Research Projects

Research at the Institute of Zoology is organised into five Research Themes :

We carry out a wide range of research projects, a selection of which are detailed below.

	Garden Bird Health initiative Promotes the conservation and welfare benefits of the supplementary feeding of garden birds. Garden Bird Health initiative (GBHi)
	Indian Vulture Declines Over the last decade, two of India's commonest 'griffon' vultures, have declined by more than 90%. This project is investigating the cause of this decline and its impact. Vulture Rescue Project
	Bushmeat Research Programme This programme of research encompasses a range of projects, aiming to better understand both the biological and socio-economic drivers of unsustainability in the bushmeat trade. IoZ Bushmeat Research Programme
	Addressing a threat to Caribbean amphibians: capacity building in Dominica This project aims to build capacity on the island to address disease threats to Caribbean amphibians. Amphibian Conservation in the Caribbean
	Tsaobis Baboon Project The Tsaobis Baboon Project is a long-term study of a desert baboon population in Namibia. Tsaobis Baboon Project
	UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme We coordinate the investigation of all whales, dolphins and porpoises (collectively known as cetaceans), marine turtles and basking sharks that strand around the UK coastline. UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme
	Disease Risk Analysis and Health Surveillance for Interventions We are developing methods to analyse the risk of disease from interventions, such as reintroductions, undertaken for conservation purposes, using qualitative analysis and pre-and post-release health surveillance. Disease Risk Analysis and Health Surveillance for Interventions

	Badger Cattle Contact Project Researching the potential for direct and indirect transmission of TB between badgers and cattle at study sites throughout Cornwall. Badger Cattle Contact Project
	Indicators and Assessments Unit Through the Indicators and Assessments Unit, ZSL tracks the fate of species and populations in order to better understand this impact. Indicators and Assessments Unit
	The EDGE of Existence programme The EDGE of Existence programme aims to conserve the world's most Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species by implementing the research and conservation actions needed to secure their future. EDGE website
	The Indicator Bats Program iBats aims to generate data on changes in bat species distributions and abundances across the world to evaluate the impact of global change on biodiversity iBats
	Cheetah & Wild Dog Conservation ZSL has recently joined a range wide conservation planning initiative aiming at reversing declines in the distribution and abundance of African wild dogs and cheetahs. The project thus involves mapping wild dogs and cheetahs across their range, aiming to reverse declines in the distribution and abundance of African wild dogs and cheetahs. Cheetah & Wild Dog Conservation Planning Process
	Building capacity and determining disease threats to endemic Galapagos taxa Dedicated to conducting research, surveillance and monitoring of disease threats to endemic Galápagos species. The Galápagos Genetics, Epidemiology and Pathology Laboratory
	Tanzania Carnivore Conservation Program Tanzania’s importance for carnivore biodiversity is internationally recognised. This project has a special focus on two species of carnivores that are particularly threatened: cheetahs and wild dogs.
	Hihi Conservation The hihi (or 'stitchbird') has become extinct from most of its former range in New Zealand and it's likely that the only remaining natural population exists because of the pristine nature of the habitat there. Consequently, re-establishing a self-sustaining population in coexistence with tui and bellbird is considered an acid test for ecological restoration in New Zealand. To find out more visit: HihiConservation.com