Role of the Modern Zoo

In Role of the Modern Zoo students explore how zoos have changed over the last two centuries and what their place is in modern society. Using ZSL's zoos as a case study, they will discover how zoos are working to protect wildlife all around the world and bring species back from the brink of extinction. They will see how this purpose shapes the key activities that zoos engage in, including public engagement, scientific research, conservation breeding programmes and wildlife reintroductions, and will try their hand at a number of key decisions that are made within these areas.

Age: KS4 (14-16 years)

Duration: 50mins

Capacity: 35 students

Outdoor workshop

Botzman the Amur tiger at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Intended learning outcomes:

Students will be able to:

Gain an understanding of how zoos work to conserve endangered species through scientific research; captive breeding programmes; reintroduction programmes and education
Identify different biological methods that zoos use to help conserve animals and their habitats
Explain why different species may be housed in zoos
Outline the different factors that need to be considered when running a breeding programme, including an animals family tree and its health history

Additional Resources:

Support your students' learning before, during and after thier visit with our Online Teaching Resources

Specification Links:

AQA GCSE Biology (8461)

4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems	4.7.3.1 Biodiversity	Biodiversity is the variety of all the different species of organisms on earth, or within an ecosystem. A great biodiversity ensures the stability of ecosystems by reducing the dependence of one species on another for food, shelter and the maintenance of the physical environment. The future of the human species on Earth relies on us maintaining a good level of biodiversity. Many human activities are reducing biodiversity and only recently have measures been taken to try to stop this reduction.
	4.7.3.6 Maintaining biodiversity	Students should be able to describe both positive and negative human interactions in an ecosystem and explain their impact on biodiversity. Scientists and concerned citizens have put in place programmes to reduce the negative effects of humans on ecosystems and biodiversity. These include: breeding programmes for endangered species protection and regeneration of rare habitats

OCR GCSE (9-1) Gateway Science Biology A

Topic B6: Global challenges

B6.1 Monitoring and maintaining the environment

B6.1b describe both positive and negative human interactions within ecosystems and explain their impact on biodiversity
B6.1c explain some of the benefits and challenges of maintaining local and global biodiversity

Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Biology

Topic 9 – Ecosystems and material cycles

9.1 Describe the different levels of organisation from individual organisms, populations, communities, to the whole ecosystem
9.3 Describe the importance of interdependence in a community