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UK native species conservation
Animal species found in the United Kingdom are an integral part of the countryside and our national heritage
They provide an important resource for food, recreation and tourism, but changes in land use, agricultural and fishing practices, along with climate change, urban sprawl and transport development have resulted in species declines.
Over forty species are internationally threatened (including 9 whales), and in the last century 170 species of plants and animals became extinct in the UK.
ZSL is engaged in direct conservation action through captive breeding and reintroduction programmes, as well as site management at our two zoos. We also provide indirect conservation support through health surveillance, research, education and awareness raising.
Find out how you can join our Wild Adoption Programme and help support a threatened native species.
For the past 17 years, ZSL has carried out health surveillance for Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme (SRP), including projects on the field cricket Gryllus campestris , barberry carpet moth Pareulype berberata, pool frog Rana lessonae, sand lizard Lacerta agilis, cirl bunting Emberiza cirlus, corncrake Crex crex, red kite Milvus milvus , common dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius and red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris.
Helping red kites | |
 The red kite reintroduction programme has proved to be one of the greatest British conservation success stories of recent years, but these lovely birds are still at risk from poisoning and other threats. This guide outlines the main threats to red kites and what you can do to minimise them. Read more
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Health Surveillance for the Species Recovery Programme | |
 For the past 17 years, ZSL has carried out health surveillance for Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme (SRP), including projects on the field cricket , barberry carpet moth, pool frog, sand lizard, cirl bunting, corncrake, red kite, common dormouse and red squirrel. Read more
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Corncrake conservation | |
 The corncrake - the only globally threatened bird to breed regularly in the UK - started to disappear from the English countryside more than a century ago.
Read more
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Field cricket conservation | |
© Dave Clarke Habitat loss and alteration of grasslands has led to the drastic decline of the field cricket, to the point that during the late 1980s this species was reduced to a single surviving colony in Sussex of less than 100 individuals.
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Habitat conservation - ZSL London Zoo | |
 At London Zoo we are a partner in the London Borough of Camden’s Biodiversity Action Plan, and we are increasingly managing the whole site as a refuge for urban wildlife.
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Habitat conservation - ZSL Whipsnade Zoo | |
 Whipsnade Wild Animal Park occupies an area of 245 hectares and offers a range of important habitats for wildlife including ancient woodland, chalk downland and wetland.
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Wild Adoption Programme | |
© Dave ClarkeJoin the ZSL Wild Adoption Programme and help support national and international conservation projects.
Find out more
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