Our blogs
Making a difference for wildlife.
At ZSL, we are proud of the work we do. To give you an insight into the work our conservationists, scientists, and volunteers achieve on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, take a look at our latest blog posts below.
- ZSL Library
- Our Origin of species first edition
On the Origin of ZSL’s Origin
9 May 2023Solving the mystery of our Origin of Species copy, where it came from and why we didn't receive a copy until forty years after it was first published.
- Colonial past of early zoologists
Alfred Russel Wallace and colonialism
28 February 2023On 24 October 1858, on the island of Bacan, a young Malay boy called Ali shot and took into his possession a bird which had been seen and in all likelihood shot for its plumage many times before by the local islanders.
- Artefact of the month
Mark Catesby and his enduring legacy
2 December 2022Mark Catesby was one of the most influential naturalists of the early 18th century, and his famous work remained an authority on American natural history for over 100 years!
- Artefact of the month
Maud Horman-Fisher - Zoological artist and illustrator
20 February 2022Maud Horman-Fisher provided 21 illustrations for Proceedings of the Zoological Society between 1884 and 1894 for 18 published papers.
- Trailblazing entomologist
Maria Merian and herpetology
25 November 2021Maria Sybilla Merian (1647-1717) was a trailblazing entomologist, scientific traveller, artist and herpetologist. She is increasingly well known for her work on insects and their life-cycles but she also planned to publish a book on reptiles.
- Sculptures at ZSL are an important part of our heritage
Engaging with sculptures at ZSL Library & Archives
9 September 2021Sculptures can be found in ZSL Library & Archives and across the site of ZSL London Zoo, they engage, inspire and delight visitors.
- The women that have shaped our charity
Famous women in our history
8 March 2021Famous women who have shape our history, from helping establish ZSL to pioneering the reptile house at London Zoo.
- A daring heist
Lepidochromy - nature-printing of butterflies and moths
15 December 2020A few weeks ago I came across a word new to me - ‘Lepidochromy’, a term I had simply not come across in my career. It is a technique of ‘nature-printing’, using the imprint of butterfly or moth wings.
- Artefact of the month
HERpers : Women and herpetology
1 March 2020As we celebrate Women's History Month and International Women's Day we look at women with an interest in amphibians and reptiles - HERpers.
- Artefact of the month
Celebrating 200 years of Joseph Wolf
20 January 2020Joseph Wolf is arguably one of the most talented animal artists that has ever lived, and the 22nd January 2020 marks the bicentenary of his birth.
