On Friday, the State Zoo Association in Rostock meets for its annual conference. Association leader Tim Schikora wants to push new projects together with the state government. For example photovoltaic systems.
Rostock (dpa/mv) - The zoos, aquariums and animal gardens in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania also want to address the issues of climate change and the impending energy crisis: "It is our fundamental aim to position ourselves ecologically sustainable," said the chairman of the state zoo association, Tim Schikora, on Thursday upon request. On Friday, the association meets in Rostock for its annual conference.
Schikora, director and managing director of the Zoological Garden in Schwerin, hopes that new opportunities and funding projects can be found together with the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. He cited photovoltaic systems as an example: "We have large areas in the zoos, but the budget doesn't have the money." In general, the zoos could be places where new technologies could be tried out.
Other areas to keep the ecological footprint small are environmental education, building materials that are used, and increasing regionality in the zoo shops and restaurants in the facilities. Schikora: "We are multipliers and we have a role model." The animal parks in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania should be "inspiring for the visitors".
According to the state zoo association, which was founded in 2007, 20 facilities are combined. Around three million people visit the facilities every year. The zoos cover an area of 520 hectares and participate in breeding programs for a total of 103 different animal species.
