Gecko is the Zoo Animal of the Year 2024

Dried geckos, gecko powder, pickled geckos: In the name of Chinese traditional medicine, around 15 million geckos were imported from Taiwan alone between 2003 and 2014. These creatures are believed to help with diabetes or erectile dysfunction - although this is not scientifically proven. Superstition has far-reaching consequences for the animal world: Many gecko species are now endangered. These colorful mini lizards are not only important for the ecosystem but also truly fascinating.