André Stadler
Director
Alpenzoo Insbruck
André Stadler is the director of Alpenzoo Innsbruck, the only zoo in the world dedicated to Alpine animals.
Located in the Austrian state of Tyrol, the institution is home to more than 2,000 animals and welcomes around 300,000 visitors every year.
Stadler holds a degree in Biology from Ruhr-Universität Bochum and a doctorate from Universität Duisburg-Essen.
He now lectures on Zoo Biology at the University of Innsbruck and extends his focus on science education and communication to the Alpenzoo Late Morning Show podcast.
His almost two decades of experience in zoological management, species conservation, and professional association leadership began at Zoo Wuppertal, where he served as curator.
Since then, he has been heavily involved in global zoological and conservation organisations.
His leadership roles include various advisory and executive positions; since April 2018, he has been a member of the Advisory Board for Zoo Biology, Zoology and Ecology of the Schönbrunner Tiergarten-Gesellschaft, and Treasurer of OZO.
He also joined the WKO Examination Commission for Animal Keepers in June 2018, mentors Baku Zoo in Azerbaijan, and previously mentored Zoo Kaliningrad from 2012 to 2019.
Stadler assumed the chairmanship of the EAZA Technical Assistance Committee in April 2019, securing seats on the EAZA Ex Com, M&E, and Council. That same year, he was appointed to the Vdz Board.
His global influence grew further when he joined the WAZA Council in October 2021, representing Europe and Western Asia, and became Secretary of WAZA in October 2023.
Furthermore, he joined the EAZA Conservation Translocation Working Group in February 2023 and was appointed to the Animal Welfare Council of the Republic of Austria in June 2023.
Stadler is also a member of the IUCN SIS, Deer, and Small Mammals Specialist Groups.
In 2024, the IUCN Center for Species Survival (CSS) for Small Mammals was founded at Alpenzoo Innsbruck. This major project demonstrates Stadler's dedication to translating zoo-based conservation into measurable biodiversity impacts.
