ZSL Institute of Zoology Review 2013/2014 INSTITUTE OF ZOOLOGY REVIEW 2013/2014 SCIENCE FOR CONSERVATION The Zoological Society of London Registered Charity in England and Wales: no 208728 zsl.org Regent’s Park London NW1 4RY and at: ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Dunstable Bedfordshire LU6 2LF For a closer look at ZSL’s work, look out for our other annual publications at zsl.org/about-us/zsl-annual-reports ZSL The Year in Review 2013 ZSL Conservation Review 2013 Our annual overview of the year, An in-depth look at our field featuring our zoos, fieldwork, conservation and research, science, engagement activities showing how we are achieving our and ways to get involved. key targets at home and abroad. IoZ RESEARCH STRATEGY We run a programme of meetings OUR AIM OUR ACTIVITIES and publications: To undertake and promote relevant HEFCE-funded programme • Journal of Zoology and high-quality zoological and conservation We undertake research and research training Animal Conservation research, to help ZSL achieve its conservation in the following themes: • Annual programme of evening objectives, and to inform and influence • Behavioural and Population Ecology science and conservation events conservation policy. • Biodiversity and Macroecology • Biannual international symposia on topical themes in conservation biology • Evolution and Molecular Ecology • Technical publications to support • People, Wildlife and Ecosystems best practice in zoos (International Zoo OUR OBJECTIVES • Wildlife Epidemiology Yearbook) and in field conservation 1. Encouraging and rewarding (Conservation Reports) excellence in the performance and We provide education through MSc • Conservation Science and Practice book communication of science, conservation and PhD programmes. series published with Wiley-Blackwell and animal husbandry 2. Attracting and engaging a diverse range of Science Plan With University College London people and organisations in the science of The major topics: We maintain and develop research links zoology and conservation – from students • Biodiversity patterns and processes with genetics, evolution and environment, How can we explain and model biological and other relevant departments, notably to leaders in their field diversity at a range of spatial, temporal and the Centre for Biodiversity and Environmental 3. Using our unique convening role as a biological scales? Research. We aim to maximise the leading learned society to foster and • People and the environment in a opportunities for shared graduate training achieve international excellence in science changing world at masters and doctoral level. relevant to our core conservation priorities How can we manage wild species and habitats sustainably alongside human We contribute to London-wide activities in 4. Managing and developing a relevant and population growth and development? ecology and evolution through membership useful body of zoological knowledge of the Centre for Ecology and Evolution. 5. Providing policy makers, conservationists With the rest of the Zoological Society and the general public with the of London With institutions in London We respond to research questions We maintain and develop research links with information needed to make informed and contribute to ZSL’s academic bodies, especially the Centre for decisions on conservation issues Conservation Programmes: Ecology and Evolution. We run MSc courses 6. Raising the profile of conservation • Conservation Breeding and in wild animal health and wild animal issues and priorities, and ensuring Reintroduction; EDGE; Indicators biology with the Royal Veterinary College they are well represented at policy and Assessments; Marine and and an MSc in conservation science. level and in the media Freshwater; Wildlife Health • Africa; South and Central Asia; Our research is influenced by London-based Southeast Asia; Mongolia; UK and Europe conservation issues. Our programme of talks communicate science and conservation. We respond to research questions and contribute to ZSL’s living With other organisations animal collection: We collaborate with most relevant outside • Animal health and welfare research bodies for our core research interests. Our • Reproductive monitoring programme of talks communicate science and conservation. 2 ZSL CONSERVATION REVIEW 2013 ZSL SCIENCE REVIEW / WELCOME Welcome The President and Director General of the Zoological Society of London introduce the Institute of Zoology Review 2013/2014. This will be my last foreword for Science for I am proud to introduce you to the IoZ annual Conservation, the Institute of Zoology Review. review. Conservation decisions need to be informed After a decade as President of the Zoological by the best available scientific evidence. ZSL is very Society of London, I am stepping down and passing fortunate, therefore, to have a team of extremely on the baton to Professor Sir John Beddington. talented scientists working to help address Sir John will no doubt be familiar to everyone conservation issues of global importance. The pages through his recent role as the UK Government’s that follow illustrate the breadth of their science – Chief Scientific Advisor, but he is also a research scientist with a monitoring species under threat, understanding the causes of species worldwide reputation in the field of applied population biology. He declines, investigating wildlife disease, exploring the processes that has just the credentials needed for the role of President, and I can step impede human-wildlife coexistence, and much more besides. down knowing that I will be leaving the Society in excellent hands. The review not only tells you about the work being done in IoZ, One of the things I have been most proud of from my tenure as but it also highlights how our research, programme of scientific events President is helping the Institute of Zoology (IoZ) go from strength and conferences, and publications raise the profile of conservation to strength. Government assessments of the science that is carried issues and influence policymakers, conservationists and the public. out there have shown it moving up the national rankings in research We are also deeply committed to training and educating the next excellence. In 2010, a panel of independent reviewers described it as generation of conservationists. IoZ hosts a growing number of PhD a “world-class organisation” and, while I readily admit to being biased, and MSc students, and helps young people gain valuable conservation I can only agree with their view. In the pages that follow, you can read experience through short-term internships. about some of the ongoing research projects being carried out by IoZ Our success and influence would not be possible without the scientists, illustrating why it has the reputation it does. I can also step support of many external collaborators, most notably through our down knowing that I will be leaving the Institute in excellent shape. partnership with University College London, and the wide range of Looking to the future, I can only see a greater need for an organisations that generously fund our research. I would like to take organisation that carries out science for the benefit of the global this opportunity to thank them all for their continued support. conservation effort. The challenges of the next decade will not be Finally, Professor Tim Blackburn stepped down as Director of Science less than those of the one I have just presided over, but I am sure the in 2014. I’d like to thank him for his leadership of the Institute over the Institute and its scientists will continue to rise to meet them. I wish past seven years. I’d also like to welcome his successor, Professor Ken them all the very best in their work to make the world a better place Norris, who joins us as Director of Science after 17 years at the University for animals and their habitats, and for people. of Reading. I look forward to IoZ going from strength to strength. Professor Sir Patrick Bateson FRS Ralph Armond President, Zoological Society of London Director General, Zoological Society of London ZSL SCIENCE REVIEW 2013/2014 3 ZSL SCIENCE REVIEW / NEWS Institute of Zoology news Over the past year, IoZ’s research has continued to improve our understanding of the natural world and address a wide range of conservation issues. Ganges river dolphin IMPROVED MONITORING OF THE ENDANGERED GANGES RIVER DOLPHIN Freshwater cetaceans are among the most threatened groups of mammals, and visual surveys, which are the most frequently used method of estimating population size, are known to be limited in accuracy. IoZ researchers used a combined visual and acoustic survey to improve the detectability of Ganges river dolphins (Platanista gangetica gangetica) in the rivers of southern Bangladesh. The combined survey resulted in consistently higher detectability than a visual-only method, thereby improving researchers’ power to detect trends in population size. This research was published in the journal PLoS One. SOAPBOX SCIENCE Natural History From April to June, the UK’s leading female scientists transformed busy city streets into Museum event a stage for scientific discovery and debate for the fourth year of Soapbox Science. The initiative, co-founded by IoZ’s Nathalie Pettorelli and Seirian Sumner of the University of Bristol, went nationwide and beyond in 2014, with events in Bristol, London, Swansea and Dublin. Soapbox Science aims to provide role models for the many women who want to pursue a career in science, in recognition of the fact that science