Like a lifeboat, the Wiesbaden animal and plant park Fasanerie also looks after the keeping and breeding of endangered livestock breeds. Accordingly, Fasanerie 2023 has been certified as an "Ark Park" and has now joined the "Ark Region Taunus" in a small ceremony. In the Ark Region, several certified farms work together to integrate the old livestock breeds into agriculture, carry out public relations work and respect the special characteristics of the old livestock breeds.

"Many people are aware that wild plants and animals are dying out. But the fact that livestock breeds are also under threat in our own neighborhood, so to speak, is not so well known," explains Wiesbaden's mayor Christiane Hinninger: "In Germany, there are more than 100 names on the Red List of endangered livestock breeds. To ensure their survival, we are also very committed to participating in the Ark projects."

The mayor of Bad Schwalbach, Markus Oberndörfer, acknowledges the great supra-regional importance of the Taunus Ark region for the preservation of endangered livestock breeds by taking on the patronage: "I am very grateful to be able to take on the patronage. My wife and I are part of the Ark region ourselves, as we breed Saxony chickens. Following in the footsteps of the former District Administrator of the Rheingau-Taunus district, Frank Kilian, who is from Bad Schwalbach and was also a patron, I am continuing this small tradition and am now looking forward to good cooperation with all members of the region."

By becoming a member of the Taunus Ark Region, the Wiesbadener Fasanerie can further expand its educational program and offer visitors even deeper insights into the importance of preserving old domestic animal breeds for biodiversity. Cooperation with other institutions within the Ark Region, for example with farms, enables an intensive exchange of experiences and very practical assistance. For example, animals can be borrowed in order to achieve breeding success.

Background Ark Park or Ark Farm

The designation as an Ark Park is a recognition of breeding work with endangered breeds. Compliance with the criteria is checked at regular intervals. Recognized farms and facilities may use the protected Ark logo for their own advertising.

Background to the Ark Region

In 2022, the Taunus Ark Region was recognized by the Society for the Preservation of Old and Endangered Domestic Animal Breeds (GEH) as the third Ark Region in Germany. A second recognized Ark Region in Hesse is the Ark Region Kellerwald Frankenau and surroundings. In the Ark Region, several certified farms work together to integrate the old livestock breeds into agriculture, to carry out public relations work and to focus on the special characteristics of the old livestock breeds

Background Society GEH

The Society for the Preservation of Old and Endangered Livestock Breeds (GEH) is committed to the preservation of endangered livestock breeds, which represent an important genetic reserve and are of cultural and historical value. Through broad public relations work for the active preservation of livestock, exhibitions, coordination of interested parties and breeders, data collection and regional group work, the currently 2,200 members are committed to the old livestock breeds. The focus here is on extensive farming, nature conservation and landscape management, animal-friendly livestock farming, agricultural education and the production of quality products. Close cooperation with associations and authorities contributes significantly to the successful conservation measures.

List of endangered livestock breeds cared for in the pheasantry:
GEH publishes the red list of endangered livestock breeds.
The Red List at a glance (opens in a new tab)