ZSL conservation

ZSL mission statement:

To promote and achieve worldwide conservation for animals and their habitats.

ZSL Conservation Review

The first ever ZSL Conservation Review highlights ZSL’s major conservation achievements in 2009 and 2010.

View ZSL's Conservation Review 2009/10

Evolution Lost

‘Evolution Lost’ is a ZSL report produced in collaboration with WWF, IUCN and SSC, on the current status and trends of global vertebrates in relation to human pressures, and what we stand to lose.

View Evolution Lost online

Skill sharing

We have a strong focus on training the next generation of conservation leaders, by helping train rangers in countries such as the DRC, Gabon, Nepal and Kenya to ensure that protected areas are working as effectively as possible.

We also have a Darwin Barlow Award scheme which provides young UK-based scientists with the opportunity to gain experience abroad, and bring in some of the top early career conservationists from around the world to take part in our EDGE training course here at ZSL.

Read about our training programmes (1.9 MB)

Threats to the Natural World

Our work addresses a broad range of threats to biodiversity, such as habitat loss, introduced species and exploitation. We have a particular focus on two major threats: climate change and disease.

New Discoveries

We constantly make new discoveries highlighting the wonders of the natural world– from new species to new ecosystems.

We are committed to communicating conservation messages to the general public, in an effort to create awareness and change values.

EDGE

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

More about EDGE

Defining the status of the planet

ZSL tracks the fate of species and populations in order to gauge human impacts on biodiversity. We produce scientific indicators for global targets and develop analytical approaches to understanding both the current distribution of biodiversity and threats to species.

Read about our findings

ZSL conservation project summaries

ZSL implements a range of conservation and research projects in over 50 countries across the globe. For an overview of some of our flagship projects, please click on the icon to the right.

Our Work

For over 180 years the Society has played an essential role in convening experts to address challenging science and conservation issues, including hosting high-profile public meetings, symposia and national and international workshops.

Throughout the world, ZSL works with governments, civil society and the private sector to conserve species and habitats.

We contribute to building conservation capacity and skills in the UK and abroad, through educational programmes, workshops, Masters and PhD courses and awards supporting young conservationists.

Advising industry and governments

ZSL is not a lobby organization – we simply advise decision makers and are often called upon by business and government. We are scientific advisors to Globe International and produce reports for the UN and scientific conventions.

We also work with major natural resource industries assisting in biodiversity monitoring and advising on best practices and protocols for certification including the FSC and the Marine Stewardship council.

Project Ocean

Project Ocean is in collaboration with Selfridges and aims to engage people in marine conservation. There are two key messages: vote with your fork by eating more sustainably; and support marine protected areas.

Conservation tools

The Society is continually developing new conservation tools. We use techniques ranging from aerial surveys to camera trapping to radio telemetry to block monitoring with 140 elephants.