Zoo Conservation as a Bridge to Biodiversity Recovery: Approaches, Perspectives, and Case Studies

Dear Colleagues,

Zoo conservation is playing a critical and evolving role in contemporary biodiversity recovery efforts. In an era defined by accelerating ecological crises, ranging from habitat degradation to climate change and the loss of genetic diversity, research institutions, conservation centers, and international organizations are increasingly being recognized as key actors in finding active strategies to halt environmental decline.

This Special Issue will examine and strengthen the role of zoo conservation as an active strategy and crucial interface between scientific research and conservation practice that enhances the effectiveness of ex situ and in situ population management.  

Possible topics for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, ex situ population management, population reinforcement, and reintroduction and translocation programs, as well as the application of genetic and reproductive technologies. In addition to theoretical and methodological studies, we warmly welcome contributions based on concrete case studies and field experiments.Empirical analyses of specific conservation projects, regional programs, or species-focused initiatives, particularly those that evaluate outcomes, lessons learned, and replicable models, are strongly encouraged. Such evidence-based insights are invaluable in assessing the real-world effectiveness of conservation interventions and refining strategies that can be adapted to diverse ecological and socio-political contexts. 

By integrating empirical research, methodological insights, and interdisciplinary collaborations from diverse geographical and ecological contexts, this Special Issue will provide a comprehensive overview of current trends and emerging best practices in zoo conservation.  

Contributions should examine the ethical, logistical, and ecological dimensions of conservation breeding programs, the challenges in maintaining genetic health in small populations, and the opportunities offered by new technologies such as genomics, artificial reproduction, and environmental DNA monitoring.  

Ultimately, this Special Issue will foster dialog and collaboration among researchers, conservation practitioners, policymakers, and local communities. By bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and conservation practice, zoo conservation can serve as a cornerstone for reversing biodiversity loss and promoting adaptive, science-based approaches to sustainability, reinforcing the transformative potential of research-driven conservation. 

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Maria Buglione
Prof. Dr. Domenico Fulgione
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Conservation is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• biodiversity restoration
• in situ conservation
• ex situ management
• science–practice interface
• species recovery
• wildlife management
• zoo conservation