
It is widely accepted that zoos are an important source for research on animals, biodiversity and
conservation issues. Additionally, educational work at the institution
zoo have become a new subject of research in the past years. Our
department wants to integrate interdisciplinary objectives and fields of
research and introduce zoo biology-specific courses in the academic
education at the Goethe University in Frankfurt. Studies of zoo animal
behavior, mixed-species exhibits, chronobiology and environmental
enrichment are part of our work. Furthermore, educational research is
carried out on the evaluation of teaching concepts in zoos, visitor
studies and the efficiency of zoos in knowledge transfer and attitude
change regarding conservation learning. The foundation professorship
provides the possibility to establish a new line of research and
education in this field.