His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla today (Thursday 9 July) joined ZSL (Zoological Society of London) to celebrate our 200th anniversary, recognising our two centuries of scientific discovery, wildlife conservation and action to restore nature around the world.
The visit marked His Majesty King Charles III's first official engagement as our Patron, a role that has been held by the reigning monarch since 1830. It was also Her Majesty The Queen's first official visit to ZSL.
Their Majesties met conservationists, scientists, veterinarians, educators and animal care experts whose work is helping species recover, advancing wildlife health knowledge and inspiring people to protect the natural world.
Celebrating 200 years of conservation
Founded in 1826, we have spent 200 years shaping the way we understand, care for, and protect wildlife.
During the visit, Their Majesties heard how ZSL is building on this legacy to address some of the most urgent challenges facing wildlife today, with a spotlight on ZSL’s ambition to tackle the growing threat of emerging disease.
The anniversary celebration also highlighted our rich scientific heritage. Charles Darwin was a Fellow of ZSL, and ZSL played a significant role in the development of his evolutionary science during the nineteenth century. Before setting off on HMS Beagle in 1831, Darwin sought advice from our experts, and upon his return they helped identify the specimens he collected. Today, that same spirit of curiosity continues through our research, which informs conservation policy and practice worldwide.
Putting wildlife health at the heart of conservation
A key focus of the visit was on our work to improve understanding of wildlife health and the vital role it plays in protecting biodiversity.
Their Majesties learned about our plans for a new wildlife health centre, announced as part of our 200th anniversary celebrations earlier this year. The centre will build on a long history of veterinary innovation that began in the nineteenth century and continues today through globally significant research and conservation programmes.
ZSL scientists and veterinarians work to understand diseases affecting wild animals, identify emerging threats to biodiversity and support conservation efforts both in the UK and internationally. Their work includes monitoring diseases that threaten vulnerable species, training wildlife health professionals and helping improve global understanding of how diseases move between wildlife, livestock and people.
The proposed wildlife health centre, located at our headquarters in Regent’s Park, aims to strengthen the UK's capacity to monitor and respond to wildlife disease at a time when environmental change is creating new challenges for species around the world.
Conservation success stories from around the globe
The visit also showcased some of ZSL's longest-running and most successful conservation programmes.
His Majesty met conservationists working to safeguard Partula tree snails, a group of species once driven to the brink of extinction in French Polynesia. For more than 40 years, ZSL has led international efforts to rescue and recover these threatened snails, bringing together a global network of conservation partners to protect surviving populations and restore species to their native forests.
Today, thousands of Partula snails have been returned to the wild as part of one of the world's most successful invertebrate conservation programmes. During the visit, The King helped prepare two snails that will form part of the latest release later this year.
The story demonstrates how sustained conservation action, scientific expertise and international collaboration can help reverse declines and prevent species from disappearing forever.
Inspiring the next generation
As part of the celebrations, Their Majesties met young people taking part in educational activities linked to ZSL's mission to inspire future conservationists.
Education has been at the heart of ZSL's work for generations, helping millions of people connect with nature and understand the importance of protecting wildlife. Through school programmes, community engagement and public outreach, the charity continues to encourage people of all ages to take action for the natural world.
Looking ahead to ZSL's third century
Throughout the day, Their Majesties met colleagues from across ZSL's diverse areas of work, recognising the expertise and dedication that underpin the charity's conservation impact.
From restoring species and advancing wildlife health science to influencing policy and inspiring public support for nature, ZSL's work continues to evolve to meet the challenges facing wildlife in the twenty-first century.
As ZSL celebrates its bicentenary, the visit provided an opportunity to reflect on 200 years of achievement while looking ahead to an ambitious future: one where science, conservation and collaboration help create a world where wildlife thrives.