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My name is Sarah, and I am a zookeeper from Frankfurt Zoo in Germany, where I work in the bird department. Together with my colleague Dennis from the herpetology department, I had the unique opportunity to travel to Jersey Zoo for a short but incredibly valuable keeper exchange.

During our three-day visit, we focused on the husbandry and breeding of the critically endangered mountain chicken frog (Leptodactylus fallax), while also gaining insight into the care of the Montserrat oriole (Icterus oberi), a small but threatened bird species (vulnerable according to IUCN). At Frankfurt Zoo, we have made it part of our mission to maintain these species in our care and contribute to their protection from extinction within their official EAZA ex-situ breeding programs.

Although I mainly work in bird care, I have always had a strong personal interest in amphibians, and also keep and breed frogs in my private time. This made the experience even more meaningful for me, as there are few zoos, which can offer opportunities like this. Being able to travel to Jersey and gain hands-on experience with both species felt like a true privilege.

One of the most fascinating aspects of my visit was the chance to look behind the scenes. I was especially impressed by the extensive breeding programmes for local and global amphibian and reptile species, many of which are managed directly at Jersey Zoo. These programmes play a crucial role in conservation, as secure backup populations are maintained in case of potential future natural disasters in their wild habitat. What I found particularly inspiring is that, after successful breeding, many of these animals are carefully reintroduced into protected areas in their natural habitat.

Exchanges like this are incredibly important. They allow us to learn from one another, to question our own routines, and to discover new approaches. What may be standard practice in one institution can be done differently in another, and sharing this knowledge helps improve both animal care and conservation efforts as a whole.

I am very grateful to have been part of this experience and to bring back new knowledge and inspiration to my team in Frankfurt. It has not only expanded my professional skills but also strengthened my passion for conservation work. Experiences like this are a powerful reminder of how important collaboration is in protecting endangered species, and I hope to continue contributing to this work in the future. 

I return to my daily work with a new perspective, taking with me not only knowledge but also a deeper awareness of the impact even small actions can have on the animals in our care.