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THE ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY of SCOTLAND Annual Review 2013 GREAT DAYS out for a GOOD CAUSE CONTENTS

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THE ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY of SCOTLAND Annual Review 2013 GREAT DAYS out for a GOOD CAUSE CONTENTS THE ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND Annual Review 2013 GREAT DAYS OUT FOR A GOOD CAUSE CONTENTS Our Oriental short-clawed otter, Elena has given birth to four litters, with the most recent in March 2013 2 PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT 3 CHAIR’S STATEMENT 4 CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S STATEMENT 6 OUR MEMBERS 7 COMMUNICATIONS 8 EDINBURGH ZOO 12 HIGHLAND WILDLIFE PARK 14 CONSERVATION 16 CONSERVATION SCIENCE 18 DISCOVERY AND LEARNING 19 FUNDRAISING AND SPONSORSHIP 20 FINANCIAL SUMMARY 21 ACCOUNTS 22 BOARD, HONORARY FELLOWS AND PATRONS 23 SOCIETY STRUCTURE 24 ANIMAL ADOPTION HONOUR ROLL 25 ABOUT US Image courtesy of Ivon Bartholomew II Annual Review 2013 • Contents Annual Review 2013 • Contents PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT CHAIR’S STATEMENT WHAT MAKES AN ORGANISATION GREAT? THERE ARE Achievement in 2013 was demonstrated in As ever, I am deeply grateful to all those THERE WERE A NUMBER OF TIMES IN 2013 WHEN MY It has resulted in us being the benefactors Highlights were not confined to the Zoo though, MANY ADJECTIVES AND PHRASES THAT ARE USED BUT many ways. Excellent visitor numbers led RZSS people – the volunteers, the staff, MIND TURNED TO THOMAS GILLESPIE, THE FOUNDER OF of an incredible organisation whose as visitor numbers to the ever-improving to a superb financial outcome; moreover, the management and the board. conservation reach can be felt both around Highland Wildlife Park reached another record. I SUGGEST THAT THERE ARE AT LEAST THREE WORDS I understand we had high levels of customer RZSS, AND I WISHED HE WERE STILL HERE SO I COULD the globe, where we are recognised as leaders Our two magnificent Amur tiger cubs, vital to THAT CAN BE APPLIED TO THE ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL satisfaction. And our charitable goals were My profound thanks to you, the members, THANK HIM PERSONALLY FOR MAKING HIS VISION FOR in species genetics and captive breeding; the future conservation of their species, were SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND ACHIEVEMENT, AMBITION also addressed: our conservation continued for your continuing and intense support. A ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY IN SCOTLAND A REALITY. and here at home where we operate two of no doubt one reason for the record, as were – in Scotland and as far afield as Brazil, Africa Scotland’s most popular visitor attractions, our red panda cub, wolf cubs and new pair AND CULTURE. and the Middle East; our research has led us offering hundreds of thousands of people of wolverines, but there is so much more to to become world experts in species genetics the opportunity to engage with animals and see there! and our education work saw us engaging to find out more about the issues facing the with people across all of Scotland. John Spence continued survival of species on this planet. The Scottish Wildcat Conservation Action President Plan which will guide wildcat conservation The ambition of RZSS is an ongoing feature. 2013 was of course the centenary year was launched in the autumn and in recognition We saw it in the drive to bring giant pandas to for Edinburgh Zoo and there were so many of our expertise, RZSS will establish a captive Edinburgh. In 2013, it was highlighted by the highlights. My particular favourites include breeding programme using genetically scale, professionalism and creativity which the launch of Penguins Rock, our refurbished screened wildcats to help create and maintain characterised the whole of the Edinburgh Zoo penguin pool where we welcomed our a long-term sustainable population. Further centenary programme and a centenary gala wonderful birds home again to an enclosure afield, the work our scientists do related to dinner which reminded the people of Scotland befitting of its status as a jewel in our crown; rhino horn and elephant tusks is critical and just what an asset we are. Ambition lies at the opening of the Koala Territory on the actual demonstrates that there is still much to do for the heart of our plans for the future with the birthday of the Zoo itself which a few months so many critically endangered species around campaign to build a discovery centre precinct. later blessed us with the sight of the first the world. Our work at home and abroad is baby koala to be born on British soil; and more important than ever. Image courtesy of F Mollers Image courtesy of Ivon Bartholomew Culture is much less tangible but whenever the spectacular gala dinner at the National I am with RZSS people, I find an intellectual Museum of Scotland which generated So, my thanks to staff, members, volunteers and emotional commitment, a passion for the significant funds for our conservation work. and the board for helping make 2013 such Society to succeed, a belief in what we stand a memorable one and ultimately, to Thomas for and a drive to make things better next year Gillespie, for making it all happen. than they were the year before. Prof Jeremy A Peat Chairman Image courtesy of Ivon Bartholomew 2 Annual Review 2013 • President’s Statement Annual Review 2013 • Chair’s Statement 3 CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S STATEMENT The breeding highlight of the year at HWP was the birth in May of our new tiger cubs Murray and Viktor THERE ARE TRADITIONAL WAYS OF MEASURING Scientifically, thanks to our staff’s skills and We saw our outreach work take on a new THE PERFORMANCE OF AN ORGANISATION SUCH AS expertise, we completed a genetic map of dimension when the Clydesdale Bank Europe’s beavers, allowing the diversity and entered into a partnership with us focusing THROUGH INCOME, EXPENDITURE AND VISITOR NUMBERS, origins of our Scottish animals to be revealed. on engaging local communities with nature, AND AGAINST ALL THESE CRITERIA WE NOT ONLY MET which began in 2014. BUT EXCEEDED OUR TARGETS IN 2013. HOWEVER, THERE Together with a team of international experts, our veterinary surgeons carried out the first Much of the year was spent re-shaping and ARE OTHER WAYS TO MEASURE OUR PERFORMANCE artificial insemination project on giant pandas refocusing in order for us to maintain and WHICH GIVE ME AS MUCH PLEASURE AS REPORTING in the UK. Although it did not ultimately deliver improve performance across the whole THE STATISTICS ABOVE. a panda cub, we know it was successful in organisation. We welcomed a new chief getting our panda pregnant. operating officer/managing director who carried out a review of the visitor services We hosted an international giant panda and presentations functions, the results symposium sponsored by Jaguar Land Rover of which seen later in 2014. In recognition China, who came on board as major partners of the importance of our conservation work, for us last autumn. Their sponsorship is the we created a director of conservation beginning of a most welcome and meaningful position too, which will allow for a more relationship which will explore opportunities strategic performance in this area. for cooperation across science, education and research with the ultimate goal being 2014 will see us building on our rapidly the conservation of the giant pandas. growing reputation as an organisation which offers unique and in-demand skills around the globe. Work will also begin in earnest for fundraising and awareness of our new Discovery Precinct as well as for our native species conservation work. When I come to pen this piece again next year, I am in no doubt that it will be to report a continued strong performance with even stronger local connections, both with people and nature. Chris West Chief Executive Officer 4 Annual Review 2013 • Chief Executive’s Statement Image courtesy of Alex Riddell Annual Review 2013 • Chief Executive’s Statement 5 OUR MEMBERS COMMUNICATIONS MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS ARE ON THE RISE AGAIN Regular visitors have also been making use We also hosted two member/adopter nights. Public relations As well as being featured in many prime time Marketing Customer insight was also big for us in 2013: − WE ENDED 2012 WITH 22,309 MEMBERS AND of our exclusive facilities in our online Members’ Both Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife We continued to feature strongly in the press, wildlife and magazine television shows like Outdoor advertising was a particular focus for we are learning more and more about our Portal. The portal features our famous panda Park stayed open late, giving people a chance with over 9,000 stories relating to the Society The One Show and Spring Watch, we were the marketing team during 2013, with various visitors to both parks, which helps us to SAW A 9.7% INCREASE WITHIN THE YEAR, BRINGING cam, bulletin boards, photo galleries and to meet keepers, see animal feeds and hear appearing in newspapers, magazines, on also fortunate to be featured in a special creative campaigns for both Edinburgh Zoo develop campaigns and promotions that US TO A TOTAL OF 24,482 MEMBERS. new features such as discounts to Keeper animal talks. Both events attracted significant television and online in a total of 26 countries. BBC TV documentary Animal Magic – One and Highland Wildlife Park. In particular, new interest them. Experiences and access to our online shop. crowds – with 364 at the Highland Wildlife Park Our PR team also won two industry Hundred Years of Edinburgh Zoo, which was and exciting advertising appeared on the floor Members still have their own allocation of tickets event and over 1,000 coming to Edinburgh Zoo. acknowledged awards. broadcast in July. at Queen St Station in Glasgow, on rickshaws We also continued to work with our various to pre-book for panda viewing slots. Currently, during the Edinburgh Festival and on an corporate partners: Wisemans Dairies, Fox we have 6,304 active users, an increase of We also re-introduced life membership in Media interest in the giant panda breeding Online inflatable billboard in the Highlands.
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