Münchener Tierpark Hellabrunn : Hellabrunn Zoo supports Deutsche Bahn in training sniffer dogs for species conservation

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Copyright: Tierpark Hellabrunn / Birgit Ernst

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Copyright: Tierpark Hellabrunn / Gemma Borrell

With great dedication, the keepers in charge of the outdoor terrariums at Hellabrunn collected the droppings, skin and eggshells of the zoo's sand lizards for Deutsche Bahn. This work was conducted as part of the zoo's measures to support Deutsche Bahn in the training of sniffer dogs, which are being taught to detect the habitats of native protected species. By detecting the locations of lizards, smooth snakes and bats with the help of the dogs, these species can be better protected when planning routes. It will also allow Deutsche Bahn to realise construction projects more quickly in future.

"We are delighted to support this project, especially as it is about species and nature conservation of the local biodiversity, which after all is one of the main objectives of a modern zoo," says Lena Bockreiß, curator for reptiles at Hellabrun Zoo. "The population of sand lizards continues to decline."

Sand lizards are relatively adaptable reptiles that hardly make any demands on their respective habitat. Approximately 18 to 20 cm long, the reptiles occur on the edges of forests and fields as well as in other diverse areas, and are native to all German federal states. Despite strict protective measures and being listed in the EU Habitats Directive, the population of the sand lizard is at risk.

Sand lizards have lived in the outdoor terrarium in the zoo's Mühlendorf village since 2018. Three years after moving in, the sand lizards have successfully reproduced offspring. But the reptiles are not only to be found in the outdoor terrarium; wild sand lizards can also be spotted all around the zoo.

"It is always exciting to see how much more there is to our zoo than just experiencing a wide range of animal species. It makes me proud that Hellabrunn is committed to nature and species conservation, both nationally and internationally, and is happy to join forces with players from entirely different sectors," says Rasem Baban, zoological director of Hellabrunn Zoo.