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ZOO LIFE pollinators

Europe

Pollinating insects such as wild bees, hoverflies and butterflies play a vital role in nature, but many species are in decline. ZOO LIFE Pollinators is an EU-funded conservation project that aims to improve pollinator habitats in urban and suburban areas and develop new methods for breeding selected species. The Project brings together 16 partners from nine European countries and combines research, habitat restoration, breeding and public engagement. Its goal is to reverse pollinator decline and create new tools for conservation across Europe.

How the project started

ZOO LIFE Pollinators was launched in 2025 as an EU project involving zoos, universities and conservation organisations from across Europe. The project responds to the sharp decline in Europe's pollinators, driven in part by habitat loss. It aims to improve our understanding of pollinators and deliver tangible improvements in nature.

The participating zoos are working to restore pollinator-friendly habitats across a total of 926 hectares and develop shared methods for monitoring and conservation.

What we are working on right now

Copenhagen Zoo plays a central role in the project's work to breed wild pollinators.

Together with Nordens Ark in Sweden, we are developing methods for breeding selected species of hoverflies, wild bees and butterflies.

At Copenhagen Zoo's breeding centre, zookeepers and gardeners are setting up breeding facilities and growing food plants for these species, while biologists and groundskeepers are creating more pollinator-friendly areas throughout the Zoo. Their experience will be compiled into breeding protocols to enable zoos across Europe to actively contribute to the conservation of threatened pollinators.

The future of the project

The long-term ambition is to establish zoos as active conservation centres for pollinators. The project will develop knowledge, methods and breeding protocols that can be used by zoos, authorities and conservation organisations across Europe. At the same time, habitat restoration, coordinated monitoring and outreach to millions of visitors will raise awareness of the importance of pollinators.

The goal is to increase populations of wild bees, hoverflies and butterflies in nature, strengthening the ecosystems on which wild plants, crops and people depend.

  • Read more about the project
  • Download Pollinator Ambassador Toolkit

    • Co-funded by the European Union

    The ZOO LIFE Pollinators project is co-funded by the European Union through the LIFE Programme – a funding instrument that supports the implementation of the EU’s environmental and climate policies.

    Our other projects

    At Copenhagen Zoo, we are actively involved in conservation projects around the world. Which project would you like to explore next?