THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON ZSL MISSION AND ZSL London Zoo VISION To achieve and promote the world- wide conservation AS/A2 COURSEWORK SUP P O R T 2 0 1 7 / 1 8 of animals and their habitats. A World where animals are valued and their conserva- Introducing the Zoological Society of London tion assured. The Zoological Society of and see the animals seemed the ZSL London Zoo Guiding principles: London was founded in 1826 by best way to generate funds. ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Respecting and Sir Stamford Raffles. Stamford www.zsl.org/about-us/ Conservation programmes valuing animals and Raffles had a vision of setting up landmarks-in-zsl-history Institute of Zoology the natural world. a society for the scientific study Today the Zoo still relies on its of animals. He wanted to ZSL London Zoo is an urban zoo Inspiring conserva- visitors to generate funds to establish “a zoological society that houses around 16,000 tion action. support our biological and dedicated to the advancement animals from around 750 species. Achieving excel- ecological research and of zoology and physiology and The site covers 36 acres in lence in our field. conservation projects. the introduction of new and Regent’s Park in London. The Zoo For a financial statement about Acting ethically, curious subjects of the animal receives over 1,000,000 visitors responsibly and the Society see the Annual kingdom”. He also wanted “a each year. sustainably. Review. base and centre for research www.zsl.org/about-us/zsl- ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is situated Valuing everyone and publications to share we work with. annual-reports near Dunstable in Bedfordshire. It zoological knowledge through- is set in a rural location and The Society now consists of four out the world”. houses the large species of animal major bodies: such as Asian elephants and both CONTENTS By 1828 the society was White and Asian rhinos. This site established and open to fellows houses more than 200 species of and scientists. Charles Darwin animal and covers over 600 acres. Introducing ZSL 1 was one such fellow of the society, joining in 1837. By ZSL now operates successfully in 1848 the gates were opened to the 21st century. The society is The role of good 2 the public at the cost of one still dedicated to the zoos penny entrance fee. The Zoo enhancement of zoology but has needed money to support itself developed its goals to include Captive 4 and allowing visitors to come in The Zoo in the mid 19th century species and habitat conservation. management Conservation 6 projects The role of a modern zoo Useful web links 8 A modern zoo must be involved Research Communications in the following activities: Biological and ecological research Keeping and sharing accurate Support 10 both in the zoo and in the field. Zoo records for zoo animals, Education research includes reproductive, contributing research papers to documents Both formal schools and nutrition, epidemiological, scientific journals and other informal visitor education behavioural, population biology and publications and being part of programmes. pathology research. the regional and international zoo networks such as EAZA and Conservation Improvements WAZA. In-situ field work research, in- In husbandry and welfare. situ field work active Maintaining biologically and www.zsl.org/education/the- conservation and ex-situ lab- genetically healthy animal modern-zoo based data analysis. populations as well as the well being of individual animals. P A G E 2 In 1926 Sir Stamford ZSL’s vision Raffles described the newly founded ZSL’s guiding principles: To achieve excellence in our field Acting ethically, responsibly and Building on our heritage and sustainably Respecting and valuing animals society as: reputation as a learned society, we We aim to operate in fair and and the natural world aim to be an authoritative source justifiable ways that do not conflict Our belief is that a diverse and of information and good practice with our mission/objectives, and “a base and centre healthy natural world is valuable for scientific study, conservation which respect the environment. in its own right and is essential for for research and and husbandry of animals; and to ensuring secure and healthy lives Valuing everyone we work with make efficient and effective use of for people. This motivates ZSL’s We support and value teamwork publications to share available resources to achieve the vision and mission, and our other and collaboration, strive for fair and highest possible standards in zoological core values follow from this. equitable treatment of everyone everything we do in the operation with whom we work and come into Inspiring conservation action of a successful and innovative knowledge contact with, and aim to act with We seek to motivate others to conservation organisation. respect and courtesy in all out throughout the take conservation action in their dealings. daily lives. World”. 21st century zoo A large part of ZSL’s work is in new developments. Each year we undertake a new exhibit development project to re-build or modernise an animal enclosure. Profits, donations and legacies are used to help fund our development. Recent areas that have been developed include: Upcoming projects: Penguin Beach - 2011 Gibbon enclosure (2017) Tiger Territory - 2013 In with the Lemurs - 2015 London Zoo must Asiatic Lions - 2016 retain its identity London Zoo contains many listed buildings which cannot be altered due to their architectural significance. For example: and highlight its The East Tunnel - 1829 Giraffe House - 1837 significant history Reptile House - 1926 Lubetkin Penguin Pool - 1934 Snowdon Aviary - 1962 www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/snowdon-aviary whilst developing zsl.org/education/the-modern-zoo/ and modernising for the benefit of both Collection planning its visitors and Collection planning is used to decide which animals should be kept in each zoo. The type of animal, with its size and husbandry requirements, dictates if and where an animal can be kept. ZSL London Zoo houses smaller animals. species, for example, reptiles, fish, invertebrates and a range of smaller primates, while ZSL Whipsnade Zoo houses large species and herd species such as elephant, rhino, zebra, antelope and cheetah. Each zoo must evaluate whether is has the appropriate housing conditions for a species before it can be kept. The Collection Planning process looks at the value of keeping each animal in terms of its: Education value Conservation breeding value and Conservation or general research value. Some animals are kept for public attraction value but must also meet one of the other criteria. AS/A2 COURSEWORK SUP P O R T P A G E 3 Zoo networks The following zoo associations EAZA WAZA are networks that work European Association of Zoos World Association of Zoos and Aquaria. together to share knowledge, and Aquaria. The World Association of Zoos and Aquaria is the expertise, best practice and Aims to: Promote cooperation umbrella organisation for the world zoo and animals. These networks are for furthering regional collection aquarium community. Its members include leading vital for the success of animal planning and wildlife zoos and aquariums, and regional and national welfare and husbandry and the conservation, particularly associations of zoos and aquariums, as well as some successful breeding of captive through internationally affiliate organisations, such as zoo veterinarians or animals. coordinated breeding zoo educators, from all around the world. BIAZA programmes of wild animals British and Irish Association of such as the European Zoos and Aquaria. Endangered Species Programme (EEP). Promote education, in BIAZA are the professional particular environmental body representing the best education. Contribute to zoos and aquariums in Britain relevant meetings and and Ireland. Their Member discussions of the supra- Collections pride themselves international organisations, such on their excellent animal as the United Nations, The welfare, education and World Conservation Union - conservation work. BIAZA IUCN , European Union, the supports them in their work Convention of International and helps promote the work of Trade in Endangered Plant and good zoos and aquariums. Animal Species (CITES) etc. ZSL Case study - Western lowland gorillas A zoo can be described as: This case study draws in all the As this species is now categorised Enrichment activity provision “A professionally elements of the work of a good as critically endangered, it is managed modern zoo. important that we maintain Managing breeding groups genetically healthy captive and programmes zoological ZSL London Zoo houses a breeding populations. group of Western lowland gorillas. Enclosure maintenance and institution, having At present there are three adult Keeping gorillas development female gorillas, one juvenile A zoo keeper must undertake the a collection of female and one male silverback following: Behavioural observations gorilla. living animals Food selection, preparation Communicating with other zoo used for and delivery staff within the Zoo, the UK and abroad conservation, Cleaning indoor and outdoor enclosures. scientific studies, Writing daily reports public education , Health monitoring. Keeping up to date with conservation issues. and public Medical intervention with the displays” help of veterinary staff Training animals to maintain animal health Continued overleaf P A G E 4 Caring for captive populations The ZSL London Zoo troop dominant adult male (the privacy and location choice. “The need to prevent currently consists of three Silverback) controls a number Proximity to visitors can be inbreeding and adult females - Zaire, Effie and of breeding females. In the decided by the gorillas. Mjukuu. They are part of a captive environment at maintain genetic breeding group and share London Zoo the enclosure The lives of the gorillas are their enclosure with provides enough space for enriched through feeding diversity among our Kumbuka, our 20 year old one Silverback territory. The activities and a training programme. A balanced diet captive populations is male gorilla.