Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research

What Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research does

Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) is a publicly funded, non-profit research institute headquartered in Berlin, Germany, founded in 1990 as part of the Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. and a member of the Leibniz Association. The institute conducts interdisciplinary wildlife research combining biology and veterinary medicine, spanning molecular to landscape levels, with expertise in reproductive biology, wildlife genetics, disease ecology, and conservation science. Its work is organized across six research departments (Evolutionary Ecology, Evolutionary Genetics, Wildlife Diseases, Reproduction Biology, Reproduction Management, and Ecological Dynamics) plus a field research station in Niederfinow.

Leibniz-IZW's core technology portfolio includes advanced assisted reproduction techniques (ART) such as in-vitro maturation, IVF, embryo culture, and cryopreservation for endangered species; a wildlife cryobank holding samples from more than 100 species with special focus on felids; non-invasive hormone monitoring from faeces, urine, hair, and cell culture medium; comprehensive wildlife pathology and disease diagnostics; and the GAIA animal tag system with sensor-based AI, camera, and satellite communication. The institute is a core partner in the BioRescue consortium, which produced 39 pure Northern White Rhino embryos and achieved the world's first successful rhino embryo transfer. It also operates the BeGenDiv center for biodiversity genomics and Leibniz-IZW Academy for scientific training.

The institute operates on a public-good research funding model rather than commercial pricing. Core funding flows from German federal and state governments through the Leibniz Association and Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V., supplemented by competitive grants from BMBF, DFG, and the Leibniz Competition, as well as project-based funding from international partners. Its outputs are distributed through peer-reviewed scientific publications, international research consortiums (BioRescue, Biodiversity Genomics Europe, GAIA Initiative), specialized laboratory and diagnostic services for zoos and conservation breeding programs, and the EAZA BioBank partnership. The institute serves the global scientific research community, zoological institutions, conservation NGOs, and government wildlife agencies.

Name

Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research

Legal name

Leibniz-Institut für Zoo und Wildtierforschung (IZW) im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V.

Website

https://izw-berlin.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Leibniz-IZW is a publicly funded German research institute (founded 1990, Berlin) that conducts interdisciplinary wildlife and conservation research across six departments, delivering advanced reproductive technologies, disease diagnostics, cryobanking, and AI-enabled wildlife monitoring to the global scientific community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Research and Conservation Services

NAICS

Veterinary Services (54194), All Other Animal Production (11299)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Health & Conservation Disease Management (HLAMAJAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Animal Disease Surveillance & Reporting Systems (HLAMAJAB), Vaccine R&D, Clinical/Field Trials & Regulatory Affairs (HLAMAKAM), Wildlife Surveys & Movement/Connectivity Studies (e.g., Avian/Bat, Telemetry) (EUAHAHAH), Zoonotic Disease Control & Risk Assessment (HLAMAJAE)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation research
• Reproductive biology services
• Wildlife disease diagnostics
• Genetic resource banking
• Non-invasive hormone analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Research Funding: As a member of the Leibniz Association and part of Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V., the institute receives core funding from German federal and state governments for fundamental research in wildlife ecology, reproduction biology, and conservation.

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Leibniz-IZW conducts fundamental and applied research on wildlife adaptability, reproduction biology, disease ecology, and conservation biology. It delivers specialized scientific services including wildlife pathology and disease diagnostics, non-invasive hormone monitoring, sperm quality evaluation, wildlife forensics, computed tomography, electron microscopy, and stable isotope analysis. It also operates the IZW Cryobank (genetic samples from more than 100 species) and develops technology products such as the GAIA animal tag system with sensor-based AI and satellite communication for real-time wildlife behavior monitoring.

Product overview

Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) is a German research institute that offers scientific services rather than commercial products. Its portfolio includes wildlife diagnostic services (pathology, disease diagnostics, wildlife forensics), reproductive biology services (hormone analysis, sperm quality evaluation, reproductive status assessment), advanced imaging (computed tomography, electron microscopy), and analytical services (stable isotope analysis, nutritional analyses). The institute also operates the IZW Cryobank for genetic resource preservation of over 100 species and participates in the EAZA BioBank. Technology products include the GAIA animal tag system with AI and camera capabilities for real-time wildlife monitoring, and machine learning-based roaring detection algorithms for lion research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BioRescue: International consortium developing advanced assisted reproduction technologies for conservation of endangered species, particularly the northern white rhinoceros.
• BeGenDiv
• Leibniz-IZW Academy

Products and services

• Wildlife Pathology and Disease Diagnostics Wildlife pathology and disease diagnostics services for the scientific community, including pathological anatomical reference collection and disease outbreak modeling.
• Non-invasive Hormone Analysis Non-invasive hormone monitoring service using faeces, urine, hair and cell culture medium from wildlife species. One of the leading labs worldwide for reproductive and adrenocortical hormone analysis.
• Reproductive Status Assessment Assessment of reproductive status of wildlife animals including hormone monitoring and gamete analysis.
• Sperm Quality Evaluation Evaluation of sperm quality services for endangered species conservation breeding programs.
• Computed Tomography Services Advanced imaging services using computed tomography technology for wildlife research.
• Electron Microscopy Electron microscopy services for high-resolution wildlife tissue and cell analysis.
• Stable Isotope Analysis Stable isotope analysis service for wildlife research including dietary studies and migration tracking.
• Wildlife Forensics Wildlife forensics services for species identification and conservation law enforcement.
• IZW Cryobank (Genome Resource Bank ARCHE) Cryopreservation of gametes and genetic resources from more than 100 species with special focus on felids, including ejaculated and epididymal sperm, oocytes, embryos, testicular cells and ovarian tissue.
• EAZA BioBank European Association of Zoos and Aquaria BioBank for wildlife genetic sample storage and exchange.
• GAIA Animal Tag System Innovative animal tag system with sensor-based artificial intelligence, camera, energy-efficient electronics and satellite-based communication for real-time detection and transmission of animal behaviour as an early warning system for ecological changes.
• Lion Roaring Detection Algorithm Machine learning algorithm that detects long-distance roaring from lion collars based solely on acceleration data without recording audio.

Quantifiable outcome

• 39 Northern White Rhino embryos produced through BioRescue program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and supporting.

• Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits (Fraunhofer IIS)coreTechnology or Integration · 13 September 2022Technology partnership for development of the GAIA animal tag system with sensor-based AI, camera technology, energy-efficient electronics and satellite communication.
• Colossal BiosciencesflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 September 2019Colossal Biosciences joined the BioRescue consortium to contribute genetic recovery expertise using their pioneering toolkit for restoring genetic diversity from museum specimens for living populations of critically endangered species, specifically Northern White Rhino.
• Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. (FVB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeibniz-IZW is a member of the Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. (FVB), an association of non-university research institutes in Berlin that promotes cooperation and synergy among member institutions.
• Leibniz AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeibniz-IZW is a member of the Leibniz Association (Leibniz-Gemeinschaft), a network of non-university research institutions covering all disciplines in Germany, receiving joint funding from federal and state governments.
• Ol Pejeta ConservancyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey conservation partner in Kenya for Northern White Rhino rescue operations, where oocyte collection procedures are conducted and where Przewalski's horses are being reintroduced.
• Humboldt University BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for research and education, including Institute for Biology collaboration on reproduction biology and wildlife endocrinology studies.
• Technical University BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership including Chair of Cellular Reproduction Biotechnology at Institute of Biotechnology for collaborative research.
• Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on reproductive biology research including seminal fluid studies and cell culture model development.
• Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal Research Institute for Animal Health cooperation on African swine fever research and disease outbreak modeling.
• Helmholtz MunichsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration on bat metabolism and seasonal migration studies including fatty acid oxidation research.
• EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through EAZA BioBank for sample transfer and biobanking coordination across European zoos for conservation breeding programs.
• University of LausannesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic collaboration on bat reproduction research including discovery of novel mating patterns in common serotine bats.
• Leibniz Institute for Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research on bacterial communities in urban water bodies and environmental microbiology studies.
• Charité - Universitätsmedizin BerlinsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical research partnership on biodiversity, pathogen spread, and environmental change impacts on health.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Others

• Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits (IIS): Technology partner co-developing the GAIA animal tag system with Leibniz-IZW. While not a direct competitor, Fraunhofer IIS provides the underlying sensor and satellite communication capabilities central to the institute's wildlife-monitoring product.
• EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) BioBank: Coordinator of wildlife genetic sample exchange across European zoo institutions; Leibniz-IZW is a key sample transfer partner. Not a peer in a competitive sense but a tightly coupled ecosystem participant in the same biobanking niche.

Broad incumbents

• Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute: Major US conservation research institute within the Smithsonian, focused on wildlife reproduction, genetics, and conservation biology. Directly comparable mission and overlapping ART/cryobank expertise, but operating at much larger scale and US-based.
• Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Institute of Zoology: UK-based conservation research organization conducting wildlife disease, reproduction, and ecology research. Comparable research portfolio and conservation focus, with similar academic publishing and grant-funding model.

Direct peers

• Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI): German federal research institute for animal health, collaborating with Leibniz-IZW on African swine fever and wildlife disease modelling. Closest direct peer in German institutional structure and disease ecology research.
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Operates one of the world's leading wildlife cryobanks (Frozen Zoo) and runs active conservation breeding and ART programs including work with northern white rhinos. Closest direct peer in terms of cryobank scale and endangered species reproduction.
• Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust: Jersey-based conservation charity running species recovery and captive breeding programs. Comparable niche focus on endangered species recovery with some overlap in ART for conservation, though operating as a charitable trust rather than a research institute.

Emerging players

• University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna (Vetmeduni): Austrian veterinary university with active wildlife reproduction research (notably the Vienna Crypto Lab on avian reproduction). Comparable academic wildlife reproductive biology focus but university-based rather than independent research institute.
• Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing: German non-university research institute under the Max Planck Society, studying mechanisms of ageing including comparative work on naked mole-rats. Comparable Leibniz/Max Planck institute structure and joint BMBF-funded ageing research with IZW.
• Colossal Biosciences: US-based de-extinction biotech company and BioRescue consortium partner focused on genetic recovery of extinct and critically endangered species including the northern white rhino. Comparable ART focus but operating as a venture-backed commercial company.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/IZWberlin
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC7c3284ckPGekZbYeCdUtUg
• Facebookfacebook.com/leibnizizw
• Instagraminstagram.com/leibnizizw

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research