Emily Brennan - Native Species Co-ordinator

How many species in the UK are currently threatened?

There are around 1000 UK species that are declining including some that are now threatened such as dormice, red squirrels and house sparrows. The species are mainly being lost due to loss of food and habitats but research projects are carried out to find out the exact cause of the declines.

So it’s not just an increase in pet cats that have cause the decline of house sparrows?

No we think it’s more than that, particularly a loss of the insects that they eat. However domestic cats are thought to kill 6 billion birds a year, which has an effect on bird populations. Best thing to do is put a bell on pet cats as this warns the birds that they are coming!

Are dragon flies and damsel flies becoming extinct?

Some species of both have become extinct in the last 50 years and this is probably due to 80% of ponds being lost. In London particularly, gardens are often concreted over for extra parking spaces and some gardens are even being built on so there is less and less water for these species that need it.

Is there lots of wildlife in London Zoo?

There is a lot! Over 50 species of wild bird have been spotted at the zoo, including a population of house sparrows that is one of the largest in the capital. There are also a nesting group of grey herons in Regents Park that you may spot here in the zoo particularly around the pelican pond or penguin pool as they are hoping to get some extra fish. There are species of bat such as the pipistrelle that hunt for insects around the canal at night. Other mammals such as foxes, grey squirrels, brown rats and sometime hedgehogs have also been spotted in the zoo. There are also lots of insects including many butterflies and moths that can be seen along the woodland walk on the north side of the zoo.

Do ZSL do any work with red kites?

The veterinary department here examines red kite carcasses that are bought in to assess why the bird has died. A large proportion of the red kites’ diet are rodents and they will sometimes eat dead rodents that have been killed by rodenticides. We have also made a useful leaflet that is a good practice guide for landowners in England to help with the conservation of red kites.

Are there any specific areas around the zoo where wildlife lives?

As mentioned already there is the woodland walk with bat and bird boxes in some of the trees and also this wildlife garden that we are sat in front of. There is also the bee hive area behind bugs, a green roof on top of the komodo dragons, water and sunshine garden and also many hedgerows around the zoo that native species live in.

What can you do if you spot an unusual animal in your garden?

If you spot an interesting looking animal in your garden and you think it looks unusual you can take a picture and email or send it in to someone here at ZSL who can try and identify it for you. If we haven’t got the particular expertise here for that animal we’ll know the right people to forward it onto.

What can people do to help with the conservation of native species?

Look on the wildlife trust website for tips and information, come and volunteer at places such as ZSL London Zoo with native species projects, have a natural pond in your garden or wildlife areas in your garden at home.