ZSL Science

🦋 ZSL is now also posting on Bluesky! Join us over there for the latest science and conservation updates: bsky.app/profile/zsloff…

🚨🚨🚨We have advanced to ROUND 2 of the @IndianapolisZoo Uproar Conservation Challenge! 🚨🚨🚨 Voting is already underway for Round 2 & will end on 23 March 23:59 Eastern Time. Spread the word & cast your votes to keep the butterfly in the competition! uproar.indianapoliszoo.com

Voting has now opened for Round 1 of the @IndianapolisZoo Uproar Conservation Challenge! #Uproarchallenge Our friends @eButterfly_org posted this blog why you should vote for the spectacular Queen Alexandra's Birdwing! e-butterfly.org/en/content/the… Vote here: uproar.indianapoliszoo.com

We’re delighted that two of our @ZSLMarine partnership projects in North Wales, @ProjectSIARC and Menai-Connecting Coasts, have received funding from the Nature Networks Programme, delivered by @HeritageFundUK , on behalf of Welsh Government. This funding will enable Project SIARC, led by our science-led conservation charity and @NatResWales , to expand our work in Pen Llŷn a’r Sarnau Special Area of Conservation (SAC); supporting continued collaboration with local fishers, including the tagging of key shark species to reveal their movements and habitat use. It will also enable the creation of an Ocean Observatory, generating vital data to help better understand and manage Welsh marine protected areas. Further, Project SIARC will widen opportunities for people to get involved in marine conservation, strengthen community-focused initiatives and deepen local knowledge of sharks, skates and rays The funding for Menai-Connecting Coasts will allow the continuation of our seascape recovery planning and capacity-building work in and surrounding the Menai Strait and Conwy Bay SAC. Collaborating with Bangor University, our project will co-develop a five-year Seascape Restoration Plan, advance marine habitat recovery and monitoring work, and strengthen inclusive community engagement and capacity. The project will also expand opportunities for local communities to get involved through citizen science, co-creation workshops and bilingual outreach—helping build the partnerships, evidence and community stewardship needed for resilient coastal habitats. Thanks to the Nature Networks Programme for supporting our work. Find out more on the ZSL website. Rydyn ni’n falch iawn bod dau o’n prosiectau partneriaeth forol yng Ngogledd Cymru, Prosiect SIARC a Menai-Cysylltu Arfordiroedd, wedi cael cyllid gan y Rhaglen Rhwydweithiau Natur, sy’n cael ei darparu gan y Gronfa Dreftadaeth, ar ran Llywodraeth Cymru. Bydd y cyllid hwn yn sicrhau bod Prosiect SIARC, sy’n cael ei harwain gan ein helusen gadwraeth dan arweiniad gwyddoniaeth a Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, yn ehangu’r gwaith yn Ardal Cadwraeth Arbennig (ACA) Pen Llŷn a’r Sarnau; gan gefnogi cydweithio parhaus â physgotwyr lleol, yn cynnwys tagio rhywogaethau siarcod allweddol er mwyn gallu gweld eu symudiadau a’u defnydd o gynefinoedd. Bydd hefyd yn galluogi creu Arsyllfa’r Môr, gan gynhyrchu data hanfodol i helpu i ddeall a rheoli ardaloedd morol gwarchodedig Cymru yn well. Ar ben hynny, bydd Prosiect SIARC yn ehangu cyfleoedd i bobl gymryd rhan mewn cadwraeth forol, yn cryfhau mentrau sy’n canolbwyntio ar y gymuned ac yn dyfnhau gwybodaeth leol am siarcod a morgathod Bydd y cyllid ar gyfer Menai-Cysylltu Arfordiroedd yn rhoi cyfle i ni barhau â’n gwaith o gynllunio adferiad morwedd a meithrin gallu yn ACA Afon Menai a Bae Conwy. Gan gydweithio â Phrifysgol Bangor, bydd ein prosiect yn cyd-ddatblygu Cynllun Adfer Morwedd pum mlynedd, yn datblygu gwaith adfer a monitro cynefinoedd morol, ac yn cryfhau ymgysylltiad a chapasiti cymunedol cynhwysol. Bydd y prosiect hefyd yn ehangu cyfleoedd i gymunedau lleol gymryd rhan drwy brosiectau gwyddoniaeth i ddinasyddion, gweithdai cyd-greu ac allgymorth dwyieithog – gan helpu i feithrin y partneriaethau, y dystiolaeth a’r stiwardiaeth gymunedol sydd eu hangen ar gyfer cynefinoedd arfordirol gwydn. Diolch i’r Rhaglen Rhwydweithiau Natur am gefnogi ein gwaith. Mae rhagor o wybodaeth ar gael yma: zsl.org/.../habitats/m… @WGClimateChange 📷 Rhianna Parry

The Darwin Tree of Life project aims to sequence the genomes of all organisms in Britain and Ireland, and at ZSL we’re starting with birds 🐥 Listen to the latest episode of #ZSLWildScience podcast to find out why: open.spotify.com/show/6oXspubfl…

The hazel dormouse declined dramatically due to habitat loss in the UK 🐭 This behind-the-scenes work is giving this iconic woodland species a second chance. Find out more about Dr Tammy Shadbolt important work through our oral archive project 👉 zsl.org/200/dr-tammy-s… @ZSLconservation @ZSLScience

We're delighted to announce Kathryn England as ZSL's permanent Chief Executive Officer. Kathryn has been at ZSL for over 10 years and brings deep institutional knowledge, a background in wildlife health, and an unshakeable commitment to our mission. We couldn't be more excited about what comes next – for ZSL, for wildlife, and for the natural world.

“One of the biggest barriers women face in conservation is taking up space.” Across our global @ZSLconservation programmes, women are helping shape the future of how wildlife and communities are supported, bringing knowledge, resilience and lived experience to their work. This #InternationalWomensDay, we’re celebrating the voices of women across our networks and the change they are driving across the world. This video features three of those fabulous females: Hannah Lee-Williams — Community Equity, Rights and Social Safeguards Technical Specialist, @ProjectSIARC (Wales) Fridah Mutili — Community Conservation and Fairer Programme Advisor (Kenya, @ZSLAfrica) Marynoll Susmena — Fisheries Biologist (Philippines) #IWD2026

If you’re aged 16–25, or know someone who is, nominations are now open! Join us for our info webinar on 15th March at 6pm to find out more. Find more details, submit a nomination and register for the webinar here: zsl.org/about-zsl/awar…

Young people across the UK are shaping a future where nature can thrive. Our Young Wildlife Conservationist of the Year Award celebrates those whose actions are already making a difference for wildlife - through conservation, creativity, advocacy or campaigning 🏆

Last year, Professor Andrew Cunningham received the BVA Advancement of Veterinary Science Award (Dalrymple-Champneys Cup and Medal) In a new blog, he reflects on what the award meant to him and his ZSL work 📖 👉 ow.ly/7fb350YneS0 Nominate here 👉 ow.ly/AxfE50YneRZ

What stories can DNA tell us about how animals have survived in the face of a changing environment? 🧬 Listen to the latest episode of the #ZSLWildScience podcast to learn more: open.spotify.com/episode/6VXYCz…

📣 In-person tickets for this event are now sold out! But you can still join us live online, or join the waitlist to be there in person on 10th March. Find out more and reserve your ticket: zsl.org/news-and-event…

January marked 20 years since a northern bottlenose whale stranded in the Thames. In this blog, written by @strandings_man, explore London's whale encounters through history, and what they can tell us about the present-day status of marine mammals 🐋 zsl.org/news-and-event…

🚨🚨🚨Publication alert! Our paper on EDGE crayfish & their vulnerability to climate change is online now in Animal Conservation: doi.org/10.1111/acv.70… Blog post: zsl.org/news-and-event… @EDGEofExistence @ZSLScience @ProtectSpecies @IUCNssc @FW_Conservation @IndianapolisZoo

We published our first Proceedings in 1826, sharing groundbreaking zoological research. Two centuries later, we're still at the forefront of conservation science, leading the way to a world where wildlife thrives. #ZSLat200 @zslscience zsl.org/news-and-event…

We're delighted to wish a very happy 200th birthday to @ucl 🎉 Since 1826, UCL and ZSL have been at the forefront of ecological innovation, driving action to protect wildlife, combining academic research with real-world conservation. Here's to another 200! #UCL200

Join us for the second Wild Talks event of the year, hosted by @mslucycooke to celebrate the pioneering women who shaped ZSL's history, and those who continue to tackle conservation challenges today 🌍 Book your free ticket for 10th March now: zsl.org/news-and-event…

TOMORROW – watch our brand new short film on YouTube ⭐ Guardians of the Small spotlights one of our longest-running conservation projects, through the eyes of two of our longest-serving members of staff. We're ZSL, a science-driven conservation charity celebrating 200 years working to restore wildlife in the UK and around the world. For almost forty years, we've been working to save the partula snail from extinction — and leading the way has been long-time colleagues and firm friends, Paul Pearce-Kelly and Dave Clarke. Led by their passion for nature and pioneering spirit, Paul and Dave's dedication has helped protect and restore partula snails and all they represent to the local ecosystem and culture. Thanks to their work, 2025 saw the Partula tohiveana snail downlisted from extinct in the wild to critically endangered — a species on the road to recovery and a huge conservation milestone. Set your reminder now and join us live at 7pm on Wednesday 11 February to catch the very first glimpse of this epic tale of two heroes fighting to save an underdog species from extinction: youtube.com/watch?v=pNocpc… The ongoing work by experts from our conservation charity to protect species around the globe is made possible with thanks to players of @PostcodeLottery .

Tune in at 7pm Wednesday 11 February for our FREE online film premiere ⭐ Guardians of the Small celebrates ZSL’s 200th anniversary by telling the story of how we’ve been working to save the partula snail from extinction for almost four decades. Leading the way for all that time has been long-time colleagues, and friends, Paul Pearce-Kelly and Dave Clarke. Through the passion, dedication and commitment – to both the snails and their friendship – Paul Pearce-Kelly and Dave Clarke have helped to ensure partula snails, and all they represent to the local ecosystem and culture, have been protected. Head over to youtube.com/watch?v=pNocpc… and set your reminders now, join us live on Wednesday evening to catch the very first glimpse of this epic tale of two heroes fighting to save this underdog species from extinction.

Read more about our role as host to some of the most famous scientific debates in history, and join us at a Wild Talks event in 2026 to be part of the story 👇 zsl.org/news-and-event…

This year, we’re celebrating our origins in scientific debate with our Wild Talks Lecture Series – six special evenings celebrating two centuries of scientific discovery, while looking ahead to the next 200 years #ZSLWildTalks

200 years ago, @OfficialZSL was established ‘for the general advancement of zoological science', bringing together the likes of Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace at scientific meetings to shape the future of zoology