THE ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF

Annual Review 2012 CONTENTS

2 president’s statement 3 Chair’s statement 4 CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S STATEMENT 6 Our members 7 COMMUNICATIONS 8 Edinburgh 12 Highland wildlife park 14 Conservation 16 Research 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

II Annual Review 2012 • Contents Annual Review 2012 • Contents President’s statement Chair’s statement

I don’t know about you, but I still get a thrill But to look at our pandas in this way is to My thanks to all our staff and volunteers who It has been my privilege to In this role, I have been helped especially My prime aim on taking up this post was to Your Board is well aware of its responsibilities. miss their deeper meaning. Your Society was have responded so brilliantly to the increased by two people. I would first like to thank our continue where Manus had left off; to work We can’t rest on our laurels and must always when the media talk about the activities of able to bring pandas to Edinburgh because demands on them: to our CEO Chris West, serve as Chairman of the previous chair, Manus Fullerton, for leaving with Chris to take full advantage of the focus on strong governance. We know we our pandas. The scale of public interest and our Chinese friends were satisfied as to our his Senior Management Group and our Board RZSS Board of Trustees for behind him a much more settled state of opportunities offered to us by the pandas, must watch the finances with an eagle eye the change in our visitor numbers during 2012 sincerity, and with our plans to support their for their strategic leadership, and to our patron the past year. affairs. In his twelve months at the helm, but to look well beyond the question of – a bumper year in 2012 and good prospects conservation initiatives. The revenue that the HRH Princess Royal, who always manages to he oversaw a major change for the better ‘will they or won’t they mate’ to the future for 2013 do not mean that we can reduce our exceeded all expectations. It seems the whole pandas are generating is important both in find space in her crowded diary. Thanks also – in governance in particular. sustainability of the Society, making sure pressure to be cost-effective at all times and of Britain is taking an interest in the possibility aiding the refurbishment of , to all our members for your continuing interest we work to deliver in terms of research, we need to continue to work on developing of the pair becoming a family. and in funding research, education and and support. Secondly, my thanks go to our new chief education and conservation. a range of revenue streams. conservation, which is at the heart of our executive, Chris West. While none of us raison d’être. I have enjoyed meeting many of you at various should forget the contribution made by We have had much success, in terms of our The Board and the Senior Management meetings. Your continuing passion for all that Hugh Roberts, our interim CEO, who along efforts to build our brilliant visitor attractions Group will strive to make the most of the Nor should we be complacent. The goal of we do inspires me with renewed enthusiasm with Manus helped to ‘steady the ship’ in Edinburgh and the highlands. But such Zoo’s centenary year – for members and our Board is to create world class attractions – and pride. during 2012; the arrival of Chris with all his success alone is not sufficient. As zoo for the Society more broadly. But we will at Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park expertise, wisdom and experience, set the operators in the 21st century, we must be looking beyond the short-term, making – which educate and inspire those who visit and scene for the development of the Society expect to be judged against our key sure that the RZSS continues to be effective which generate all-important revenues. But there into our centenary year at Edinburgh Zoo objectives. The focus must be on how we and respected for many decades ahead. is still much to do and we will only ever be as John Spence – and into the next hundred years. deliver high quality, accessible and relevant Conservation matters – we will focus good as the experience of our last visitor. President research and support the provision of on that fact. opportunities for education of value to all Last year demonstrated what can be achieved ages and across the country. We must aim when the Society thinks through its strategy, to make a major contribution to conservation ensures tight governance and has quality in Scotland and beyond – building upon our Jeremy Peat leadership in place that is prepared to key skills and expertise. Chairman take carefully calculated risks in closely managed ways.

2 Annual Review 2012 • President’s statement Annual Review 2012 • Chair’s statement 3 Chief Executive’s statement

After my first six months during the second half I have worked in academia and in business There has been a re-configuring and and at other charity, membership, restructuring of the organisation, allowing of 2012, I can honestly say I am delighted to be conservation-directed zoo organisations. us to play to our strengths and a focus on at RZSS with such a dedicated and good-hearted I have even experienced pandas before, achieving our conservation missions, based team of staff, volunteers and members. but there is something special about being on a sustainable business base and sound based at the national zoo for Scotland, management principles. We have had with the most beautiful sister site in the success with beavers, giant armadillos and Cairngorms at Highland Wildlife Park! other species – there is much to be proud of.

In this, Edinburgh Zoo’s centenary year, As 2013 continues, we are embarking on we can look back at a year of record a review of our sites, collections, visitor attendances at both sites and a significant experience, animal welfare, sustainability, increase in membership. We can and should science, discovery and learning and field congratulate the team on much hard work programmes. and we can reflect on the magical attraction of the giant pandas at Edinburgh Zoo. We are considering options and opportunities for development, partnerships and At Highland Wildlife Park, there was clearly the communications and we are following huge attraction of a baby boom, with a total of through with the team, training to harness the 49 new additions from 14 different species. skills and passion that we have. We exist to safeguard a future for species and reconnect A stand-out year then, and one that allowed with nature. us the opportunity to regroup and refocus. I spent the last quarter building foundations; We do it well and we can do more…. developing a framework for strategic action plans and identifying priority areas for more immediate attention. Chris West Chief Executive Officer

4 Annual Review 2012 • Chief Executive’s statement Annual Review 2012 • Chief Executive’s statement 5 oUR MEMBERS COMMUNICATIONS

We made a big effort during 2012 to improve The year also saw us further developing HWP had 335 people on the night made Public relations Our public relations team helped sustain Online impact and we even picked up a highly the incentives on offer to our members. unique members’ online content. Our internet up of adopters, RZSS members and season Public relations went into overdrive during the excitement throughout the year, keeping Our online presence was a big hit with visitors commended in the Admedia awards for our Members’ Portal now has 5,633 members, pass holders. 2012, which saw us capitalise on the huge the press primed on what the pandas were during the year. We saw dramatic increases in ‘Team Zoo’ summer campaign! Through who get exclusive access to our panda cam, international media interest in the pandas. getting up to in the run-up to the all-important visitors to social media sites: our Edinburgh injecting humour and creativity, we created As a result, the year saw significant increases a bulletin board, photo galleries, screensavers Life membership was reintroduced in October first breeding season. Zoo Facebook fanbase grew by over 30,000, campaigns that worked across all the to our membership numbers. We began the year and more. Members also get their own 2012. Life member benefits are the same as Features on Edinburgh Zoo in newspapers, while HWP almost tripled, increasing from communication platforms and had people with 20,074 RZSS members and ended it with allocation of tickets for panda viewing slots. annual membership and can be paid in full magazines, on television and online brought Popular personal grooming brand Lynx 2700 to 7600. talking about them. We also spent more time or by direct debit spread over 24 months. in a staggering amount of coverage. Paid-for became our exclusive sponsor during the looking at who our visitors are to allow us to 22,309 an increase of over 11%. We held two members’ only talks in 2012: Membership benefits include free admission advertising in print would have cost us over breeding season, with a fun campaign based Edinburgh Zoo’s website, meanwhile, notched plan more effective, targeted and measurable one hosted by in March by our Director of Giant to Edinburgh Zoo and HWP all year, exclusive £18m alone, it is difficult to place a figure on around the theme of attraction. And while we up over three million hits, driven in part by the campaigns. ‘Keeper Experiences’ were Pandas, Iain Valentine, and the other featured our use of the Members’ Gate, and a host of how much it would have been if we factored have yet to see the arrival of a new panda cub, launch of new digital features. Our YouTube rebranded and relaunched which improved new CEO, Chris West. Just under 100 members other incentives. in TV and online costs too. the public’s fascination with Tian Tian and channel reached around 1 million views. sales and carried out a similar overhaul of attended each talk. Yang Guang certainly hasn’t cooled off! adoption and membership collateral. We took on board members’ feedback HWP’s website was completely re-designed In addition to this, we held two member/adopter and re-opened the members lounge It was also a big year for and we went live with our squirrel monkey In February, we launched the Panda Express, nights in June and August. Both Edinburgh Zoo in the Mansion House during the HWP, which celebrated its 40th webcam at the Zoo and snow monkey a partnership with Stagecoach Group, which and Highland Wildlife Park (HWP) hosted the week for coffee and lunches. anniversary. As well as promoting webcam at HWP. Our pandas also went viral provided day trips to the zoo for visitors from first event, while the second, on 24 August was a series of events throughout the worldwide, with a new interactive panda cam, Aberdeen and Ayr. We also promoted the at Edinburgh Zoo only. year, we were kept particularly installed at the end of the year for launching pandas through Wiseman dairies milk cartons busy due to an unusually early in 2013. A similar penguin cam is also – during the year, over 20 million units of During the events, our doors were open from 22,309 productive year for new in the works, launching soon. school milk were distributed throughout 6.30pm - 9pm for our members and adopters. animal births. Scotland, featuring educational facts about The evenings featured animal talks, animal Members, an increase of 11% Marketing pandas printed on the cartons. feeds and meet the keeper events. Members by 31st December 2012. We also worked with VisitScotland Our marketing team focussed heavily on could bring one free guest with them. Nearly in promoting a Scottish tourism HWP during 2012, creating a new campaign We ran nearly 40 themed events during 2012, 1,200 people attended the first Edinburgh Zoo campaign that tied in with the for outdoor, print and social media and including panda breakfasts, the Chinese new event, with over 1,500 at the second. release of the Pixar animated advertised on TV for the first time. Our polar year and Halloween. movie, ‘Brave’. bears and big cats were the stars of the show: Walker the is now the official mascot of the Park. 30,000 We also continued to build our brand at the Zoo. As well as running regular promotions Our Edinburgh Zoo Facebook fanbase and competitions throughout the UK, two grew by over 30,000. Scottish-focussed campaigns also had a real

6 Annual Review 2012 • Our members Annual Review 2012 • Communications 7 Edinburgh Zoo

2012 was a more settled and productive year for Our collection As well as pandas, the carnivore section Over the year, we were also pleased to New phasmid, cockroach and mantid species Only months after arrival, we had our first was busy looking after their other charges. welcome pygmy marmosets, yellow-breasted were added to the collection for creepy the Society. First and foremost, it was a great experience of panda mating. Although The three male hunting dogs that had arrived capuchin, douroucouli, guinea baboons, crawlies 2012. Two Taiwan beauty snakes year for our pandas, whose presence contributed unsuccessful, it was a steep learning curve at the end of 2011 were joined by two females gelada, chevrotain, nyala, kudu and pudu arrived in June and we had a particularly 12 for all the staff involved, including our team in March 2012. With some carefully planned babies, while the herd of Heck cattle left the successful year with our off-show breeding We currently run 12 studbooks on behalf to significant increases in visitor numbers and of dedicated panda keepers, our horticultural introductions, we now have a stable group collection just before the end of the year. of partula snails. This was also recognised by of the European Association of Zoo worldwide media interest. experts and vets. See our Conservation section of five hunting dogs. BIAZA, who acknowledged our contribution and Aquaria. for more news on developments. During 2012, we had two chimp babies born with an award for our conservation breeding Unfortunately, our male lion, Royal, had to in Budongo and although neither of them of partula snails. be put to sleep due to age-related illness survived, this was still a major achievement for so we received a new young male, Jayendra, our chimp group and bodes well for the future As always, none of this work could have who joined our resident female, Kamlesh. of the group. Sadly, we also said goodbye to happened without the dedication and The two now get on very well. The section also our oldest chimp resident, Ricky, who passed expertise of our keepers, many of whom have received a young female jaguar as a potential away in January, only months after celebrating continued to develop their experience through future mate for our black jaguar, Mowgli. his 50th birthday. completion of relevant courses to gain zoo qualifications. Several members of the Animal Other new arrivals to the carnivores section The bird section welcomed four new Eastern Department attended the EAZA and BIAZA included dwarf mongeese and the ever white pelicans as well as a group of conferences and various managers attended popular meerkats. We said farewell to spectacled parrotlets. Researchers and bird BIAZA working groups in their capacity as our Patagonian sealion Sofus and the keepers are studying their cognitive behaviour experts on mammals and birds. European otter family, but still have our Asiatic in the off show area of our Brilliant Birds short-clawed otters who have continued to exhibit. Our Nicobar pigeons, green-winged During the year, we continued our work breed well and are probably one of the most doves, Victoria crowned pigeons and chestnut with the European Association of and active and troublesome group of animals backed thrush all bred well throughout the year. Aquaria in managing 12 studbooks. We were in the zoo! also very pleased that one of our Living While we were building our new Penguins Collections Registrars was asked to become New arrivals on the primates and hoofstock Rock enclosure, the famous colony had to the vice-chair of the Penguin Taxon Advisory section included two Visayan spotted deer, split up, with the King penguins and the Group (TAG). This is a testament to our a new family of Visayan warty pigs a pair of majority of our gentoo colony relocated high standing within the European crowned lemurs and two pygmy slow loris. elsewhere while the work was undertaken. zoo community – especially with Unfortunately, we had no success this regard to penguins! Our male banteng (a species of wild cattle), year with our rockhopper breeding season, Tino, was joined by a young female named although the small group of gentoos Leticia towards the end of the year and the remaining in Edinburgh did a good job two have been inseparable since. of successfully rearing five chicks.

8 Annual Review 2012 • Edinburgh Zoo Annual Review 2012 • Edinburgh Zoo 9 Edinburgh Zoo

Our gardens and enclosures Within our panda enclosure, our team have This is good news for our Gardens Teams, New features for the birds such as the waterfall Timber framing, metal fence posts, mesh and Our visitors 2012 saw the launch of our ‘Keeper Experience’ As well being home to over 1000 animals, been trying different species of grass to cope giving us accurate information for preparing and waterslide were developed on-site in gates, rocks and pebbles, glass and signage 2012 was a fantastic year for visitor numbers, programme, which gave visitors the we manage over 82 acres of beautiful with the differing conditions here, with parts when to plant out the summer bedding and collaboration with the Animal Department. were all recycled in the making of this. with almost 811,000 people coming to the opportunity to get up close and personal with grounds, which are well looked after by of the area more boggy than others. We have also for taking in half-hardy or tender plants, We hand-picked solid stone slices to create zoo – a 51% increase over the previous year. some of our animals. Thirty minute ‘Magic our Gardens Team. been working with a specialist grass seed as the soil temperature drops in the autumn. the diving board and water feature. Every Without the vast technical expertise and August was our busiest month with 114,538 Moments’ were offered with a variety of our company and have planted rhizomatous tall Over time, this sort of data will help to section of original fencing was altered by the experience of our own tradesmen it would visitors, while our busiest single day was on animals, with penguins and meerkats proving 2012 was one of the wettest years on record fescue, combined with a blend of other measure local climate variations and how blacksmiths, clad by our joiners or painted not have been possible to achieve the high 25 July – 6603 visitors arrived through our the most popular. The programme has been with high levels of rainfall, meaning plants species. Willow and alder trees were also they relate to growth of growth of plants. by our own painter. Our blacksmith reshaped standards and workmanship.By the end doors on one of the few sunny days in an very well received by visitors and provides an and vegetation throughout the Zoo generally planted in the enclosures. parts of the old fence and formed many of 2012, it was clear that Penguins Rock otherwise wet and miserable summer! ideal opportunity for staff to speak to people grew very quickly. Rain, however, was not The weather station not only benefits the work of the gates to the new enclosure. would be a five star enclosure. about the conservation aspects of the animals so advantageous for our flowering plants. Last year also saw the establishment of our of the gardeners but also helps our animal Our most popular single attraction has been they met. new bamboo nursery. This is a small working keeping staff by relating any unusual the giant pandas, with over 542,000 visitors During the year, we planted a variety of new nursery that will help the Zoo manage the fluctuations in weather patterns to changes queuing up to see Tian Tian and Yang Guang. Other exclusive events over the year included flowers and plants, including 250 shrubs of dietary requirements of our pandas. The in animal behaviour. Some well-known faces also put in an panda Christmas breakfasts, Creepy Crawlie chuckleberry (Amalanchier canadensis) and nursery is planted with approximately 250 appearance, including Princess Anne, month, Zoo Tots and the Moon Festival. 300 evergreen lesser periwinkle ground cover plants which will provide us with around 1% Our site Princess Alexandra, Nicole Kidman, and plants. Gertrude Jeckyll roses were added to of the total amount of bamboo required to The main focus of our Property and Estates comedians Kevin Bridges and Brian Conley. We stepped up the quality of visitor amenities the plantings at the front entrance, as well as feed Yang Guang and Tian Tian for a year. team was the revamping of the penguin pool during the year. New menus were launched in amalanchier, an early white flowering shrub The species of bamboo chosen have all been rebranded as ‘Penguins Rock’. Our tradesman our Grasslands restaurant, including healthy that brings out fantastic autumn colour, consumed by our pandas since arrival at the inputted various elements of the design working eating options. Christmas party bookings complementing the autumnal tones of the zoo and our gardeners had to overcome quite closely with the Birds Team to create a whole doubled, while corporate events, weddings and deciduous azaleas. a few challenges before planting. new look to an old and tired enclosure. 542,000 other functions continued to prove popular. Over 542,000 queued up to see Tian Tian Two thousand Solomon’s seal We installed our new weather station, on the With a limited budget we managed to recycle Our gift shop performed well throughout 2012, and Yang Guang. (Polygonatum multiflorum) and 1000 site where the historic rose garden previously and reuse many parts of the old metal fencing with over 646,000 individual items sold. lily of the valley (Convillaria majilis) stood. The station, known as the Mini Met, to create new sight lines and vantage points. Bestsellers included a variety of panda-themed have been planted in the beds leading measures wind speed, rainfall, soil Working to incredibly strict time constraints memorabilia, such as soft toys, fridge magnets to the entrance of the Budongo exhibit. temperatures, temperature, humidityand light and with help from various sub-contractors, and confectionery, although monkeys and Thirty five semi mature trees and over intensity. The new facility allows our visitors we created a robust, sustainable, low snakes also went down a treat with customers. 300 whips were also added to this area. access to local weather online before coming maintenance enclosure to inspire and excite This year, we added some new products to to the Zoo, while also providing us with our visitors. our range, including tea towels, China mugs, historical weather information. panda jewellery, palm oil free soap and Kenyan Fair Trade carvings.

Penguins Rock during redevelopment

10 Annual Review 2012 • Edinburgh Zoo Annual Review 2012 • Edinburgh Zoo 11 Highland Wildlife Park

2012 was a particularly exciting year for The park welcomed over 121,000 visitors As part of our 40th celebrations, we also held The past year saw us acquiring a new Four new Japanese macaques brought our Staff also play a key role in the overall Highland Wildlife Park, seeing both a number through its doors this year, including HRH a special reception in June for around 50 park Przewalski’s horse stallion (through Marwell group of these distinctive monkeys up to 21. coordination of the EAZA Taxon Advisory Princess Anne. She visited in September as VIPs, including our founders, former staff and Zoo in England) to restart breeding of this We also welcomed the arrival of five European Group for all the Caprine (sheep, goat, takin, 49 of important new arrivals and an especially part of our 40th anniversary celebrations and those who have supported us over the years. species. We were also joined by an adult pups, the first wolf pups born here in etc.) breeding programmes and conservation successful breeding season. unveiled a plaque and fed the polar bears. Throughout the year, we hosted archery white-lipped deer stag from the Scottish Deer 12 years. projects, and act as the husbandry and We had our best breeding year for a very events, an exhibition of the park’s history Centre in Fife for our herd of females; a family enclosure design advisor for both the Amur long time, with a total of 49 youngsters Dr. Jane Goodall DBE also visited in and arts and crafts activities. group of goral from Edinburgh Zoo and a Other additions were 15 red deer, a male and Sumatran tiger breeding programmes. reared from 14 different species. September to launch a new youth biodiversity small group of musk ox from Sweden and the European elk, a female Bukhara deer, six planting project. A series of ‘biodiversity hubs’ New animals Netherlands, the first of their species to be calves, a male takin, a female Two trainee keepers have started their second will be created at various locations across Our highest profile new arrival was probably imported into the UK in 24 years. , a female Japanese serow, four year of the Sparsholt Zoo Animal Management the Park. Made up of plantings of native Marty, our new male Amur tiger, who came to Himalayan tahr and a female goral, born from Course, and one trainee began her first year species sympathetic to the animals and the us from Olomouc Zoo in the Czech Republic Breeding the family group brought up from the Zoo. of the course. surrounding environment, these hubs will be to pair with the Park’s home-grown female. Because of the cold weather adapted and established by using volunteers coordinated seasonal nature of all the species we maintain Conservation plays a key role in the vast via the Highland Facilitator Team, who are Other additions included a male polar bear at the Park, all of our births occur within a fairly majority of the species we manage. affiliated locally to Jane Goodall’s Roots called Arktos from Hannover as a companion narrow time window, mainly from late spring Many species are part of regional or global and Shoots programme. for Walker; a pair of Northern lynx from to mid-summer. cooperative breeding programmes and Sweden and Latvia; a young adult female others, although secure from a global from the Netherlands to pair with our Even with these restrictions, we had our best perspective (such as the European resident male; and a young pair of red pandas breeding year for a very long time, with a total or the elk), can be classed from Aalborg in Denmark and Berlin. of 49 youngsters reared from 14 different as extinct in the wild from a Scottish species. Some of these species had offspring or UK perspective. at the Park for the first time in many years. Animal staff at the Park continue 121,000 Cats continued to play a starring role to play an important role in breeding throughout 2012 – six new wildcats in two programme management. different litters were born, one of which was We are responsible for running The park welcomed over 121,000 visitors the first litter from a male who came into the the European Association through its doors this year. collection as an abandoned kitten in 2009. of Zoos and Aquaria’s (EAZA) We also saw the birth of a male and a female programmes northern lynx, from the new pair that only for Pallas’ cat, arrived earlier in the year: the first lynx kittens European bison, at the Park in 24 years. takin and goral.

12 Annual Review 2012 • Highland Wildlife Park Annual Review 2012 • Highland Wildlife Park 13 CONSERVATION

Our conservation programmes have continued Conservation at home and in the underway to assess the conservation needs And abroad… Sticking with Brazil, we delivered two Key achievements to date include the to develop at home and abroad, including a UK overseas territories of the population throughout Scotland, Our staff member in Brazil had a busy 2012. conservation decision-making courses establishment of a field based veterinary Our Scottish Beaver Trial (SBT) saw the with a view to implementing a three year Work with curassow, pumas, maned wolves, and trained five students in the field. laboratory in Budongo and the training of 600 range of activities designed to support targeted beavers continue to adapt well to the Scottish conservation project later in 2013. RZSS bushdogs, jaguars, white-lipped peccaries, Population modelling techniques and graduate veterinary interns in chimpanzee species. Here’s a snapshot of just some of the environment. Greater use of remote infra-red is likely to lead on captive breeding and chacoan peccaries, harpy eagles, black lion micro-histological analysis were shared health management. We have developed standardised health many ongoing field-based projects. trail cameras was very successful in gathering reintroduction activities, based on our animal tamarins, spix´s macaws, and grey-breasted in several workshops. monitoring guidelines for chimpanzees. further information on the population, husbandry expertise and experience gained parakeets all took place. We have developed standardised health Currently, over 600 wild chimpanzees are particularly on more secretive or hard to from the Scottish Beaver Trial. We also facilitated two workshops in Africa: monitoring guidelines for chimpanzees and monitored.

Image: Kevin Schafer observe behaviours such as canal building, Our field project in the Brazilian Pantanal also the first one was for the creation of a national currently, over 600 wild chimpanzees are first kit emergence, body condition and 2012 was also a good year for water voles made significant progress. During the past strategy for the conservation of Djibouti´s monitored. We are also working with 450 indications of pregnancy. in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National seven years, RZSS in partnership with the terrestrial fauna and the second one in Chad for households living adjacent to the forest Park. With a warm March, the season started government research institute Embrapa, the re-introduction of the scimitar horned oryx. edge to improve hygiene and sanitation Annual trapping of each individual for health early and it wasn’t long before breeding developed a rapid method to evaluate and of households with an aim of minimising screening saw increases in weight and body territories were being established along burns, understand resource use of both domestic Our Budongo Conservation Field Station the risk of zoonotic diseases. condition since release and veterinary testing ponds and ditches. and wild herbivores based on fecal analysis. in the Albertine Rift, Western Uganda, revealed a clean bill of health. This was also In 2012, we made this tool available for free meanwhile, is coordinating a national project the most successful breeding year to date Water voles advertise to others that a territory download and continued using it for a number to detect and minimise the threat of disease with five kits born, although unfortunately is occupied by leaving conspicuous “dung of projects as well as promoting its use in transmission between humans and one was predated soon after emergence. piles” behind. This enables other voles (as conferences or small workshops. chimpanzees, to ensure long term survival However, such incidents do provide useful well as project officers) to identify that one of viable chimpanzee populations. information on how native predators might of their kind is present in the area. Thanks to the involvement of many partners, impact upon future beaver populations the Pantanal Giant Armadillo Project made in Scotland. By the end of our survey season, we had great progress in unraveling the mysteries of found voles in almost every suitable site one of South America´s rarest large mammals. In April 2012, an education ranger was hired, across the project area, including in places After months of following the mating patterns funded by an anonymous donor, to carry out where they had not been seen for a number of a male and female giant armadillo in Brazil, formal and informal education programmes of years. the team recently captured on video rare including school outreach work and guided images of the birth of a baby giant armadillo. walks. Throughout the year, 101 events took Unfortunately, 2012 also seemed to be a good place, reaching 5716 people. year for the water vole’s most destructive predator, the invasive American mink. The Towards the end of 2012, the Society began project area is protected from colonisation by working on the development of a national plan mink, thanks to an extensive monitoring and for the conservation and recovery of the trapping programme. This year, six mink were . Coordinated by Scottish trapped in the area, representing a large Natural Heritage (SNH), a programme is now increase on the previous year’s total of two.

Image: Kevin Schafer 14 Annual Review 2012 • Conservation Annual Review 2012 • Conservation 15 RESEARCH

Researchers at RZSS are involved IN a variety of These studies are often part of larger research We have also developed good working Minimally invasive “keyhole” surgery was Birds ongoing projects that aim to deliver the necessary efforts involving scientists from multiple relationships with our Chinese partners carried out in our adult male black howler Aspergillosis is a very common respiratory countries and many different fields. Here are in CWCA (China Wildlife Conservation monkey to remove a stone that he somehow disease in birds and reptiles, caused by the scientific support to conservation programmes some of the highlights from 2012. Association) and CCRCGP (China swallowed and which had become stuck in his inhalation of fungal spores. Our researchers 350 Conservation and Research Centre for stomach. He made a full recovery after surgery. have been developing diagnosis and and wider zoological research themes. Over 350 beavers from across Europe and Giant pandas Giant Pandas), who are on hand and ready This type of surgery was used to repair a hernia monitoring techniques, including plasma Asia have been screened to create a The prospect of our panda pair breeding has, to help us whenever we need it. in one of the Hamlyn owl monkeys, who also protein electrophoresis in conjunction with reference dataset for the reintroduction work. of course, been a top priority. While 2012’s made a full recovery and has since left the CTDS Laboratories. attempt wasn’t successful, it allowed us to Genetics collection. The team has been using this advance our skills in the science of panda Our WildGenes lab conducted pioneering technique as a way of screening wild beavers We have also been looking at the prevalence breeding, including monitoring changes in genetic analysis of European beaver in the Tayside region for any infectious and possible causes of grass sickness in wild hormones, vaginal cytology and all-important populations in partnership with SNH, the diseases and health problems. equids, in conjunction with Glasgow University husbandry requirements, such as giving Countryside Council for Wales and Telemark Veterinary School and the Royal (Dick) School pandas access to each other’s enclosures. University College, Denmark. The data has Nutrition of Veterinary Studies This allowed them to scent mark and leave allowed scientists at RZSS to develop Nutritional research into the diet and feeding important chemical cues for one another genetic tools for parentage and individual of a variety of animals took many forms. Living Links in the run-up to the brief mating season. identification, which are useful for monitoring As part of a review of the hoofstock diets, This was another successful year for scientific released animals. As part of this work, over a reformulated hoofstock pellet, exclusive research on primates at Edinburgh Zoo. Feeding the pandas also presented many 350 beavers from across Europe and Asia to Edinburgh Zoo, has been produced. Postdoctoral researchers and postgraduates challenges. A number of different varieties of have been screened to create a reference This contains a higher dietary fibre than of the Scottish Primate Group were joined by bamboo exist, many of which have differences dataset for the reintroduction work. the previous products. The team have also colleagues from the Universities of Kyoto and in fibre and sugar content. Seasonal variations reassessed vitamin E levels for antelope Vienna. Researchers looked at ways in which also occur: all of this has bearing on what A similar genetic approach is currently being and micro-mineral levels such as copper the social networks amongst the Budongo a panda will eat and the best time to feed conducted in association with the Environment for hoofstock. chimpanzees changed as they integrated it to them. Over the course of the last year, Agency of Abu Dhabi both for the reintroduction with chimpanzees that arrived from the our use of infra-red technology in our lab at of Arabian oryx to the United Arab Emirates and A review of primate diets is also nearing Netherlands in 2010. Edinburgh Zoo, allowed us to plot and monitor the reintroduction of scimitar-horned oryx to completion, which has involved the manufacture the changes which occur within the different Chad. This information will be used alongside of a primate pellet, also exclusive to us. We The year ended with the welcome news that bamboos. This information, alongside keeper veterinary information to select the best animals offer a feed evaluation service particularly a £2.6M research grant from a US Foundation observations, helped us partly determine the for reintroduction. for grass hays and silage and can give a will include support of primate research in the pandas’ dietary preferences. This work is consultancy service to other zoos on the feed consortium over the next three years. ongoing and we are now looking to extend Veterinary research they use. This service uses near infra-red it to the panda centres in China. Several areas of veterinary clinical research spectroscopy (NIRS) which can be used to were carried out by staff during 2012. analyse nutritional values of dry matter, fibres, cellulose, lignin, protein, sugars and fat. The RZSS veterinary team continued to work This can be used on beavers, koalas and on advancing minimally invasive surgical panda faeces, to gauge the digestibility techniques across all species, but last year of these kinds of feeds. there was a particular focus on primates.

16 Annual Review 2012 • Research Annual Review 2012 • Research 17 Discovery and learning Fundraising and sponsorship

Our role in education continued to be one of Our schools programme gave 25,000 pupils Meanwhile, our week long science summer We were delighted to receive the Sandford Volunteers were active throughout the year The Fundraising Team’s main focus for much of focused learning experiences, covering school gave 50 students at the Zoo and 25 Award for Heritage Education. This award and between them gave us an average of the main aspects of our charitable commitments. a variety of topics linked to Curriculum at HWP real hands-on experience of studying was given after an independent quality over 700 hours work per month. We were the year focussed on the Penguins Rock Appeal. for Excellence, supporting young people wild animals and reporting upon their findings. assessment of our education programmes also able to provide some new volunteering to become successful learners, confident and activities. opportunities, assisting the gardens team. individuals, responsible citizens and effective The year also saw a significant increase in Launched in August, the appeal went to all In August we launched an on-pack promotion contributors. our provision to the tertiary sector (colleges The award was presented to us by Her Grace Over the next couple of years, our volunteer members and was heavily advertised across with Scotland’s favourite macaroni, Marshalls, and universities), with a popular programme the Duchess of Marlborough at a ceremony programme will be further expanded. We are the park. With a unique promotion allowing who donated £10,000 to our panda We developed specific new lesson activities of tailor-made sessions on subjects such held at Blenheim Palace. It was presented to now developing more focused voluntary people to sponsor a penguin footprint brick conservation work. Their fun packets, featuring the giant pandas and ran events as animal behaviour and conservation, us in official recognition of our “commitment activities to assist those looking for work along the famous parade route, the appeal featuring our famous pair, can be seen linked to the Chinese New Year. We also as well as talks on topics such as careers to quality and constant improvement of our experience, while maintaining our dedicated did very well, raising a fantastic £150,000 in supermarkets across the country. created a project with Wiseman Dairies, and business studies. schools’ programmes… allowing students long-term volunteer team. We are also grateful (including gift aid). where children could discover fascinating of all ages to discuss the very real issues to corporate groups that offer volunteer teams Our patron scheme is now established with facts about the pandas on their school Support was also given to some students facing natural environments both locally to support some of our work in one-off events. Our sponsorship packages, meanwhile, 27 patrons who continue to support our work. milk cartons, alongside specially prepared in the transition between school and college and globally.” stepped up a gear with several exciting We also received a significant grant from teacher resources. university, with work placement and study partnerships. In March, we launched a the Binks Trust towards our Penguins Rock opportunities. Looking ahead package with Lynx who were the official appeal. Legacy income amounted to just Programmes were also created for upper During 2013, our education work is being sponsors of the panda breeding season. under £50,000. secondary aged students to assist them However, our education role extends beyond refocused and enhanced under the banner 700 Their “his and hers – will they/won’t they” with both employability and understanding the immediate boundaries of the Zoo and of ‘discovery and learning’ to acknowledge theme garnered fantastic PR for the Volunteers were active throughout the year of science. Our ZEST work experience Park. In 2012, we expanded the teacher the significant and important aspects of company and revenue for RZSS. and between them give us an average programme, supported by Baillie Gifford, resources available online, including a new both formal (schools) and informal (public) of over 700 hours work per month. helped small groups of students from suite of activities in conjunction with Living education, and the contribution they make Edinburgh and Glasgow experience work and Links (St Andrews University). Teacher to conservation. gain an SQA approved employability award. development activities were also provided, In 2012-13, we have extended this programme utilising our role in the Scottish Beaver Trial We are grateful to our dedicated team of over to operate at the HWP for students from and with a web project ‘Deep Blue’, 100 volunteers who made a significant Grantown-on-Spey. highlighting Scottish marine life. contribution to the work of the Society in 2012, especially in helping us engage with our visitors. Partnerships and awards Last year also saw the development of a partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council on the Junior Award Scheme Scotland (JASS) in which we delivered lessons in a number of Edinburgh schools.

18 Annual Review 2012 • Discovery and Learning Annual Review 2012 • Fundraising and Sponsorship 19 FINANCIAL SUMMARY ACCOUNTS

The summarised accounts presented are derived from the annual accounts, which received Trading performance Principal income movements (£m) The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and unqualified audit report from Henderson Loggie. For a fuller understanding of the financial Performance in 2012 was very strong, Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities Consolidated Balance Sheet affairs of the Society, the statutory financial statements are available on the Society’s website reflecting the increase in visitor levels at Income 2011 9.7 For the year ended 31 December 2012 As at 31 December 2012 (www.rzss.org.uk). Edinburgh Zoo as a result of the arrival of Retail & Catering 1.7 2012 2011 2012 2011 giant pandas and also the upturn in visitors £ £ £ £ Donations 0.1 at Highland Wildlife Park. Income increased Incoming Resources by 53% to £14.9m, as a result of the increase Visitor 3.4 Incoming resources from generated funds Fixed assets 15,468,083 15,229,437 in visitor numbers alongside a strong retail Voluntary income 1,067,512 992,276 Investments 2,051,138 1,892,198 Income 2012 14.9 and catering performance. Retail performed Activities for generating funds 3,412,675 1,707,956 particularly well at Edinburgh Zoo with turnover Investment income 430,167 442,419 Current assets increasing to £2.1m, which can be attributed to Principal expense movements (£m) 4,910,354 3,142,651 Stocks 403,120 239,029 the first full year of the new shop’s operations. Debtors 642,528 514,695 Incoming resources from charitable activities 9,979,479 6,579,615 Expenditure 2011 10.5 Cash at bank and in hand 1,623,496 370,074 Other incoming resources 28,373 23,715 Costs were well managed in 2012 reflecting the Retail & Catering 0.6 2,669,144 1,123,798 work on systems and processes started in 2011. Total incoming resources 14,918,206 9,745,981 Animal Welfare 0.7 The increases in variable expenditure are due to (2,131,381) (2,182,350) Resources Expended Creditors: amounts falling due within one year the growth in visitor numbers and commercial Visitor Services 0.7 Cost of generating funds activities. Overall the Society achieved an Marketing 0.2 Net current assets/(liabilities) 537,763 (1,058,552) operating surplus of £1.5m in 2012 (2011 £0.7m Voluntary income 305,219 362,376 deficit). The overall surplus for the year was Support costs 0.8 Fundraising and trading 2,370,236 1,444,535 Total assets less current liabilities 18,056,984 16,063,083 £2.4m (2011 £1.2m deficit) after taking account Investment management costs 5,105 7,513 Expenditure 2012 13.5 of investment gains and movement in the 2,680,560 1,814,424 Creditors: amounts falling due after one year (3,490,858) (2,969,943) valuation of the pension fund. Charitable activities 10,404,285 8,272,471 Defined benefit pension scheme liability (493,800) (1,397,800) Governance costs £357,674 372,220 Total resources expended 13,442,519 10,459,115 Net assets 14,072,326 11,695,340

Funds 1,475,687 (713,134) Net incoming/(outgoing) resources Unrestricted reserves before other recognised gains/(losses) General reserve 4,949,975 3,348,059 Gains/(losses) on investment assets 167,299 (109,168) Revaluation reserve 5,750,000 5,750,000 Actuarial gains/(losses) on defined benefit 734,000 (370,000) Pension reserve (493,800) (1,397,800) pension scheme Total unrestricted reserves 10,206,175 7,700,259 Net movement in funds 2,376,986 (1,192,302) Restricted funds 3,504,076 3,650,527 Total funds brought forward at 1 January 2012 11,695,340 12,887,642 Endowment funds 362,075 344,554 Total funds carried forward 14,072,326 11,695,340 at 31 December 2012 Total reserves 14,072,326 11,695,340

20 Annual Review 2012 • Financial summary Annual Review 2012 • Accounts 21 Board, honorary fellows and patrons Society Structure

President Honorary Members Corporate Partners Honorary Fellows The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland Board Senior Management Group John Spence OBE, DL HRH The Duke of Edinburgh KG, KT Baillie Gifford Professor Ian Aitken OBE The Miller Group Dr Jean Balfour CBE, FIC (For), JP, DSc, Chief Executive Officer BSc, FlBiol, FRSA, FRSE Board Royal Patron The Green Insurance Company Chris West (Hugh Roberts until July 2012) Dick Balharry MBE Jeremy Peat OBE, BA, MSc, FRSE HRH The Princess Royal KG, KT Cairn Energy Chief Operating Officer (appointed Chair May 2012) Ineos Ltd Keith Chalmers Watson Barbara Smith Sandy Batho MA, Scotmid Roy Dennis MBE Director of Giant Pandas Project Civic Patrons and Strategic Innovations George Brechin OBE, BSc, CIHM Marshalls Foods Ltd Lady Margaret Elliot MBE, MA Scientific Advisory Audit & Risk Management Nomination and The Rt Hon Donald Wilson Iain Valentine Lynx Henry Elliot BA (Hons) Committee Committee Remuneration Committee Peter Budd Lord Provost of the City of Head of Living Collections Dr John Francis ARCS, PhD, DSc, FRSG, Karen Carlton MA, D.Univ, FCIPD Edinburgh Council Ogilvy PR Darren McGarry FRSE Ken Dalton BSc Hons CEng MCIBSE Beastons Building Supplies Ltd Head of Conservation Programmes Thomas Huxley (co-opted September 2012) Indigo Vision Rob Ogden Patrons Alexander Kerr John Fitzgerald B.Sc. (Hons), Assoc CIPD Tunnock’s Head of Human Resources John Fitzgerald Dr Andrew Kitchener BSc, PhD Manus Fullerton MBA, FCIBS Citroen UK Lindsay McPherson Natalie Nickelson James McCarthy BSc (For) (resigned August 2012) Fraser Bruce Group Edinburgh Zoo Highland Wildlife Park Head of Communications Jonathan Gray Jimmie Macgregor MBE Sharon Simpson Professor Colin Galbraith BSc, PhD Müller Wiseman Dairies (Vice-Chair from May 2012) Roger and Jean Miller Walter MacLellan BSc, MRCVS Director of Finance Douglas Hutchison BVMS, MRCVS Lady Margaret Kitchen Dr Peter Maitland BSc, PhD, FRSE James Stewart Tessa McGregor MA Ian and Margaret Peggie Principal Bankers Professor Aubrey Manning OBE, Dphil RSE Animal Collection Manager, Highland Wildlife Park Dr Thomas Mitchell CA Kate Duthie Lloyds TSB Captain Harald Misund Douglas Richardson (Honorary Treasurer) Sir Gerald and Lady Elliot John Mitchell MA (Hons), Cbiol Chief Executive Officer Visitor Services Manager, Highland Wildlife Park Christine Patch MA, MCIPR Malcolm and Kira Bowie Investment Auditors Mary Patterson DipEd Daska Mackintosh Professor David Taylor MA, PhD, VetMB, Alan Morrison Deutsche Bank Private Wealth Dr Miranda Stevenson BA, MBA, PhD DipECVPH, DipECPHM, MRCVS Fiona Morrison Management Michael Tomkies Professor Roger Wheater OBE, FRSE Alun Grassick Professor Roger Wheater OBE, FRSE John Wotton OBE Boyd Tunnock CBE Auditors John Lloyd Henderson Loggie Finance HR Chief Operating Officer Communications Living Collections Conservation Pandas and Jason Ross EZ Programmes Strategic Innoations

7 anonymous Finance, IT, Recruitment, training, Retail, visitor services, Marketing, PR, Animal welfare and Field and science, Giant panda research occupational health employment relations sponsorship and fundraising, social media/website, mangement, animal discovery and programme and and safety, property membership. HWP interpretation presentations, learning, plants and strategic development and estates co-manged by Visitor Services veterinary and nutrition sustainability, policy Manager and Animal Collection functions and advocacy Manager reporting into COO

22 Annual Review 2012 • Board, Honorary Fellows and Patrons Annual Review 2012 • Society Structure 23 Animal adoption honour rolL ABOUT US

We would like to thank the Platinum (£500 plus) Gold Miss R.A.E Firth Elaine Robertson Our aims following animal adopters AM Pilkingtons Charitable Trust Balbardie Primary School Maria Frizzoni Mark Roper • Maintain a commercially successful • Promote through formal, non-formal Alun Grassick Peter & Barbara Barham Martin Gibson Sandra Ross organisation which will enable us to achieve and informal education activities, an for their generous support Peter Jowitt Joy Barnard Irene & Rodger Glenfield Rotary Club of Corstorphine our mission through innovative and dynamic understanding of the inter-dependence of of the Royal Zoological George & Margaret Laing Rob Batchelor Stephen, Peter and Sarah Anne Rushbrook management all living things and a concern for the fragility Society of Scotland: Kirsty Maxwell Stuart Midge Bett Glenfield Lesley Simmons of ecosystems and threatened species Ronnie McNab Peter Black Emily Grassick Peter Stein • Create for our visitors an exciting and Silvia and Wellie Michell Dallas Brodie Ruairidh and Eilidh Grassick The Stewart Boys inspiring experience, by ensuring excellence • Ensure the highest standards of animal Roger O S Miller M/V Highland Eagle Heather Harrold Jill Stringer in the presentation of our animals and the welfare through excellence in animal Alan Morrison Walter Brown Alix Henderson Kirsty, Hannah & Rosie Taylor highest quality in our visitor facilities and husbandry and enrichment of the animal’s Catherine Ng Kwai Fat Bruntsfield Primary School Paul & Kirsty Holmes The Mary Erskine School services in a pleasant safe and stimulating environment Mr & Mrs Ian G. Peggie Madge Buick Emma & Amy Howard Conservation Club environment Oxgangs Primary School Sofia Bussink Isabelle Howard Sue Thomason • Maintain groups of species with high Nicola Routledge Campie Primary School Elaine Hunter & Larry Forsyth Torphichen Kirk Adventurers • Value all our staff as our most important conservation and educational importance Russwood Ltd Casm Family Susan M. Jacyna Amanda Vickery resource, regardless of age, gender, race, and participate in managed conservation Charles Saddington Janice R Chambers Nellie Lackie Malcolm Watson disability, sexual orientation or beliefs, programmes for threatened species Maureen Sommerville Robert Chambers Rachel Leonard Leone Wilkie by encouraging communications and Young Holliday Charitable Trust Jessie Colthart Katie Logan Anderson Megan Wilkie involvement at all levels and by ensuring • Encourage and enable research to increase Lorraine Common Mary Mackinnon Rebecca Wilkie development through appraisal and training our knowledge and understanding of animal Stephanie Crighton Cody McCutcheon Carole Wilson line with our business objectives and the science, for the benefit of both captive and John G Crombie Heather McFarlane Derek Wilson individual’s needs wild animals Anne Dick Evan & Laura McGibney Fiona Wylie Muriel Dickson Andy McKay Louise Wylie • Support and promote the needs of species • Strive for environmental sustainability in all Grant Donaldson Anne Murdoch Young Holliday Charitable Trust conservation in the wild our activities and ensure energy efficiency Samantha Dukelow Margaret Nelson Eldon and Anne Zuill Peter Elliot Patricia Peattie OBE Jane Errington Braich and Alba Perrie We would also like to thank Mark G N Ferguson Robert Picken our 878 Silver Adopters and James S Fernie Neil Proven our 765 Bronze Adopters for Donald R Findlay QC Hazel Ramsay their continued support. Ian Finlayson Nancy Roberts Edinburgh EH12 6TS Kincraig, Kingussie, Inverness-shire PH21 1NL 0131 334 9171 01540 651 270 [email protected] [email protected]

24 Annual Review 2012 • Animal Adoption Honour Roll Annual Review 2012 • About us 25 OUR MISSION Safeguarding species from extinction. Connecting people with nature

The Society is an active member of the following organisations: www.rzss.org.uk www.edinburghzoo.org.uk www.highlandwildlifepark.org.uk www.rzsspanda.org.uk