THE YEAR IN REVIEW 2010 ZSL globlIVINAgl co reaNscervatiH oN Our Vision A world where animals are valued, and their conservation assured. Our Mission To promote and achieve the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. 2 The Year in review 2010 introduction Success in the spotlight Sir Patrick Bateson reflects on a varied, busy and extremely successful year for ZSL in 2010, which raised the Society’s public profile higher than ever before. In many ways, 2010 was a triumphant 500km south of the Maldives, have year for ZSL, with the broadcasting of None of these some of the least polluted waters in the a major three-part TV documentary achievements would world, offering scientists an unrivalled and the announcement of the Chagos opportunity to study a near-pristine Marine Protected Area (MPA). Both have been possible ocean habitat and monitor the effects projects demonstrated the extraordinary without our staff, of climate change. ZSL was involved in dynamism and passion that ZSL’s staff the Chagos campaign from the start, bring to their work. supporters, members coordinating partner organisations, This same passion and energy can and volunteers drumming up support and raising be seen every day at ZSL’s bases in awareness, so the successful conclusion London and Whipsnade, and also across was deeply gratifying for all concerned. the globe. Zoo, visitors were able to enjoy a The ITV series, The Zoo, which took Our brilliant team at the Institute of wonderfully immersive experience in a year to film, aired in November. This Zoology (IoZ) continues to lead the field Clore Rainforest Lookout and Night Life, engaging programme brought the work in scientific research, conducting studies while ZSL Whipsnade Zoo welcomed of ZSL to millions of viewers on prime- ranging from how damaged ecosystems back the beasts of ancient Britain with time television, not to mention giving increase the threat of disease to the the opening of Wild Wild Whipsnade. We a boost to visitor numbers. likely outcome of a proposed badger cull were delighted to receive a prestigious I need hardly add that none of these in the UK. Our field conservationists, Gold Award from the Green Tourism achievements would have been possible meanwhile, continued to support Business Scheme, and for ZSL London without the hard work, dedication and community and conservation projects Zoo to be chosen as the overall winner enthusiasm of our staff, supporters, around the world; among their most of Best Tourism Experience 2010 by members and volunteers. ZSL’s exciting successes in 2010 was the Visit London. worldwide reputation and continuing rediscovery of the Horton Plains slender Perhaps the most rewarding success is entirely thanks to you. loris in Sri Lanka. development, from a conservation point Closer to home, both Zoos opened of view, came in April, with the creation major new exhibits. At ZSL London of the world’s largest MPA, covering 210,000 square miles of the Chagos Sir Patrick Bateson FRS Left A Malayan tapir Archipelago. These beautiful islands, President, Zoological Society of London The Year in review 2010 3 ZSL Living coNservatioN Global reach In 2010, ZSL ran more than 150 vital field conservation and research projects in more than 50 countries. Here is just a sample of ZSL’s work at home and abroad. For more information visit zsl.org. 1 UK: Garden Bird Health Initiative ZSL is investigating the causes of garden bird deaths and disease across the UK. 1 Assisted by the general public and volunteers, the initiative is working to 2 2 3 determine best practice for protecting garden birds. 4 21 12 5 2 Turkey and Greece: Fish Net 5 10 6 Fish Net exists to save freshwater fish 6 8 species using a multidisciplinary approach. With a dynamic programme of captive breeding, education, research 5 Chad and and field conservation initiatives, Fish Niger: Pan Sahara 7 Net’s highlights include the rediscovery Wildlife Survey of a fish thought to be extinct. ZSL works with the Sahara Conservation Fund to secure 3 Italy: Sardinian newt a future for the threatened fauna of the Sahara, including 9 8 Cameroon: Wildlife the last documented Wood Project population of wild addax. ZSL’s Wildlife Wood Project works 13 with logging companies to 6 Liberia and improve wildlife management in Sierra Leone: logging concessions. The team’s Pygmy hippo innovative approach helps A focal species of companies to carry out ‘wildlife- ZSL’s EDGE of friendly’ logging, which ensures Existence programme, the industry itself can play an scientists and active role in wildlife conservation. conservationists have been leading efforts to 9 Chile: Darwin’s frog (EDGE) save the endangered pygmy hippo. With Uniquely, when Darwin’s frogs reproduce, partner organisations, ZSL captured it is the males that care for the young by the first photos of the species and has incubating them in their vocal sacs. created a specialist group dedicated to Protecting this special species is a priority conserving it. for ZSL, and conservation actions include sponsoring a Chilean EDGE Fellow 7 Namibia: Tsaobis baboon to discover why these frogs are Scientists are undertaking a long-term disappearing and the extent 4 Algeria: North study that so far has shed light on to which the deadly African cheetah social foraging, sexual signals and chytrid fungus is anti-predator behaviour. affecting them. 4 The Year in review 2010 world 12 Mexico: Whales 19 Philippines: Scientists have been studying whales to Project determine the effect of rising levels of Seahorse ultraviolet radiation on health. They have found that blue, fin and sperm whales exhibit skin damage associated with acute sunburn in humans, and that it appears to be getting worse over time. 13 Antarctica: Penguins Penguins are under threat from climate change, and our 20 Russia: Amur tigers scientists are using innovative and leopards techniques to help them. It is estimated that there are only 30 Amur leopards 14 Bangladesh: Tigers left in the wild, and We work with local communities just 400 Amur tigers. 22 to mitigate human-tiger conflict. ZSL is carrying out 20 monitoring patrols 15 India: Gyps vultures to protect and survey 16 ZSL is providing funding and veterinary Amur tigers and working 15 14 expertise to protect the country’s to prevent fires that are 17 Gyps vultures. destroying Amur leopard habitats. 19 18 16 Nepal: Greater 21 Saudi Arabia: King Khalid 23 one-horned rhino Wildlife Research Centre 11 The centre is responsible for captive breeding of endangered gazelle species and their introduction into protected areas. ZSL manages the centre on behalf of the Saudi Wildlife Commission. 24 10 Dominica: 22 Mongolia: Wildlife Amphibians Picture Index Emerging infectious diseases and We are monitoring conservation the lethal chytrid fungus are programmes using camera decimating amphibian numbers. trapping techniques. ZSL is working to mitigate these effects and to protect amphibians on the island by using rapid diagnostic and surveillance technology. 17 Thailand: Asian elephant 11 Indonesia: Sumatran tiger We work with park rangers and 23 Chagos Archipelago local villagers to mitigate conflicts between humans 24 New Zealand: Hihi and elephants. Endemic to New Zealand, the endangered hihi bird is one focus of scientists’ 18 Sri Lanka: attention at ZSL, in a bid to discover Red slender loris more about the hihi and how best to Conservationists are leading work to conserve it. Researchers have discovered discover more about the little-known red that parent birds which eat plenty of fruit slender loris, and how to restore the and vegetables are better able to protect forest areas in which it lives. their chicks against parasites. The Year in review 2010 5 ZSL living coNservatioN From a major television series to the declaration of the world’s largest marine reserve, ZSL continued to enjoy a high profile in 2010. ZSL in the news January February Taking stock Plotting penguins Keepers at both ZSL Zoos kicked off Heading to the bottom of the globe, the year with a mammoth task – the ZSL scientists undertook an Antarctic annual animal stocktake. More than voyage to discover how best to protect 20,000 animals were totted up across penguins from the effects of climate ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade change. With support from travel Zoo, including new Asiatic lion cubs company Exodus, scientists are plotting and a newly arrived Komodo dragon. colony movements to devise the best actions for conserving these birds. Cleaner fish dish Leaving nothing to chance out punishment Tigers at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo became ZSL scientists discovered male bluestreak ambassadors for their wild counterparts cleaner wrasse have no qualms about by sending out a stark message at the chasing fellow fish that resort to sneaky start of the Chinese Year of the Tiger. March food tactics. The study, published in the Siberian tigers Mickail and Anastasia journal Science, found that male fish will had their usual playthings replaced Wildlife outprices gold chase any females having too much of a with giant dice to remind people that Scientists at ZSL shone the spotlight nibble on ‘client’ fish. What seems like a the species’ survival in the wild must on a wildlife treasure trove in Guyana selfless act is anything but, as the males not be left to chance and that more under threat by gold dredging. Surveys only have their own stomachs in mind. must be done to conserve the species. by the team revealed an abundance of threatened wildlife living in the Zookeeper Lucy and area, which helped the practice a pair of meerkats become outlawed in the unspoilt Rewa Head region. The capital gets its very own rainforest ZSL London Zoo brought the sights, sounds and smells of the Bolivian rainforest to the city, with the opening of a new exhibit.