The “R” in ZooCARE
Research
Conservation, Animals, Research, Education: “Research” is one of the four letters that make up the Foundation’s name, and one of the four ways we work.
What do we mean by
Better Understanding for Better Care
Observing an animal every day, for years, leads to knowledge. Sharing that knowledge makes it useful to everyone.
A zoo is a place where one can study behaviors that would be nearly impossible to document in the wild: how an animal’s activity changes throughout the day, how it reacts to environmental enrichment, and how a group is structured. This data helps improve the quality of care and enclosures, and contributes to the shared management of species at the European level.
We support scientific projects that advance our understanding of species and ecological dynamics, and we collaborate with universities and scientific institutions to generate real-world data on animal behavior and the management of the species we house.
What We Do
Three strands
Three different ways to turn everyday observations into knowledge.
Animal Behavior
Study of activity patterns, social relationships, and responses to environmental enrichment. This is the research area that encompasses most of the theses we supervise.
Animal Welfare
Well-being indicators, environmental assessments, and the effects of management decisions. The results directly translate into changes in the daily work of the keepers.
Species Conservation
Data that inform the European programs we participate in, as well as the monitoring of the region’s wildlife—from the amphibians of the Ticino to the wild species of Malcantone.
In collaboration with local universities
Knowledge is built together
The Project
Zoo Research Network
The Foundation’s network of scientific collaborations.
College, Internships, Theses
A Zoo Open to Research
The Zoo Research Network project connects the zoo with local universities, offering internships, work placements, and thesis projects on animal behavior and welfare.
The results don’t just sit on a shelf: they help improve species management and are used to create content for visitors—on display panels, during Animal Talks, and in educational workshops.
Would you like to do research with us?
If you study animal behavior, animal welfare, or conservation, a zoo could be the place for you to work.