Species conservation day
3.3.2025 On species conservation day
Protecting biodiversity is not only an ethical obligation, but a necessity for the long-term survival of our world and society. It is high time that we all take responsibility and take the right steps to protect our planet.
As a famous Dakota quote says: “Only when the last tree is cut down, the last river poisoned, the last animal killed, only then will you realise that money cannot be eaten.” This emphasises how important it is not only to ensure the current protection of biodiversity, but also to protect future generations from the destructive effects of our actions.
The planet is running out of time
Up to 30% of the world’s land and sea areas are to be protected areas by 2030. Around 200 countries therefore agreed on a biodiversity framework around two years ago. 23 common goals are intended to help stop the destruction of ecosystems. The industrialised countries are therefore called upon to provide 19 billion euros per year to protect biodiversity. By 2030, 30 billion euros are to be made available annually.
Das Ökosystem der Erde erhalten
70 out of 200 countries still have a lot of work to do to reach the 2030 target. These include countries such as Mexico, Indonesia, Malaysia, Peru, the Philippines, South Africa and Venezuela. These countries are known for their natural diversity and everything must be done to preserve this diversity.
The EU member states have also presented a plan to preserve biodiversity. According to the analysis, Austria is on track with its plan. Nevertheless, action is needed here too: one in four domestic mammal species is considered endangered. Only 14% of Austria’s rivers are still ecologically intact. Almost half of native fish species, three fifths of amphibian species and two thirds of reptile species are threatened with extinction. Globally, the populations of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish have declined by around three quarters since 1970.
Protecting species – An investment in the future
Without targeted species protection measures, the loss of biodiversity will continue to increase and jeopardise our livelihoods. Without intact nature, there can be no healthy economy, no social security and no prosperity. The issue of species conservation must therefore never disappear from the political agenda. Financing biodiversity conservation must remain a key issue both nationally and internationally.
Hauptursachen für das Artensterben
With the beginning of agriculture and colonisation, the habitats of animals and plants changed. The balance in nature has been disturbed by centuries of resource exploitation and the extinction of many species. Financing biodiversity protection by the signatory states may be difficult, but it is worth a major effort. If action is not taken now, Mother Nature will present us with the bill: fallow fields, dead rivers and more.
Extinct breeds at Gut Aiderbichl
Many native animals that are threatened with extinction live on Gut Aiderbichl’s 31 animal sanctuaries. A new breed of aurochs has found a home here. The aurochs, the mother of all cattle, was wiped out by humans. It was not until 1920 that breeding began. The Hungarian Zackel sheep and Blacknose sheep, which are among the oldest sheep breeds, are also on the red list. At the end of the 1970s, the Kune-Kune pigs almost became extinct in New Zealand. Gut Aiderbichl is now home to over 50 of these animals, whose behaviour shows us just how intelligent pigs are.
The parrots at Gut Aiderbichl
Parrots are an important example of the need for a healthy ecosystem. Their original habitat is tropical rainforests, not zoos or living rooms. The population of these birds is threatened by habitat destruction, poaching, illegal trade, climate change, pesticides and disease. Zita and Karl, two grey parrots that have found sanctuary at Gut Aiderbichl, originally come from West Africa and have enjoyed the highest protection status in the EU since 2017. Their import and trade are only permitted with official authorisation. Zita and Karl live in the aviary at Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf, where they grow old in a protected environment and have interesting “small talks” with their keepers.
Zita and Karl
Not only do parrots adapt to their surroundings: they also exhibit pronounced social behaviour. If they cannot enjoy their lives in free flight in huge flocks, but instead sit as pets in an aviary, sufficient space, the right food and the opportunity for social contact must be provided. If social contact is not made possible, the parrot will display behavioural problems, pluck out its feathers or become aggressive.
Grey parrots, such as Zita and Karl, who live at Gut Aiderbichl, have enjoyed the highest protection status in the EU since 2017 and the import and marketing of grey parrots, for example, is prohibited without official approval.
Zita and Karl’s home is West Africa. They now live in the large bird house at Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf, where the animal keepers make every effort to provide the two grey parrots with the right nutrition and care. Here they can now grow old together in a protected environment and have interesting small talks with their keepers about their home in West Africa. And our visitors learn all about protected species and their importance to the world.
