Species

Some of the world's most iconic threatened species are mammals, such as the majestic big cats or persecuted Black Rhinos. Projects working with both high-profile and relatively unkown mammals from an important core of ZSL's conservation work. These projects are also closely linked with the work of our zoos, where animals act as both ambassadors and safeguards against the extinction of wild populations. Find out about Flagship Species.

Read about mammal conservation.

ZSL has a number of important bird projects, from saving Indian vultures from rapid population declines to using the most innovative new techniques to monitor Antarctic penguins remotely.

This work has involved the birdkeeping expertise of ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, the research of the Institute of Zoology and conservation action in the field.

Read about bird conservation.

Reptiles and amphibians are some of the most threatened groups on the planet. Pressures such as the deadly chytrid fungus , illegal trade, habitat loss and climate change have led to predictions that a large proportion of all reptile and amphibian species could go extinct over the next century. ZSL is working to save several species and to keep tabs on chytrid fungus in the UK. See reptiles and amphibians at ZSL London zoo.

Year of the Frog

Relatively little public attention is focussed on fish and invetebrate species compared to animals like tigers, but they are no less important. These smaller rapidly-reproducing species can also be most likely to be effectively helped by conservation breeding. ZSL's projects range from helping to establish the world's largest Marine Protected area, the Chagos Archipelago, to breeding and reintroducing the UK's red barbed ant.

Read about Fish & Invertebrete conservation

The EDGE of Existence programme is the only global conservation initiative to focus specifically on threatened species with a significant amount of unique evolutionary history.

EDGE species have few close relatives on the tree of life and are often extremely unusual in the way they look, live and behave, as well as in their genetic make-up. They represent a unique and irreplaceable part of the world’s natural heritage, yet an alarming proportion are currently sliding silently towards extinction unnoticed.

Read about Edge species

Breeding in captivity provides a safety net for vulnerable species and a way of bolstering dwindling populations. It involves managing captive groups so they remain genetically healthy and self-sustaining.

In some cases, habitats exist to which new animals can be reintroduced. In other cases, we can do little more than hold captive populations of species already extinct in the wild.

Read about conservation breeding.