With the opening of the new Conservation House, Schönbrunn Zoo has created an immersive space that highlights the global fight against illegal wildlife trafficking. Housed in the former “Haus der Schrecken,” the exhibition offers a unique visitor experience that informs, raises awareness, and encourages critical engagement with the issue.
Visually and scenographically, the space deliberately breaks with the typical zoo aesthetic. Visitors symbolically enter the arrivals area of Vienna International Airport – a design concept echoed in light portals, news headline displays, floor guidance systems, conveyor belts, and thematic showcases. These elements work together to convey the seriousness of the subject without overwhelming the viewer.
Special focus is placed on younger audiences: an interactive media station invites children to act as "customs officers" scanning suspicious luggage. By identifying trafficked animals with a digital scanner, they learn in a playful way which species are most threatened and what items must not be brought home from holidays.
16 terrariums display animals that were confiscated by customs and are now cared for and successfully bred by the zoo. The installation provides a behind-the-scenes look at the zoo’s species protection work, including animal care, breeding, and scientific documentation.
Despite the gravity of the topic, the Conservation House offers a hopeful message: it demonstrates what can be achieved through education, international cooperation, and concrete conservation efforts. Visitors leave with a heightened sense of responsibility for the protection of endangered species worldwide.
