Why Zoo LIFE Pollinators

The decline of pollinating insects shows no sign of slowing down: 84% of European agricultural production depends on them. Currently, 9% of wild bee species, 40% of hoverfly species, and more than 480 butterfly species are at risk of extinction. Against this backdrop, Zoo LIFE Pollinators—a project co-funded by the European Union—brings together 16 partners across 9 countries, including zoos, universities, and other associated organizations.

Project objectives

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Knowledge

Improve information on native wild pollinators & insect-pollinated plants,
through standardised monitoring methodologies and research.
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Habitat

Increase pollinator numbers by creating and restoring favorable habitats in and around zoos, including lawns, green roofs, and hedgerows.
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Stakeholder

Encourage behavioural change of key stakeholders and involve zoos, NGOs,
municipalities, and communities in pollinator protection.
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Governance

Promote pollinator -friendly governance & strategies by positioning zoos as
active conservation hubs within the LIFE framework.

An innovative partnership

Through Zoo LIFE Pollinators, eight zoos across Europe are working together on an innovative, large-scale initiative that leverages their unique strengths: managing extensive green spaces in urban and peri-urban areas, employing highly qualified staff with expertise in biology and conservation, and engaging a wide audience through educational programs, awareness campaigns, and citizen science projects.

Project numbers

We work together to achieve the established goals

16 partners in 9 European Countries

Zoological facilities, universities and departments across Europe, united for biodiversity

12 beneficiaries

4 associated partners

The Transect Walk

The project uses the Pollard transect methodology, adopted by the European Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (eBMS) for standardized monitoring of butterflies and, more recently, other wild pollinators. This method involves defining a fixed route of 500–1000 meters, which is walked regularly throughout the flight season to record the number and species of individuals observed. Following recommendations from the European Commission, the methodology has been extended to wild Apoidea and hoverflies to harmonize the monitoring of key pollinating insects.
The adoption and harmonization of a common survey method across all partner facilities is supported by Butterfly Conservation Europe, an associated partner that coordinates the eBMS network.
In addition to entomological monitoring, Zoo LIFE Pollinators will carry out phytosociological surveys and count entomogamous floral units at five fixed 1 m² points along each partner’s transect to assess the status and effectiveness of ecological restoration measures.

The wild pollinator insects we protect

Project timeline

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2025

September – 1st Kick-off meeting: official launch of the project with all the partners to define main objectives, responsibilities and operational guidelines.
September – 1st Capacity building: first training meeting for partners, aimed at sharing the tools, knowledge and skills necessary for the recognition and monitoring of the three taxa involved in the project.
December – Selection of seed mixes for the areas to be restored: definition of mixes of native seeds and local ecotypes, chosen to ensure continuous flowering and support pollinators, excluding alien or invasive species and respecting local biodiversity.
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2026

June – Initial monitoring of pollinating insects: completion of the first phase of data collection in the areas to be restored, with a focus on the species of pollinating insects present and their biodiversity.
June – Second meeting with partners: opportunity to discuss progress, share experiences and coordinate future activities.
September – 2nd Capacity building: second training meeting to deepen specific skills and innovative methodologies for the conservation of the 3 taxa of the project.
December – Environmental restoration of 926 hectares: completion of environmental restoration work, with all activities documented and data collected for future monitoring.
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2027

May – First edition of the “Pollinator Awareness Day” in 8 European zoological facilities: public event aimed at informing visitors about the importance of pollinators and promoting concrete actions for their protection.
July – 3rd meeting with partners: progress review, sharing of experiences and planning of subsequent activities.
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2028

August – 4th meeting with partners: strategic meeting to evaluate the results achieved, discuss any critical issues and define the next steps of the project.
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2029

April – Creation of the “European Initiative for Pollinating Insects” within the EAZA TITAG network: launch of a European initiative to strengthen the protection of pollinating insects and promote good practices among zoological facilities.
June – Final international conference: closing event to present the results of the project, share experiences and discuss future prospects.

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Our actions
Educational initiatives
The LIFE programme is the European Union’s financial instrument dedicated to the environment and climate action, active since 1992. It finances projects that promote nature conservation, sustainability, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and climate protection, contributing to the objectives of the European Green Deal and the 2030 Agenda. The programme is managed by the European Executive Agency for Climate, Infrastructure and Environment (CINEA) on behalf of the European Commission.
Il programma LIFE è lo strumento finanziario dell’Unione Europea dedicato all’ambiente e all’azione per il clima, attivo dal 1992. Finanzia progetti che promuovono la conservazione della natura, la sostenibilità, l’efficienza energetica, le energie rinnovabili e la protezione del clima, contribuendo agli obiettivi del Green Deal europeo e dell’Agenda 2030. Il programma è gestito dall’Agenzia esecutiva europea per il clima, l’infrastruttura e l’ambiente (CINEA), per conto della Commissione Europea.

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