Bookings now open 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.
Find all information on tickets and booking links below.
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.
Bookings for the Turning Points for Wildlife symposium are now open
The price of in person symposium tickets includes all refreshments and lunch throughout the day(s). Discounted tickets are available for ZSL Fellows and students, and discounted ticket holders will be asked to present a valid ID on registration at the symposium.
- Full price 1 day: £100.00
- Full price 2 days: £190.00
- ZSL Fellow/Student 1 day: £50.00
- ZSL Fellow/Student 2 days: £95.00
- Online attendance 2 days: £60.00
Book a two-day ticket to attend in person
Book a ticket for Day 1 (Monday 16th November) only
Book a ticket for Day 2 (Tuesday 17th November) only
Book a two-day ticket to attend online
Ticket bookings will close at 00:01 on Monday 9th November.
Please note, information on speakers, talks and sessions are all subject to change, and further speakers will be added to this list in due course.
Please refer to this page for the most up-to-date information on the Symposium.
| Speaker | Talk title (subject to change) |
| SESSION 1: Ecological Stories from the Edge | |
| Prof John Ewen, ZSL | In situ management from the brink – keeping it wild |
| Dr Omar Domínguez-Domínguez, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Mexico | The spectrum of outcomes: Mexican freshwater fish |
| Dr Caroline Lees, Conservation Planning Specialist Group | Blurring the lines ex situ & in situ/ black footed ferret |
| Prof Jim Groombridge, DICE, University of Kent | Opportunity lost – too little too late for Hawaiian Po'Ouli |
| SESSION 2: Social Science | |
| Prof George Holmes, University of Leeds | Motivations for and against species rescue |
| Dr Laura Perry, IUCN SSC CEC Behaviour Change Task Force | Integrating behaviour change into species rescue and recovery strategies |
| SESSION 3: Indigenous people and species rescue | |
| Jeff Quitugua, Guam Department of Agriculture | Experiences from Guam |
| Bret Nainoa Mossman, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii | Experiences from Hawaii |
| Tony Juniper, Natural England | Day 1 closing words |
| SESSION 4: Policy and Politics | |
| Megan Laut, US Fish & Wildlife Service | Species rescue and management policy |
| Mike Hoffman, ZSL | Species conservation and the IUCN: Threat Categorization, Red List and Green Status tools within rescue – the pros and cons |
| Barney Long, Re:Wild | Impacts of policy and politics on recovery actions |
| Dr Topis Contreras MacBeath, Autonomous University of the State of Morelos, Mexico | Safe under human care – the last barrier to extinction? |
| SESSION 5: New Boundaries | |
| Dr Axel Moehrenschlager, Panthera | No home, no problem – future proofing via conservation introduction of species |
| Prof Tammy Steeves, University of Cantebury | It’s never too late - De Extinction for conservation benefit |
| Rachel Jones, ZSL | Rescuing the Chagos Brain coral in the face of a warming ocean |
| SESSION 6: Decision Science | |
| Dr Stefano Canessa, Universitat Bern | Biological risks and structured approaches along the one plan spectrum |
| Dr Eben Paxton, US Geological Survey | Balancing ecological uncertainty and culture in rescue of a Hawaiian honeycreeper |
| Jonathan Wilken, Amphibian Ark | Conservation Needs Assessment and amphibian conservation |
| Caitlin Andrews, ZSL | Getting them back – managing risk in ex situ management and re-establishment in the wild for EW species |
- Recording disclaimer: The presentations and Q&As will be filmed during this event. Please be aware that by attending this event you consent to be filmed or your voice to be recorded during any Q&A session, the resulting video of which will be shared with attendees.
- Location: This is a two-day symposium, held in person at the Huxley Lecture Theatre, ZSL Meeting Rooms, Outer Circle, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK.
- For enquiries about this symposium, please contact scientific.events@zsl.org
- For press enquiries, please contact the ZSL Press Office: press.office@zsl.org
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