Our animals

UK's only venomous snake
Adder
The adder was once a common sight in large parts of the British countryside but in the last decade it has slipped into decline.
African Elephants are Endangered
African forest elephant
The severe decline of forest elephants in Central Africa is largely a result of the unprecedented levels of poaching for the illegal ivory trade in recent years.
Species
African Savannah elephant
The main threats to the remaining savannah elephant populations in this region are illegal poaching for ivory alongside habitat loss and fragmentation.
The largest of the world’s big cats
Amur tiger
Amur tigers are Endangered in the wild - there may be as few as 540 left in the Russian Far East.
The largest land mammal on the Asian continent
Asian elephant
Nine things you didn’t know about Asian elephants, including the threats they face in the wild and how ZSL is working to protect them
Badgers: 11 things you should know
Badger
Get the lowdown on these iconic stripy-faced mammals with our surprising badger facts!
The species found almost anywhere on Earth
Birds
Learn more about the important bird conservation and protection work carried out by ZSL by experts around the world.
Reducing poaching to secure the future of this iconic animal
Black rhino
We’re working with lots of different partners to find new ways to fight poaching for the illegal wildlife trade – for example, with technology that uses sensors and cameras to detect humans and wildlife.
Sharks, corals and butterflies
Fish and Invertebrates
From clouds of Monarch butterflies flying from the trees after their winter hibernation, or 50 million sardines synchronised together and moving as one, these species are responsible for some of the most awe-inspiring moments on earth.
Gavialis gangeticus
Gharial
This striking crocodilian, known for their long, thin snout, is on the brink of extinction. There are fewer than 650 adults remaining in the wild.
Nomascus hainanus
Hainan gibbon
Hainan gibbons are one of the rarest mammals on Earth. At ZSL, our experts are working to bring the primates back from the brink of extinction.
Reintroducing the hazel dormouse to British countryside
Hazel dormouse
By working together with our conservation partners, we've managed to successfully reintroduce over 1,000 dormice