Müller (Bergzoo Halle) was newly elected to the board, replacing Prof. Theo Pagel (Cologne Zoo) for reasons of age. Dr. Uta Westerhüs (Opel-Zoo Kronberg), Dr. Karin Federer (Walter Zoo Gossau, Switzerland), Dr. André Stadler (Alpenzoo Innsbruck) and Andreas Casdorff (Hannover Adventure Zoo) complete the board for a further term.
With over 42 million visitors a year in 71 member institutions (in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Spain), the VdZ is one of the most important associations of scientifically managed zoological gardens in Europe. ■
