At ZSL, we’re working to restore wildlife across the world.
Climate change and human activity are putting a huge amount of strain on our planet. The 2024 Living Planet Index, compiled by our scientists, indicates a 73% decline in the average size of monitored wildlife populations between 1970 and 2020.
The message is clear – we are cutting away at the very foundations of life, but with urgent action we have the power to reverse this.
We need global leaders to put nature at the heart of decision making, but we also know that conservation action works in taking major steps to reverse this change. Here are seven ways that we are working to restore nature and reverse this decline in global biodiversity.
Protecting Marine Ecosystems
Coral reefs are precious aquatic ecosystems that play a vital role in climate regulations and nutrient cycling, and urgent action is needed to protect them and the species that call them home.
These aquatic ecosystems cover around 71 per cent of the earth’s surface - but over half of coral reefs have already been lost.
We work across the globe to restore marine habitats. In Wales, we’re working with fishers and using underwater cameras to study the elusive sharks, skates and rays that live beneath the waves. In the Atlantic Ocean, we’re collecting plastic pollution to understand its impacts on marine wildlife. Meanwhile, our Cetacean Strandings Investigation team work to collect data from stranded whales, dolphins, sharks, seals and marine turtles to understand the threats these animals face.
Restoring Species to the Wild
Extinct in the wild species are the most threatened species on the planet – found only in human care.
From tiny snails to forest birds, the survival of these species depends solely on the specialist care provided by conservation zoos and aquariums – such as ZSL’s Whipsnade and London Zoos.
We played a part in successfully re-establishing the Scimitar-horned oryx to Chad, which has led to the species being downlisted from extinct in the wild to endangered – a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through conservation action. Meanwhile, our scientists and specialist bird keepers at London and Whipsnade Zoo have helped introduce the first blue and orange feathered sihek to the wild in almost 40 years, and after decades of work we’ve now confirmed the re-establishment of Partula snails in French Polynesia.
By working together to save the world’s most threatened species, we’re not only helping nature to recover, but we’re also showing the power of conservation in restoring a world where wildlife thrives.
Nature Based Solutions
Nature-based solutions are key to tackling the interconnected issues of climate change and biodiversity loss. From restoring reefs of water-filtering oysters to building greener, cooler cities, these solutions:
- Protect, sustainably manage, and restore ecosystems
- Addressing societal challenges
- Benefit human well-being and biodiversity
Well-implemented and sustainably scaled, these solutions are a low risk, low cost, low maintenance answer to tackle both the climate crisis and biodiversity loss.
Nature-based solutions benefit people as much as they benefit wildlife. Our research shines a spotlight on how large-scale nature recovery in cities can protect those living in them from the impacts of climate change, while coordinated approaches to land use allows governments to simultaneously tackle multiple issues such as food security, housing and carbon emissions.
Alongside our cutting-edge research, we’re working in the Philippines to restore mangroves – shrubs and trees that thrive in salty water that protect against erosion, store carbon and provide food for people and wildlife. We’ve already replanted an area of mangroves the size of 1,2600 football pitches, and helped get mangrove swamps included in 12 marine protected areas.
Supporting Conservation Finance
Everyone has a role to play in addressing the biodiversity crisis.
It is estimated that we need $1 trillion a year in finance to protect and restore biodiversity globally. 80% of this is going to come from the private sector.
Collaborations between investors, conservationists and organizations are key to that develop and implement projects across the word.
From developing bonds that help boost southern white rhino numbers to working with financial institutions looking to bring biodiversity into their decision making, we’re engaging with the private sector to help everyone be part of the journey to build a world where nature can thrive.
Saving the World’s Most Unique Wildlife
The Earth is home to many wonderful and unique species. While the Western Ghats in India is home to frogs that spend most of their lives underground, in Madagascar aye-ayes use their thin, long middle fingers to find bugs burying beneath tree bark.
Collectively known as EDGE species (Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered) these animals all sit at the very edges of the Tree of Life while also being on the verge of extinction. Each species represents an irreplaceable part of our world’s biodiversity and evolutionary history that we can’t afford to lose.
As well as researching priority species and region to protect evolutionary history, we’ve been championing these species since 2007 through our EDGE of Existence Programme, investing in conservationists at the grass-roots level and supporting them to become world experts working to support these weird and wonderful species – from critically endangered pygmy three-toad sloths to lemon sharks.
Working with Local Communities
When nature thrives, we all thrive.
From deforestation to overexploitation, unsustainable human activity is currently pushing our planet to its limit. Precious habitats and the vital systems that they support – from providing food to clean water – are under threat. But by working together with people across the world, we’re working to better understand and protect the natural world.
Community engagement is fundamental to sustainable conservation. In Nepal and India, we’re working alongside local communities in the Terai Arc Landscape to help diversify livelihood options and reduce human-wildlife conflict. In Wales we’re working with fishers to build our understanding of the rare sharks, skates and rays that call its water’s home. In Cornwall, our farmer-led badger vaccination work helps us better understand the role of vaccination in tackling bovine tuberculosis.
We know that conservation works. Recent ZSL-led research has highlighted the power of conservation in protecting species, and the work of our scientists, field teams and conservation zoos has led to several extinct-in-the-wild species – such as Scimitar-horned oryx and Partula snails – being returned to the wild once more.