ZSL releases 2011 Conservation Review

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ZSL‘s ground-breaking conservation work continued in 2011 with over 200 projects in 50 countries around the world as well as work on both our UK sites - ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Highlights in 2011 included Project Ocean - an innovative “Retail Activism” conservation venture with the British retail giant Selfridges, which is now using sustainable fish products throughout its operations – and a climate change mitigation project in Indonesia which aims to generate sustainable conservation funding from the sale of “tiger-friendly carbon credits”.

In his preface Professor Sir Patrick Bateson, ZSL President, drew attention to the launch of Instant Wild which ‘heralds a new era for the involvement of the lay public in science’. This “Citizen Science” tool consists of a network of remote camera traps in ZSL’s field projects that transmit images directly to a web portal and iPhone application, enabling direct public participation in wildlife monitoring. The application alone was downloaded by over 70,000 people in the week following its release.

Ralph Armond, ZSL Director General, applauded the success and continually widening ambition and scope of ZSL’s pioneering EDGE of Existence programme. Since its inception in 2008 this programme has trained 38 conservation professionals in developing countries, led six expeditions, and developed priority lists for mammals, amphibians and corals.

The achievements described in the 2011 review stress ZSL’s firm focus on science-based conservation. This focus, coupled with the enthusiasm of its staff and support from its donors and partners, ensures that the Society remains ideally placed to lead the international conservation agenda and ensure the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats.