Initially, her wishes were implemented in a non-profit association, the „Akademie für Zoo- und Wildtierschutz e.V.“, which has successfully supported projects at home and abroad since 2010. To ensure that this work can continue in the long term, the association has established the Animal, Nature and Species Protection Foundation.
The foundation was recognised by the government of Upper Bavaria at the end of 2024 and has been operational since 2025. Its purpose is to help ensure that the wishes of the testators are fulfilled in the long term.
What we do
The foundation supports national and international projects that focus on animal, nature and species conservation, as well as animal breeding with a view to preserving genetic diversity. The focus is on two main areas:
1. Preservation of endangered species and old livestock breeds
- Support for projects in the natural habitat (in situ)
- as well as in conservation and breeding programmes (ex situ)
- always with the aim of securing endangered species and old domestic animal breeds in the long term.
- Science and research
- Funding for wildlife biology and veterinary medicine research projects
- Support for reintroduction programmes in protected areas and national parks
- Collaboration with zoos and other scientific institutions.
The foundation attaches great importance to sustainability in all its projects:
It is not about short-term actions, but rather long-term projects that make a measurable contribution to the conservation of species and their habitats.
Technical management
In accordance with the wishes of the founders, the foundation's board is always headed by a veterinary specialist in zoo and wild animals: Prof. Dr. Henning Wiesner and Prof. Dr. Bernd Schildger. This ensures that decisions are made on the basis of expert knowledge and that projects are selected which are both scientifically sound and practically feasible.
The Animal, Nature and Species Conservation Foundation combines the wishes of its founders with modern research and practical nature conservation work – so that future generations can also experience the diversity of life on our planet.
