Leibniz-IZW condemns Russia's attack on Ukraine
The Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research strongly condemns Russia's attack on Ukraine. The Leibniz-IZW employs Ukrainian scientists, is very concerned about our scientific colleagues in Ukraine and will support scientists in Ukraine to the best of our ability.
The Leibniz-IZW is an internationally renowned German research institute. It is part of the Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. and a member of the Leibniz Association. Our goal is to understand the adaptability of wildlife in the context of global change and to contribute to the enhancement of the survival of viable wildlife populations. For this purpose, we investigate the diversity of life histories, the mechanisms of evolutionary adaptations and their limits, including diseases, as well as the interrelations of wildlife with their environment and people. We use expertise from biology and veterinary medicine in an interdisciplinary approach to conduct fundamental and applied research – from the molecular to the landscape level – in close dialogue with the public and stakeholders. Additionally, we are committed to unique and high-quality services for the scientific community.
+++ Current information on African swine fever: The Leibniz-IZW conducts research on the population dynamics, on models of disease outbreaks in wild boars and on the ecology and human-wildlife interaction in urban areas. African swine fever is a reportable disease in domestic swine and therefor is the purview of the respective federal state laboratories and the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (Federal Research Institute for Animal Health) FLI. +++
News

Bats versus wind turbines
Wind turbines are responsible for the death of numerous bats. In a recent study, scientists determined the origin of these animals: they do not only come from local areas but many had been already on a long migratory journey. Germany therefore bears responsibility not only for the protection of native bat populations, but also for the populations from other countries.

Lead in hunting bullets is dispensable – study proves suitability of alternatives
A new study concerning terminal ballistics of lead-containing and lead-free bullets shows that both materials are equally suitable for hunting in accordance with animal welfare. Lead-free bullets even leave smaller fragment clouds than leaded ones.
Read more … Lead in hunting bullets is dispensable – study proves suitability of alternatives

Synchronised imaging techniques - one more chance for rhinoceroses
A new imaging strategy of synchronising computed tomography with digital radiography helps to diagnose and initiate appropriate treatment of foot diseases in mega-vertebrates.
Read more … Synchronised imaging techniques - one more chance for rhinoceroses

Leibniz, Smithsonian, and Fordham University Scientists Use Extinct Species to Reclassify the World’s Remaining Two Species of Monk Seal
The recently extinct Caribbean monk seal (Monachus tropicalis) was one of three species of monk seal in the world. Its relationship to the Mediterranean and Hawaiian monk seals, both living but endangered, has never been fully understood. Through DNA analysis and skull comparisons, however, Leibniz scientists and colleagues have now clarified the Caribbean species’ place on the seal family tree and created a completely new genus. This is the first time in more than 140 years that a new genus has been recognized amongst modern pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, and walruses). The team’s findings are published in the scientific journal ZooKeys, May 14.

How the koala retrovirus genome evolved
Retroviruses invaded the genome of koalas with strongly pathological effects: the viruses weaken the immune defense and threaten the viability of the already reduced koala population. An international team of scientists from Europe and North America now applied the technique of hybridisation capture to analyse the entire genome of koala retroviruses and used museum samples to monitor its variation across 130 years. The findings were just published in the scientific online-journal PLOS ONE.

Skull malformations in lions: keeping up the pressure
An international team of researchers led by scientists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) Berlin examined the incidence of skull malformations in lions, a problem known to be responsible for causing neurological diseases and increased mortality. Their results suggest that the occurrence is a consequence of a combination of environmental and genetic factors. These findings were published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE.
Read more … Skull malformations in lions: keeping up the pressure

Indian rhinoceroses: Reproductive tract tumours reduce female infertility in early stages
Reproduction of the Indian rhinoceros faces greater difficulties than was previously recognised. Researchers from the German Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin (IZW) together with American colleagues discovered that benign vaginal and cervical tumours cause infertility even in young females. This substantially affects breeding success in zoological gardens.

The Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) was positively evaluated
The Senate of the Leibniz Association has published the results of the external scientific evaluation of the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, Germany. It commends the institute for its excellent work and recommends that the government should fund the institute for another seven years.
Read more … The Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) was positively evaluated
IZW in the media
07.05.2022 | The Atlantic
Where and when did humans domesticate horses?
26.04.2022 | nature
COVID is spreading in deer. What does that mean for the pandemic?
26.04.2022 | The East African
How spotted hyenas adjust foraging behavior to survive climate change
18.04.2022 | RTL News
Windkraft oder Artenschutz: Diese Maßnahmen plant die Bundesregierung
16.04.2022 | taz
Landflucht der Feldhasen
08.04.2022 | Vier Pfoten
Sieben Braunbären erfolgreich narkotisiert und behandelt
04.06.2021 | BBC News
How to protect birds and bats from wind turbines
02.06.2021 | Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Kontaktbörse am Katzenbaum - Die sozialen Netzwerke der Geparden
01.06.2021 | ZEIT Leo
Wer ist hier der Boss - Zwei Gepardenbrüder in Namibia
27.05.2021 | Pferde.de
Ob blond, ob braun – die Geschichte der Fellfarben beim Pferd
26.05.2021 | ServusTV
Cher und der Elefant
25.05.2021 | Der Tagesspiegel
In Brandenburg werden immer mehr Wölfe getötet
19.05.2021 | BILD
Eltern von Eisbärin Hertha sind Geschwister - Wie gefährlich ist Inzucht bei Tieren?
13.05.2021 | Berliner Zeitung
Wenn einer Braunbärin der Zahn gezogen wird
12.05.2021 | FOCUS
Tote Wölfin «Juli» wird untersucht
10.05.2021 | Bild der Wissenschaft
Magnetsinn im Fledermaus-Auge
07.05.2021 | Nature World News
Animals Can Survive Illnesses Caused by Climate Change Better than Humans?
07.05.2021 | APA Austria
Studie: Ein Drittel der Schüler weiß nicht was Zoonosen sind
06.05.2021 | Econoticias
Los murciélagos tienen un sexto sentido en las córneas
03.05.2021 | Der Tagesspiegel
Kinderwünsche und Umsiedelungen für Nashörner - Alternativen zum Aussterben
02.05.2021 | Spektrum der Wissenschaft
Artenschutz: Hunde haben die Nase vorn
30.04.2021 | Riffreporter
Schicksalsjahr für die Natur: Verhandlungen zu globalem Abkommen stecken fest
29.04.2021 | Der Tagesspiegel
Wie Pferde und Esel Wüsten beleben
28.04.2021 | FOCUS
Weiterer Schritt zur Rettung der Art
26.04.2021 | Bochumer Zeitung
Retroviren schreiben das Koala-Genom um und verursachen Krebs
19.04.2021 | ARD tagesschau24
WISSENSCHECK: Tierparks im Wandel
17.04.2021 | Spektrum der Wissenschaft
Artenschutz in Afrika - Stammtisch der Geparden
14.04.2021 | Greenpeace-Magazin
Dufte Katzenbars: Die Entdeckung von „Kommunikationshotspots“ könnte den Schutz der bedrohten Geparde voranbringen
07.04.2021 | Windkraft-Journal
Artenschutz an Windanlagen: Wie das akustische Monitoring zum Schutz der Biodiversität verbessert werden kann (und sollte)
05.04.2021 | ZDF Terra X
Die Sprache der Tiere
02.04.2021 | Berliner Zeitung
Berliner Forscher bitten zu Ostern zur Hasenjagd
02.04.2021 | Badische Zeitung
Dating in Hyänen-Kreisen: Was für ein Stress
31.03.2021 | Berlin.de
Hase oder doch Kaninchen? Berliner zum Zählen aufgerufen
31.03.2021 | Süddeutsche Zeitung
Hase oder doch Kaninchen? Berliner zum Zählen aufgerufen
30.03.2021 | NABU Berlin
Auch der Osterhase ist ein (Ost-)Berliner - Berliner*innen sollen Feldhasen-Sichtungen in der Stadt melden
30.03.2021 | Horizon Magazine
The curious case of northeast Brazil’s cross-breeding sea turtles
25.03.2021 | Deutschlandfunk Kultur
Genomatlas für Artenschutz: Gen-Entschlüsselung könnte Artenvielfalt bewahren
25.03.2021 | The Guardian
Researchers find the secret of the bunny hop: it's all in the genes
25.03.2021 | MDR
Chemie in Greifvögeln: Pflanzenschutzmittel, Nagetiergift, Ibuprofen und Antibiotika
25.03.2021 | Die Linde
Schlagrisiko von Fledermäusen an Windkraftanlagen verringern
25.03.2021 | FOCUS
Rattengift bedroht Greifvögel
23.03.2021 | Berliner Zeitung
Chemikalien vergiften Greifvögel in Deutschland – und Habichte in Berlin
12.03.2021 | Terra Mater Factual Studios
How to Save a Species When There Are Only Two Females Left