© Arche Warder
AN ARK FOR DIVERSITY
On board the ark we are 1,100
Marine conservation begins on land – in the Arche (Ark) Warder just outside Kiel. The ocean provides a habitat for countless plant and animal species. The diversity of this habitat is under threat. In addition to many other factors, agriculture also plays a role.
Unsustainable agriculture affects the resilience of our oceans and the biodiversity of marine ecosystems through fertilisers and waste products, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which enter the sea via various routes. Too much nitrogen and phosphorus cause a strong growth of algae, the resulting oversupply of nutrients causes a lack of oxygen, which jeopardises the animals and plants in the marine ecosystem.
What role does Arche Warder play in this?
Arche Wader is committed to biodiversity and sustainable agriculture. The focus is on endangered domestic and farm animal breeds. Many of the animal breeds that live in the Warder Ark are threatened with extinction and there are only a few hundred individuals of some breeds left. Preserving the diversity of the old breeds means preserving the genetic diversity of farm animals.
This genetic diversity is important in order to achieve alternative production and farming methods as a counter-model to factory farming in agriculture.
The preservation of old farm animal breeds is a contribution to nature conservation and environmental protection, as the keeping of these robust breeds in free-range or semi-free-range farming is generally more environmentally friendly and the animals also make an important contribution as landscape conservationists.
The Arche Warder concept includes educational programmes that encourage environmental protection. Programmes such as "landing nets" are designed to show children the importance of organisms living in the water and "Wool instead of microplastics" illustrates the links between consumption and the resulting impact on the sea.
An ark with more than 1,100 animals has come ashore on the edge of the Westensee Nature Park
The Arche Warder is a globally unique centre: an animal park for rare and endangered breeds of domestic and farm animals. Conservation breeding, education and science are important pillars of the concept. With native and domesticated animals, Arche Warder offers an alternative to traditional zoos, which often exhibit exotic animals. In the Arche Wader, pets are shown that can not only be kept in a species-appropriate manner, but are also particularly suitable for animal-human interaction as domesticated animals.
Educational work also plays a major role here, as visitors can discover the exciting history of domestication from dogs to chickens in the Domesticaneum visitor centre alongside educational activities in the zoo. How did this diversity come about and how did domestic animals come to humans? The exhibition at the Domesticaneum visitor centre explains these and many other questions with interaction and edutainment. Multimedia features such as games, video installations, sounds and life-size models allow young and old to experience the exciting development of domestic animals and their role in the cultural history of mankind at first hand. This raises awareness of the importance of agriculture for our lives and culture today. The exhibition provides an impetus to think about responsibility, action and sustainable agriculture.
The diversity of domestic and farm animals has evolved over many generations and thus represents a unique global resource. The diversity of livestock breeds has evolved in different regions and specific landscapes, so that they are perfectly adapted to their respective regions and have special characteristics: the Heidschnucke to the heath, the Angler Saddleback to the Angeln region. They are a part of biological diversity.
Arche Warder is the world's largest zoo for rare and endangered livestock breeds. With a clear scientific concept, Arche Warder plays an important role in the conservation of rare livestock breeds. Around 1,100 animals from currently 94 different breeds live on 40 hectares of parkland with species-appropriate and aesthetically designed facilities and various satellite stations. Arche Warder is a non-profit organisation and relies on donations. Help at www.arche-warder.de
© Arche Wader
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