The Biologische Station Wilheminenberg was founded by the biologist couple Otto and Lilli Koenig in response to the ground-breaking research in the field of comparative ethology, including the work by Konrad Lorenz. The research institute was established in abandoned army barracks in the outskirts of Vienna's 16th district Ottakring at the onset of the Vienna Woods, and endowed with substantial space and facilities supported by private means.