Blog: How to exhibit a toxic critter

For BIAZA Vital Venoms and Practical Poisons week, we’re highlighting the work of individuals across the sector who contribute to advancing venomous species research and appreciation.

Dr. Nils Kley, Founder and CEO of “Welt der Gifte” (World of Poisons), guides us through the making and fundamentals of Austria's smallest zoo...

With few exceptions, the husbandry of venomous and poisonous species in zoos has seen a decline in both UK and other European zoos in recent years. Legal intensifications regarding safety regulations, increased running costs and qualified zoo staff shortages are among the reasons for this development. However, despite these odds, there are the aforementioned exceptions, among them a peculiar one I would like to introduce in the following passages. Let’s start with the very beginning:

In 1968, Wiliam G. Conway, at that time director at the New York Zoological Society (nowadays: Bronx Zoo) published “How to exhibit a bullfrog: a bed-time story for zoomen” to encourage zoos to tell the stories of lesser known and publicly appreciated animals via more inspirational, extensive and educational exhibition design. As a young veterinarian trying to get into the zoo world and bored by dreadfully dull toxicology lectures at my university, I took this lesson to heart. For years, I fiddled about with the concept of an innovative interdisciplinary exhibition on poisons & venoms in nature, human society, history and medicine, including relevant yet rather plain live animal specimens, to reach & teach the public in both an educational and entertaining way. Little did I know that a common friend had secretly passed my concept on to Conway, who personally encouraged me to realize it. This gave me the necessary boost to suit the action to the word. Starting with a little room in a deteriorating industrial building in the North German college town of Greifswald, the exhibition found its footing and started to grow. So did my skills, networks and knowledge, as zoo director, vet, curator and keeper unified in one person, supported by my wife, my father and a young enthusiastic assistant. By now, I’ve become a certified expert and instructor for dealing with venomous reptiles, recognized both by German and Austrian authorities, and have taught both zoo and private keepers, army staff, firemen, the police and other groups in the safe handling of such animals.

As any zoo person can tell, this wasn’t and isn’t always easy. A lack of suitable affordable venues, stubborn antagonistic political stakeholders, red tape, increasing upkeep expenses and last but not least a global pandemic have hampered, yet not stopped the further development of the exhibition, despite not receiving any federal financial support.

Several years later, “Welt der Gifte” (World of Poisons), is officially recognized both as Austria’s smallest zoo, in accordance with Austrian legislation and as a museum, registered with the local museum association, welcomes visitors from all over the world to the picturesque city of Salzburg, to marvel at Caatinga lanceheads, Red Indian scorpions, Striped Blennies and other, often little appreciated, toxic species. The collaboration of WdG with national and international zoos is gaining traction, with the acquisition of the last two UK Inland taipans from the ZSL last September as a prominent example. Moving to a larger venue is planned for late 2022, as well as gaining membership status in the Austrian zoo association (OZO).

While Mr. Conway passed away in 2021 without having been able to visit the exhibition in person, his ideas still inspire me to this very day. And hopefully, they won’t be forgotten by future generations of upcoming zoo people.

Dr. Nils Kley CertVBM, MRCVS

Founder and CEO of “Welt der Gifte”

www.weltdergifte.com

State Veterinarian and certified instructor for the DGHT/VDA

Officially licensed expert for venomous herpetology according to Austrian legislation

All blogs reflect the views of their author and are not a reflection of BIAZA's positions.