UK and mainland Europe
Over the last few centuries the landscape of the UK and much of mainland Europe has altered dramatically. Much of the once wild landscape has been irreversibly altered as land-use changes associated with increased agriculture and urbanisation have spread throughout the region.
Conserving the habitats and species of the region requires some novel approaches to some unique conservation challenges.
Read more about this region
Conservation Challenges
ZSL’s work in the UK and Europe includes the implementation of biodiversity action plans, disease-surveillance, Species Recovery Plans (breeding and reintroductions), and ‘Citizen Science’ in the which the general public play a key role in providing information for, and remedies to, some of the threats to the native species of the region.
Bats
iBats (The Indicator Bats Program) is a partnership between The Zoological Society of London and The Bat Conservation Trust. Together we run a number of national and international bat biodiversity monitoring projects to track changes in global biodiversity. Find out more and how to get invloved at the iBats website
Due to the decline of Bat populations in recent years ZSL Whipsnade Zoo decided to create the perfect habitat for them right in the Zoo grounds. Converting the old lion den into a bat hibernaculum as well as re-landscaping the surrounding area has made Whipsnade the new place to be if you are a flying mammal.
More about the project here
Insects
Insect populations have been declining steadily, including species of honey and bumblebees, butterflies, moths and ants. Factors thought to contribute include climate change, pollution and pesticides and disease. Read about ZSL’s work with insects here.
ZSL London Zoo Habitat Conservation
As part of London Borough of Camden's Biodiversity Action Plan, ZSL is working to create a refuge for urban wildlife, encouraging birds, bats, insects and mammals in and around the Zoo by leaving log piles, building breeding boxes and feeding stations for the local species to flourish in the centre of London. Read more about our habitat conservation initiative here
Birds
Modern farming techniques, pollution, habitat loss, climate change and disease are all threats to wild populations of birds and ZSL works on a number of projects to try and tackle some of these issues. ZSL is also involved in The Garden Bird Health Initiative which aims to promote research and support improvements in prevention of diseases in garden birds. Read about our native bird projects here
Amphibians
The fungus Chytridiomycosis, deadly to amphibians, has recently been detected in the UK, so a nationwide survey is underway to establish facts about the fungus and prevent further population decline.
About the UK Chytridiomycosis survey
Further Reading
Red Kite Leaflet Thames Estuary
The Thames Estuary represents another focal point of conservation efforts at ZSL. A variety of projects are currently running to ensure a sustainable balance is maintained between the conservation of species and habitats found within this working river and the commercial demands that are placed upon it.
From monitoring eel migrations as part of a long term study to find out the reasons for the eels dramatic decline, to pollution and water quality monitoring,to a marine mammal survey which the public are helping to expand by sending in information on sightings, ZSL is dedicated to the Thames and the diverse range of species that inhabit it. More on ZSL's Thames Estuary conservation work
Fish Net
Fish Net aims to establish viable captive breeding populations for many of the critically endangered freshwater fishes. It also aims to develop in-country conservation management plans and raise the profile of these often neglected fishes. More about Fish Net
Site of Special Scientific Interest
The SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) of the White Lion Chalk Grassland at ZSL Whipsnade is an important area rich in biodiversity and ZSL is managing the site to keep it that way.
Read more about the SSSI Chalk Grassland Project here
