Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)

The IZW is a modern wildlife research institute with its foundation in evolutionary biology. It is based in Berlin Lichtenberg in close proximity to the Tierpark Berlin, one of the two Berlin zoos. The IZW focuses its research on selected mammals and birds. Its research program EVitA works according to guidelines of investigating vitality and adaptability (EVitA) of wildlife populations belonging to species of outstanding ecological interest facing anthropogenic challenges. This includes the focus themes of adaptation, diseases and nature conservation. All scientific questions are categorised using these three approaches.


As part of the project "Loss of the Night" the IZW cooperates with the IGB to research the "Effect of light pollution on obligatory nocturnal mammals (bats)". This includes research on how artificial light sources bordering at bodies of water or terrestrial environments effect bats at which intensity as well as spectral distribution while also focusing on whether and how these effects could be reduced or eliminated.

Leader of suproject at the IZW is PD Dr. Christian C. Voigt