From Zoo Time to Springwatch: Wildlife on Screen

How have different forms of media shaped the way we see nature?

From ZSL’s early role in natural history broadcasting to today’s citizen science, this event will explore how storytelling brings people closer to wildlife - and why it matters for conservation. 

ZSL has a long and rich history with natural history and wildlife broadcasting, from kickstarting David Attenborough's career, to launching our Inside Nature educational resource, to finding creative ways to engage citizen scientists with our research. Through presentations, panel discussions and audience Q&A, this event will explore our fascination with UK wildlife through the lens of broadcasting and how bringing people closer to nature through TV, social media and more, can impact citizen science, and contribute to British wildlife conservation.

Hosted by Billy Heaney, zoologist, wildlife presenter and filmmaker

Billy is a zoologist, wildlife presenter, filmmaker, and keen paddle-boarder, who is a regular panelist on BBC Radio 4's Nature Table with Sue Perkins. He has also presented on BBC Countryfile, featured on ITV This Morning, BBC World Service, BBC Points West and BBC Breakfast, as well as BBC SpringWatch and BBC Earth's digital channels. Billy has previously teamed up with ZSL London and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo for Billy's Day at the Zoo LIVE. Billy is passionate about wildlife and inspiring others to learn more about the natural world.

Speakers

Dr Miles Kempton, Charles Darwin and Galapagos Islands Junior Research Fellow, University of Cambridge

ZSL and the Making of Natural History Television

Miles Kempton is a historian of modern science at the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on natural history filmmaking, animal behavioural science, and conservation. Miles is currently working on two projects. The first is a history of London Zoo’s postwar research and broadcasting culture which culminates in the sensational authorship and publication of Desmond Morris’s bestseller, The Naked Ape (1967). The second brings together the histories of wildlife filmmaking, conservation, and ecotourism in the Galápagos Islands.

Kate Scott-Gatty, London HogWatch Project Manager, ZSL

From images to insights: Camera traps for science and storytelling

Kate manages the London HogWatch project, and specialises in biodiversity monitoring using camera traps. Her work focuses on how monitoring data can aid conservation efforts by gaining insights into population trends and spatial distributions of species. HogWatch engages a large number of volunteers, providing the opportunity for members of the community to get out into nature and help wildlife local to them. Additionally, the project uses citizen science data to better understand hedgehog habitat use across the capital.

Dr Katharina Seilern-Macpherson, Wildlife Veterinarian and Postdoctoral Researcher, ZSL

Using Citizen Science as a tool to monitor Garden Wildlife Health

Katharina's main area of interest is wildlife conservation. In particular, Katharina focuses on infectious and non-infectious diseases that pose threats to free-ranging wildlife populations, and the role of human-wildlife interactions in disease emergence and potential species declines. Katharina works on the collaborative Garden Wildlife Health project, which relies on citizen science to monitor the health of, and identify disease threats to, British wildlife, with particular focus on garden birds, amphibians, reptiles, and hedgehogs. The project counts on the public to submit reports of sick or dead wildlife and to submit samples for analysis.

Watch the full recording of this event