Turning points for wildlife: the choices that shape species survival

Save the date for the ZSL Bicentenary Symposium in November 2026

Conservationists are no strangers to complex decisions, especially for species on the very edge of extinction. 

At these critical moments, there are different pathways to consider, including bringing the last remaining individuals into carefully managed ex-situ programmes. These complex decisions involve weighing biological, ecological and genetic factors alongside socioeconomic, cultural, ethical and legal considerations. They demand balancing the risks and opportunities of in-situ versus ex-situ management.

This symposium will explore how the conservation community can approach these pivotal decisions with courage, care and collaboration - ensuring that, wherever possible, today’s difficult choices give the most threatened species a real chance at tomorrow.

Organised in collaboration with the IUCN SSC Extinct in the Wild Action Partnership. This symposium will be held in person in London, and live online.

Themes and key topics

A full event programme will be published on this page in due course. Themes of the sessions will include Ecological Stories from the Edge, Indigenous People and Species Rescue, Policy and Politics, and Decision Science. The symposium will also include an Art and Expression drinks reception, open to all attendees, where multimedia artworks will be showcased.

We are also pleased to announce that the plenary will be delivered by Professor Irus Braverman, Professor of Law, Adjunct Professor of Geography, and, Research Professor at the Department of Research and Sustainability at the University at Buffalo.

Who is this event for?

The event will convene scientists, practitioners, policymakers and communicators to discuss, debate and develop guidance on how to navigate responsible species rescue. Anyone is welcome to attend in person or online, but the discussions will be of particular interest to those working in conservation science, decision science and species rescue.