At a time when major construction projects seem to be at loggerheads with nature, Sund & Bælt and Copenhagen ZOO will demonstrate that it is possible to add more value to nature and Denmark’s biodiversity through responsible planning and collaboration.

The partnership between the two organisations aims to strengthen the living conditions of the local amphibian population, particularly the endangered green toad, during the construction of the Fehmarnbelt tunnel and on Sprogø, the island in the Great Belt.

Sund & Bælt plans to create natural habitats with optimum conditions for the green toad before, during and after construction.

Key battle for nature in Denmark

This is the first time for the Copenhagen Zoo to partner with a state developer on a project of this type, says Pernille Mehl, CEO of Copenhagen’s Zoological Garden.

"This is an incredibly important project, which gives us some exciting opportunities to strengthen the populations of the Danish species that are threatened with extinction. Copenhagen ZOO is particularly focused on helping to enhance biodiversity and protect the world’s endangered species. Drawing on Sund & Bælt’s knowledge, we can contribute to conserving the endangered green toad.”

An important part of the work begins in the spring when the Copenhagen Zoo will collect toad eggs from local water holes at Rødbyhavn and on Sprogø. The eggs will then be hatched under safe conditions at the zoo’s breeding centre in Copenhagen where the new tadpoles will be cared for until they are ready to be released back into the water holes as well as into new water holes and areas nearby.

Some of the tadpoles will also remain in the care of the zoo and will later be released as adults or used in the ongoing breeding work to safeguard the population.

"The experts at the Zoological Garden understand the amphibians’ needs down to the smallest detail and what action is required to obtain the best breeding results. Together, we’ll give nature a helping hand and show that nature can co-exist alongside our major construction projects," says Ditte Hjort, project manager at Sund & Bælt with responsibility for nature initiatives.

FACTS:

Sund & Bælt’s nature initiatives at Sprogø and the Fehmarnbelt project

Sprogø is located in a Natura 2000 area. Sund & Bælt protects nature areas on Sprogø based on the wish to protect original nature and safeguard the habitats of endangered bird species such as the eider and the sandwich tern, the endangered green toad and many plants and insects.

As part of the construction of the Fehmarnbelt tunnel, a series of small and large interconnected natural areas are being created in collaboration with various partners to benefit plants, animals and people. In total, the tunnel project will create over 600 hectares of new nature on the Danish and German sides, with more than 40 water holes, lakes, wetlands and open landscapes.

Copenhagen ZOO

Copenhagen ZOO has been committed to saving Danish amphibians and improving their habitats for more than 20 years.

Most of the current projects are carried out on Zealand, Lolland and Falster as well as several locations in the South Funen Archipelago, e.g. on Hjortø.

Copenhagen ZOO is particularly focused on the green toad, the fire-bellied toad and the natterjack toad as well as the tree frog and the rare garlic toad.

Their work covers many aspects, but breeding is a significant part. This is primarily undertaken with the relevant species at the zoo, which can then be released into nature.