Development of domestic and farm animal populations in German zoos and animal gardens on the basis of a comparison between selected surveys from three decades

German zoos do not only keep wild animals from foreign countries, but in many cases also domestic animals from native breeds. In 2005-2006 an internet survey was performed in order to document the development of livestock keeping in German zoos and other public available institutions. The results were compared with two similar investigations performed in 1989 and 1995, respectively. The total number of animals kept by these institutions increased between 1989 and 1995. However, this study revealed a decrease of both the number of breeds and the number of animals kept per institution. The animal keeping institutions were spread across all German states, with some accumulation of zoos in tourist regions. No significant differences were found between federal states or regions with respect to breed diversity, livestock size and development of livestock size. There was some relation between the breeds kept and the type of the animal keeping institution. Breeds listed as endangered tended to be more frequently shown in zoos than breeds not considered to be endangered. In the last 20 years the male to female ratio has changed in all considered species. Availability of a relatively smaller number of males may result in breeding problems. Because of the large number of domestic animals of native breeds kept in German zoos, these institutions play an important role in conservation breeding and should therefore be integrated in respective breeding programs.

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