Investigating the mystery of strandings | Wild Science

Channel 
Conservation

Investigating the mystery of strandings | Wild Science

In this month's Wild Science we meet a team of ZSL scientists who essentially act as the CSI of the sea. It is their job to forensically investigate any mysterious strandings of whales, dolphins and porpoises around the UK.

The Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme has been investigating these strandings for the past 25 years, including the recent mass stranding of sperm whales in Europe. Find out what this work involves, what they have found out about possible causes and what this could mean for the future of these enigmatic creatures.

Warning: Video contains graphic footage of post-mortem examinations.

Featured Videos

Baby hippo Hodor with mum Lola

Meet Hodor the baby hippo

Giraffe heights at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Caring for our giraffe's feet

Pair of African hunting dogs at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

African hunting dogs explore new...

We're on youtube

Stay up to date with the latest videos

Visit our youtube channel

Browse all videos

Rubi with her birthday present at ZSL London Zoo

Happy 10th birthday Rubi!

Lioness Rubi celebrated her 10th birthday with a giant birthday present...

Watch the video
Rainforest Life Keeper cam

Explore Rainforest Life with our ‘keeper-cam’!

Explore Rainforest Life with our London Zoo ‘keeper-cam’!

Watch the video
Giraffe at ZSL London Zoo on our keeper cam

Keeper's eye view

Ever wondered what a zookeeper’s day is like? Take a peek with our keeper...

Watch the video
Giraffe calf Khari outside in the sunshine

Khari in the sunshine

Our giraffe calf Khari, born on 26 April 2019, has been enjoying the...

Watch the video
Elio the baby sloth at ZSL London Zoo

Meet baby Elio

Meet Elio our adorable baby sloth at ZSL London Zoo!

Watch the video
A Humboldt penguin lays her eggs at ZSL London Zoo

Amazing moment a penguin lays her egg on World Penguin Day

Zookeepers capture the moment three-year old Humboldt penguin Braccino lays...

Watch the video
Daenarys the penguin in Penguin Beach

Keepers'-eye view of Penguin Beach

Get the zookeepers’-eye view down at Penguin Beach.

Watch the video
A tiger cub at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Father and son

Amur tiger cub Makari cuddles up with dad Botzman at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.

Watch the video
Brightly coloured eggs were stuffed with tasty crickets for our coatis

'Eggs’ marks the spot

Keepers at ZSL London Zoo shelled out on an eggs-tra special surprise for...

Watch the video
Poco with his birthday present

Happy first birthday Poco!

Poco turns one on 31 March 2019 and keepers treated him to an early birthday...

Watch the video
Marilyn and Lento with Mother's Day flowers

Happy Mother's Day Marilyn!

Our two-toed sloth Marilyn was treated to some beautiful flowers for Mother'...

Watch the video
Luna the giraffe

Up close and personal with our giraffes

Come face-to-face with the tallest mammal in the world at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo...

Watch the video
Effie eating at ZSL London Zoo

Did somebody say food?!

Effie is well-known in the Zoo for her huge appetite and will happily steal...

Watch the video
Nuru the giraffe enjoys her birthday treat at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Happy third birthday Nuru!

Nuru the giraffe celebrated her third birthday on 24 February 2019 with a...

Watch the video
A blue monitor lizard at ZSL London Zoo

Batanta and his puzzle box

Blue monitor lizards are known for their amazing ability to problem solve....

Watch the video
Keepers have been busy taking stock of each invertebrate, bird, fish, mammal, reptile and amphibian

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo's annual 2019 stocktake

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo’s keepers began the mammoth task of counting every animal...

Watch the video
Meet the Lions at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Meet the Lions at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Be one of the privileged few to get up close and feed our pride of African...

Watch the video
Meet the Giraffes at Whipsnade Zoo

Meet the Giraffes at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Get up close to the world's tallest animals with this special Meet the...

Watch the video
Cheetah at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Happy International Cheetah Day!

We celebrated International Cheetah Day on 4 December 2018!

Watch the video
Meet the Giraffes at ZSL London Zoo

Meet the Giraffes at ZSL London Zoo

Our Meet the Giraffes video shows you what to expect when you book this...

Watch the video
Meet the Rainforest at ZSL London Zoo

Meet The Rainforest Experience at ZSL London Zoo

Watch what happens in our Meet the Rainforest experience!

Watch the video
Meerkat at ZSL London Zoo

Meet the Meerkats at ZSL London Zoo

Meet our inquisitive meerkat family whilst feeding them their favourite...

Watch the video
A Humboldt penguin at ZSL London Zoo

P-P-Penguin Time!

Meet our Head of Birds, Zuzana, as she talks about our fantastic colony of...

Watch the video
Sumatran tiger Jae Jae at ZSL London Zoo's annual stocktake

ZSL London Zoo's annual stocktake 2019

In January 2019, zookeepers at ZSL London Zoo dusted off their clipboards,...

Watch the video
Amur tiger cub with a Christmas stocking

It’s a Whipsnade wonderland for our animals this Christmas

December 2018 was the very first Christmas for ZSL Whipsnade Zoo’s three...

Watch the video
Rainbow with her cuddly toy penguin

Meet some of 2018's new arrivals!

As 2018 draws to a close, we're looking back at some of our new arrivals...

Watch the video
Meghan the okapi on her first birthday

Happy first birthday Meghan!

Meghan the okapi celebrated her first birthday on 3 December 2018 with tasty...

Watch the video
Amur tiger cub at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Our Amur tiger cubs are still as cute as ever!

Our Amur tiger cubs - Czar, Makari and Dmitri - will be six months old in...

Watch the video
Gernot and Alika investigate the birthday present

Kumbuka celebrates his 21st birthday

Happy birthday to Kumbuka who turned 21 on 15 November 2018

Watch the video
Western lowland gorillas at ZSL London Zoo enjoy Halloween treats

Our gorillas explore a giant pumpkin patch

Breakfast time had a macabre makeover for our gorillas in October 2018 at...

Watch the video
Rodrigues fruit bat at ZSL London Zoo

Visit our fang-tastic animals

Visit our fang-tastic animals at ZSL London Zoo!

Watch the video
Meghan the okapi with keeper Gemma

Happy World Okapi Day!

Meghan the okapi celebrates World Okapi Day 2018!

Watch the video
African elephants in Kenya

Animals of the Savannah

Animals of the Savannah is a stunning new collection inspired by African...

Watch the video
Rainbow the penguin chick at ZSL London Zoo

Premature penguin saved by heroic keepers at ZSL London Zoo

Discover how Rainbow was saved by heroic keepers at ZSL London Zoo

Watch the video
Naya and Amur tiger cubs at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Our tiger cubs are starting to open their eyes!

Our adorable Amur tiger cubs at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo were born on 23 June 2018...

Watch the video
Naya and Amur tiger cubs at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Amur tiger cubs born at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo!

Four endangered Amur tiger cubs were born to mum Naya and dad Botzman in...

Watch the video
Marilyn and Lento

Lento loves to wake mum up to play

Our adorable baby two-toed sloth Lento loves to wake mum up for a play.

Watch the video
A Humboldt penguin at ZSL London Zoo

Spring is in the air!

Watch the video
Counting the squirrel monkeys in ZSL Whipsnade Zoo's annual stocktake

ZSL's annual stocktake - 2018

ZSL's keepers have been counting the animals in the annual stocktake 2018....

Watch the video
Marine biologists from ZSL are completing the 2017 annual seal survey

ZSL's conservation highlights of 2017

As we near the end of 2017, we take a look back at some of the year's...

Watch the video
Hanuman langur Kamala at ZSL London Zoo

Meet some of the new arrivals at ZSL London Zoo this year!

As we near the end of 2017, we're looking back at some of the new arrivals...

Watch the video
Baby hippo Hodor with mum Lola

We look back at some of ZSL Whipsnade Zoo's new arrivals in 2017

As 2017 draws to a close, we take a look back at some of ZSL Whipsnade Zoo's...

Watch the video
Brown bears at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Meet the newest brown bears at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Cinderella and Snow White joined us in November 2017 and are settling in...

Watch the video
Dominic Jermey, ZSL Director General

Meet ZSL's new Director General Dominic Jermey

Meet ZSL's new Director General Dominic Jermey who was appointed in November...

Watch the video
Baby hippo Hodor with mum Lola

Meet Hodor the baby hippo

Say hello to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo's latest arrival, Hodor the baby hippopotamus...

Watch the video
Sumatran tiger

ZSL is working for a future with tigers

On International Tiger Day, 29th July, discover how ZSL is working for a...

Watch the video
Giraffe heights at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Caring for our giraffe's feet

Ever wondered how you give a giraffe a pedicure? Our dedicated keepers here...

Watch the video
HM The Queen opens Centre for Elephant Care

HM The Queen opens Centre for Elephant Care

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo’s brand new Centre for Elephant Care was given the royal...

Watch the video
Pair of African hunting dogs at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

African hunting dogs explore new home at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Our five-strong pack of sisters moved to their new home in Spring 2017.

Watch the video
Aye-Aye baby and mum

Aye-aye love you mum

Aye-aye mum Salem caught showing off her parenting skills in footage...

Watch the video
Sumatran tiger Achilles

Zoo babies of 2016

As the year draws to a close, we take a look back at some of the adorable...

Watch the video
Seals spotted during the 2016 seal survey

ZSL: Working for wildlife in 2016

It's been another great year for Science and Conservation at ZSL, discover...

Watch the video
Living nativity promo

Living Nativity

Experience the magic of Christmas by enjoying ZSL London Zoo’s Living...

Watch the video
Sensations education session

What happens on a school visit to ZSL London Zoo?

Bring your pupils along for a visit at ZSL London Zoo and discover all that...

Watch the video
Curious Creatures: Okapi

Curious Creatures: Okapi

Discover fascinating facts about the elusive okapi in our latest Curious...

Watch the video
Elizabeth

Elephant calf Elizabeth loves to play!

Elizabeth the Asian elephant loves playing in the sand!

Watch the video
With Wildlife campaign banner Elephant

Imagine a world without wildlife

ZSL are working for a world #WithWildlife.

Watch the video
Male Hihi bird

Hihi Conservation: The Science of Reintroduction

Find out about the science behind the reintroduction of New Zealand's rare...

Watch the video
scientists use binoculars to look for seals

Spotting seals on the Thames - 360° Video

Experience a seal survey in this 360 video.

Watch the video
Seal survey 2016

Annual survey shines a light on Thames Estuary’s seals

Did you know there were seals in the Thames?

Watch the video
Male badger. Image (c) Seth Jackson

Badgers may not spread TB to cattle through direct contact

Close contact between badgers and cattle may not be responsible for the...

Watch the video
Sir David Attenborough with Komodo dragon

Komodo dragon house renamed in honour of Sir David Attenborough

Sir David Attenborough joined staff at ZSL London Zoo to mark the official...

Watch the video
Mountain Chicken Frog

Battling one of the fastest species declines on record | Wild Science

Find out how scientists are battling to save the mountain chicken from...

Watch the video
Komodo Dragon Ganas walking

Komodo Dragon | Curious Creatures

Discover more about the world's largest lizard and the clever method it uses...

Watch the video
Elizabeth the Asian elephant calf

Say hello to Elizabeth the elephant calf!

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo are celebrating the birth of a rather regal Asian elephant...

Watch the video
Manta rays

Exploring one of the world's most protected oceans

Find out about the Chagos Archipelago, one of the world's last pristine...

Watch the video
Take the #OneLess pledge!

Take the #OneLess pledge to tackle plastic pollution!

Will you take the #OneLess pledge?

Watch the video
ZSL health-check for Royal ravens

ZSL health check for royal ravens

Ravens at the Tower of London get a health check.

Watch the video
Sir David Attenborough and Bulu the orangutan

Happy Birthday Sir David Attenborough!

Find out how Sir David Attenborough has inspired ZSL staff to work for...

Watch the video
An ocelot with dinner, caught on camera trap in Panama

Animals caught on conservation 'Speed Cameras'

ZSL scientists use camera-traps as animal 'speed cameras'.

Watch the video
Penguin Beach

What is the role of the modern zoo?

Prof. David Field explains the role and responsibilities of a modern zoo and...

Watch the video
Land of the Lions

Land of the Lions | 360° Tour | Temple Ruins

Take a 360 degree tour of part of ZSL London Zoo's new immersive exhibit...

Watch the video
Forest Guard Training

Could you be a Forest Guard?

Try out this interactive video to find out if you have what it takes to be a...

Watch the video
Indian high street inside Land of the Lions

Land of the Lions | 360° Tour | High Street

Take a 360 degree tour of the High Street in our brand new Land of the Lions...

Watch the video
Meet our Hanuman langurs

Hanuman Langur | Curious Creatures

This week's Curious Creature is the cheeky Hanuman langur. Find out more...

Watch the video
Xena serval

Meet Xena - our all-action serval!

Find out about ZSL London Zoo's all-action new arrival, Xena the serval.

Watch the video
Bhanu

What inspired Land of the Lions?

Find out how life around India's Gir forest inspired the design of Land of...

Watch the video
A mother Asiatic lion walking with her two cubs in the Gir forest, Gujarat, India.

Protecting Asiatic lions in the Gir Forest

Find out how ZSL and its partners are working to protect the majestic...

Watch the video
HM The Queen and HRH The Duke observing Asiatic lion

Land of the Lions gets Royal seal of approval!

Land of the Lions has been given a royal opening by HM The Queen and HRH The...

Watch the video
Pygmy sloth climbing

Tracking the world's smallest sloth | Wild Science

How difficult is it to track the world's smallest and slowest sloth?...

Watch the video
Gentle lemur

Gentle Lemur | Curious Creatures

This week's Curious Creature is the fabulously fuzzy gentle lemur!

Watch the video
Stranded killer whale, © ZSL

Banned pollutants threaten Europe’s remaining orcas

Find out why Killer whales are facing the threat of extinction in European...

Watch the video
Melita Samoilys Grouper survey in Chagos

ZSL: Working for Wildlife in 2015

Highlights of how ZSL has been working for wildlife in 2015.

Watch the video
Corfu Killifish

Saving the Corfu Killifish

Find out about how ZSL are working to protect the Critically Endangered...

Watch the video
Golden orb-weaver

Golden Orb Weaver Spider | Curious Creatures

This week's Curious Creature is the fascinating Golden Orb-Weaving Spider....

Watch the video
Aye aye

The secret life of the mysterious Aye-Aye

Find out about the most mysterious creature at ZSL London Zoo!

Watch the video
West African dwarf crocodile

Awesome crocodile feeding footage!

Zoo keepers at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo have been using a GoPro to record how the...

Watch the video
Surinam Toad

Surinam Toad | Curious Creatures

This week's Curious Creature is the bizarre-looking Surinam Toad.

Watch the video
Eel Animation

The Amazing Life Cycle of the European Eel

Find out about the incredible life cycle of the Critically Endangered...

Watch the video
Conservation

ZSL - Let's Work For Wildlife

At ZSL our vision is a world where animals are valued, and their...

Watch the video
A Redback Spider, Latrodectus hasselti, in the Bugs! exhibit at ZSL London Zoo.

Are Spiders Dangerous?

Find out how spiders are actually more likely to save your life than do you...

Watch the video
Butterfly on flowers in the Butterfly House exhibit.

Butterfly Paradise at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Get up close to some of natures most beautiful creatures!

Watch the video
In With The Spiders

Get 'In With the Spiders' at ZSL London Zoo

Get closer to one of nature's most fascinating creatures!

Watch the video
Asiatic lion on road, Gir

Help ZSL protect the Asiatic lion

ZSL are working to secure the future of the critically endangered Asiatic...

Watch the video
Baby Camels

Baby camels become best friends!

Watch these two baby camels become the best of friends!

Watch the video
Lemur in In with the Lemur exhibit

How do you build a Madagascan forest?

Go behind the scenes and find out how our Horticulture team brought this...

Watch the video
Whipsnade Visitor Centre - outside view

New Visitor Centre launches at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Check out ZSL Whipsnade Zoo's brand new Visitor Centre!

Watch the video
A screengrab from the Go for Salamander video

Go for salamander

This film documents the awareness-raising campaign 'Go For Salamander' based...

Watch the video
Jewel wasp curious creatures

Jewel Wasp | Curious Creatures

Learn about the jewel wasp - the insect body-snatcher!

Watch the video
What is a pangolin?

What is a Pangolin?

Find out all about the amazing and critically endangered pangolin.

Watch the video
Llamas at the Stocktake 2015

Animals stand up to be counted at ZSL London Zoo

The animals at ZSL London Zoo lined up two by two to be counted by their...

Watch the video
Mountain chicken frog nest

Saving The Mountain Chicken Frog | Breeding

Learn about how ZSL are helping to breed Mountain chicken frogs on their...

Watch the video
Chinese Giant Salamander

Chinese Giant Salamander | Curious Creatures

This week's Curious Creature is the amazingly weird Chinese Giant Salamander...

Watch the video
Chinese giant salamander

Giants on the Edge

Find out about how ZSL are working to save the Chinese giant salamander.

Watch the video
Caiman lizard curious creatures

Caiman Lizard | Curious Creatures

This weeks Curious Creature is the magnificent caiman lizard.

Watch the video
Grey slender loris

Grey Slender Loris | Curious Creatures

This week's Curious Creature is the rather odd looking grey slender loris....

Watch the video
Ethiopian Wolf

ZSL and the IUCN Red List

Find out how ZSL and the IUCN Red List work together to conserve some of the...

Watch the video
Beaded Lizard Curious Creatures

Beaded Lizard | Curious Creatures

This week's Curious Creature is the ancient and mysterious beaded lizard....

Watch the video
Longhorn cowfish Curious Creatures

Longhorn Cowfish | Curious Creatures

This week's Curious Creature is the adorable looking longhorn cowfish.

Watch the video
Komodo Dragon

How To Train Your Dragon

Learn about how we train our amazing Komodo dragons.

Watch the video
Axolotl Curious Creatures

Axolotl | Curious Creatures

Find out about the ancient and mysterious Axolotl and its amazing powers of...

Watch the video
Releasing the mountain chicken frogs in Montserrat

Mountain chicken frogs released on Montserrat

Find out what happened when Critically Endangered mountain chicken frogs...

Watch the video
African Bullfrog looking for a name

Help us name our bull frog!

Our bull frog has moved into his brand new home and now he needs a name.

Watch the video
Pangolin on a tree hugging a branch.

Eating pangolins to extinction - Video

The enigmatic pangolin, or scaly anteater, is literally being eaten out of...

Watch the video
Lions400

ZSL launch Lions400 Campaign

Lions400 is the Zoological Society of London's campaign to secure the future...

Watch the video
Meet the Rainforest

'Meet the Animals' experiences

Find out more about the brand new Meet the Animals experiences launched at...

Watch the video
Miniature donkeys Trevor and Tulip at the Hullabazoo Farm at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.

Meet Trevor and Tulip the miniature donkeys!

They may be small in size but they have massive personalities!

Watch the video
The Duke of Cambridge arrives at ZSL and is met by Ralph Armond and Sir Patrick Bateson.

United for Wildlife Symposium at ZSL

HRH The Duke of Cambridge joined the United for Wildlife organisations at a...

Watch the video
Photo of Winnie the bear with her keeper, with a background illustration from Winnie the Pooh book.

The bear who inspired Winnie-the-Pooh

Learn the fascinating story about the bear who inspired Winnie-the-Pooh.

Watch the video
Prince William and Charles visiting Conservation Science

Royalty meet conservation leaders at ZSL London Zoo

TRH The Duke of Cambridge and The Prince of Wales meet conservation leaders...

Watch the video
Lookout Lodge at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

ZSL - A Year in Review 2012

Here are some of the key highlights of ZSL's work during 2012.

Watch the video
Harbour Seal in the Thames

ZSL Seal Survey 2013

Did you know there are seals in the Thames?

Watch the video
Chagos island

Chagos Environment Outreach Project

ZSL have teamed up with the ...

Watch the video
Screenshot of first footage of West African seahorse

First video of elusive West African seahorse

First ever footage of a little known species of seahorse.

Watch the video
Pygmy sloth climbing

The Search for the Pygmy Three-toed Sloth on Escudo

Two ZSL EDGE scientists set out on a population survey of critically...

Watch the video
Jae Jae, a Sumatran Tiger, at ZSL London Zoo.

Saving Sumatran tigers in Berbak National Park

Find out how ZSL are working to save wild Sumatran tigers.

Watch the video
Pygmy hippo caught on camera trap

First film footage of the endangered pygmy hippopotamus in Liberia

This film, shot in Sapo National Park, 2011, is the first to capture a wild...

Watch the video
Chagos coral reef

Project Ocean - fish are worth more to humanity than gold

Find out all about Project Ocean.

Watch the video
Red panda cub at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Ask A Keeper - Red Pandas

Our expert keeper Hayley Jakeman answers your questions about red pandas....

Watch the video
IoZ staff and students 2013

About the Institute of Zoology

Find out about the work of the Institute of Zoology in this video.

Watch the video
Sumatran tiger captured on a camera trap

ZSL Camera Trap Captures Footage of Elusive Sumatran Tiger

ZSL is able to monitor the tiger population in specific areas through the...

Watch the video
Sumatran tiger bones

ZSL conservationists discover remains

ZSL tiger biologist, Citra, and her team are on a routine patrol in Berbak...

Watch the video
Squirrel monkey playing with camera

ZSL Video Channel

Welcome to the ZSL Video channel!

Watch the video