Conservation · European EEP Network
Conservation and EEP
For some of the species we care for, the future out there is by no means guaranteed. That’s where our work begins.
What does it mean?
A Bigger Story
When a zoo joins a conservation program, every animal it houses is part of a collaborative effort involving dozens of other facilities across Europe.
At Zoo al Maglio, several species are part of European conservation programs. That’s one of the reasons they’re here: because, out in the wild, their survival depends on coordinated management.
Zoo al Maglio has been part of this program for years, and the Susy Fehr – ZooCARE Foundation is strengthening its role. EEP stands for the European Endangered Species Program: it is the European system coordinated by EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) that manages the populations of endangered species housed in European zoos.
The goal is to preserve genetic diversity, promote reproduction, and, in some cases, reintroduce animals into their natural habitat. When a zoo joins an EEP, every animal in its care becomes part of a larger story. It is not simply “the leopard at Zoo al Maglio”; it is one of the few individuals of the species in Europe, managed according to scientific criteria shared with dozens of other zoos.
Shared Scientific Criteria
Every individual counts in the European network
Preservation in Progress
Our Current Programs
Seven concrete commitments, managed in accordance with the shared criteria of the European Zoo Network.
EEP Snow Leopard
We participate in the European program for the conservation of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia), one of the rarest and most endangered species in the world. As members of the program, we contribute to the coordinated management of the European population: we follow the guidelines of the EEP coordinator and share data and decisions with the other zoos in the network.
EEP Ring-tailed Lemur
We participate in the European conservation program for the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta), one of the world’s most endangered species, which is endemic to Madagascar. Our work is focused on raising awareness about the species and the challenges it faces in Madagascar, while also helping to maintain a healthy ex situ population.
Research on the Berber Lions
We support research programs on the Barbary lion (Panthera leo leo), a subspecies that is extinct in the wild. Today, the Barbary lion survives only in zoos, and the coordinated management of these animals is essential to preserving what remains of their genetic heritage.
Pro Specie Rara: Swiss Hens
We participate in the Pro Specie Rara program to protect traditional Swiss chicken breeds, which are part of our region’s agricultural and cultural heritage.
Monitoring of Local Wildlife
The zoo serves as an observation point for the region’s wildlife, with a particular focus on the endangered amphibians of Ticino: controlled breeding and reproduction, a naturalized pond for reintroduction, and tools for monitoring wild species in the Malcantone region over time.
BOE Project
A conservation project by the Fondazione Susy Fehr – ZooCARE.
Burrowing Owl
We are participating in the European program for the burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), the small bird of prey that lives underground in our park.
What We’ve Done
Completed Projects
Completed initiatives that have brought the issue of conservation beyond the zoo.
March–April 2026
Mother Nature Project
Stories of Women in Conservation. In the world of animal research, conservation, and protection, more and more women are making a decisive contribution to the preservation of nature: scientists, researchers, naturalists, and activists who work every day to protect endangered species and preserve ecosystems.
Through *Mother Nature*, we’ve shared these stories: women who, with passion and determination, have dedicated their lives to protecting animals and natural habitats, becoming examples of dedication, expertise, and courage. The project also involved the Abruzzo Zoo and Le Cornelle Wildlife Park.
Inside Mother Nature
Three Zoo Projects
The Parrots Project
A tour dedicated to the zoo’s parrots, their cognitive abilities, and the enrichment activities that support their well-being.
Gibbon Project
A project focused on the endangered white-handed gibbon and how to educate visitors about the threats it faces.
Raccoon Project
A project on the zoo’s raccoons, their behavior, and the management of a species introduced to Europe.
One day a year, for everyone
Conservation Day
The most direct way to see firsthand why these programs matter.
Meetings, Activities, Workshops
An open house for everyone
Every year, we organize a Conservation Day, dedicated to raising public awareness about the importance of protecting endangered species and natural habitats.
A day of activities, meetings, and workshops open to everyone.