ZSL Annual Report and Accounts | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2015 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 CONSERVATION REVIEW | 2015 ZSL Conservation Review 2015 ZSL Institute of Zoology An in-depth look at our Review 2014/2015 conservation and research, All our research activities, showing how we are achieving our collaborations, publications key targets at home and abroad. and funding in one yearly report. ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS | CONTENTS WELCOME | ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS Welcome 3 WELCOME Trustees’ report The President and Director General of the OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Zoological Society of London introduce our review 2015. 4 ZSL’S VISION, MISSION AND AIMS ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE As President of the Zoological Society of ZSL achieved a tremendous amount in 2015, 10 ZSL’S GLOBAL IMPACT London (ZSL), I am delighted to present our and I am proud to lead a Society conducting 2015 Annual Report. Having been President world-leading science and conservation. We 12 UK IMPACT for a year, it has been marvellous to be part of continued to make remarkable discoveries 14 MONITORING THE PLANET this truly wonderful organisation. It’s great to about some of the planet’s most threatened see the Society moving forward with drive and species and most vulnerable habitats. 16 DEVELOPING CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGY ambition, carrying out such outstanding work. The year saw the launch of our new 18 SAVING THREATENED SPECIES As a lead partner in the Great British Oceans campaign, we played brand, creating an identity for ZSL that strongly represents us as an a key role in securing a monumental win for marine wildlife in 2015. organisation. With the care and conservation of animals at the heart of 20 IMPROVING WILDLIFE HEALTH The UK government announced its intention to create the world’s everything we do, our new call to action, ‘Let’s work for wildlife’, 22 CONSERVATION FOR COMMUNITIES largest marine reserve around the Pitcairn Islands, a UK Overseas couldn’t be more apt. We take pride in our passion for, and dedication Territory in the South Pacific. With WWF’s Living Blue Planet Report, to, animals, and are excited about what we can achieve in the future. 24 ENGAGING WITH BUSINESS highlighting research led by ZSL, showing a crisis in global oceans In 2015, we launched our biggest conservation partnership to date, 26 ENCOURAGING LIFELONG LEARNING and populations of marine species having halved since 1970, this the South Sumatra Eco-Region Alliance. Representing the single largest announcement was all the more relevant. conservation grant in ZSL’s history, the project is designed to ensure 30 MAKING OUR WORK POSSIBLE There has also been important progress in Nepal, where we have long-term protection for Sumatra’s precious peatlands, home to PLANS FOR THE FUTURE been awarded a £1.4m grant from the IUCN (International Union for vulnerable species including the Sumatran tiger, and currently under the Conservation of Nature) Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation severe pressure from commercial business, including the palm oil 34 LOOKING AHEAD Programme to expand our existing work to protect these incredible industry. I also had the great honour of formally launching ZSL’s SUPPORTING ZSL big cats. The grant will enable us to improve measures to safeguard collaborative Asiatic lion conservation project when I signed the tigers on both sides of the Nepal-India border. Meanwhile, our milestone agreement with the Gujarat State Government in India. 36 GETTING INVOLVED scientists made a really important discovery in China, where a new After a great deal of preparation, the agreement marked a significant 38 SUPPORT family group of the world’s rarest ape, the Hainan gibbon, was step in ZSL’s plans to help conserve this magnificent species. sighted, giving enhanced hopes of survival. And a research trip in Groundbreaking research into wildlife health saw ZSL lead on a paper FINANCIAL REVIEW AND GOVERNANCE the Caribbean led to the identification of a new species of rodent, revealing the first-ever successful elimination of the fatal chytrid fungus 42 FINANCIAL REVIEW the James Bond hutia – named after the US naturalist who inspired in a wild amphibian species – a major breakthrough in the fight against Ian Fleming’s fictional spy. the disease devastating amphibians worldwide. 46 PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES Conservation breeding programmes have led to significant ZSL Whipsnade Zoo welcomed more than 650,000 visitors in 2015, 48 GOVERNANCE achievements at ZSL. I would highlight the successful world-first making it the most successful year since 1965. The opening of the breeding and rearing of the Critically Endangered Lake Oku clawed new visitor centre has transformed the Zoo’s entrance, while its new Financial statements frog at ZSL London Zoo, and a much-welcomed new addition to the Butterfly House has proven popular with visitors. New walk-through greater one-horned rhino herd at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. exhibits at ZSL London Zoo, In with the Lemurs and In with the Spiders, 50 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The year also saw a special broadcast documentary on ITV, have also received very positive feedback, each demonstrating the Meet the Penguins. The programme followed Adrian Walls, head of educational and inspirational experience we offer. With a combined birds at ZSL London Zoo, on an expedition to Peru to learn from local total of more than 1.8 million visitors in 2015, our Zoos continue to experts and share his knowledge about Humboldt penguins, and attract and engage audiences from all over the world and a wealth fulfil his personal dream of seeing the threatened birds in the wild. of successes have kept the Society at the forefront of innovative We couldn’t have hoped for a better way to showcase the passion conservation and scientific discovery. I’d like to take this opportunity of our staff, all of whom devote their lives to the care of animals and to thank everyone who is involved with ZSL in some way, either as an conservation. Thank you to all who continue to play a part in such organisation with which we collaborate, or as one of our hardworking exciting and important work. and dedicated employees or volunteers. Professor Sir John Beddington, FRS Ralph Armond President, Zoological Society of London Director General, Zoological Society of London 2 | ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2015 | zsl.org zsl.org | ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2015 | 3 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS | OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES ZSL’s vision, mission and aims As an organisation, we’re driven by a number of principles and Guiding principles objectives for the worldwide conservation of animals and their In carrying out its mission, habitats – here, we outline the core aims that shape our work. ZSL has adopted the following guiding principles: The Trustees present their Annual Report and Accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2015. The financial Respecting and valuing animals statements have been prepared in accordance with the and the natural world accounting policies set out in note 1 of the accounts and comply Our belief is that a diverse and healthy with the charity’s Charters and Byelaws, the Charities Act 2011 natural world is valuable in its own right and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of and is essential for ensuring secure and Recommended Practice applicable to charities healthy lives for people. This motivates preparing their accounts in accordance ZSL’s vision and mission, and our other with the Financial Reporting core values follow from this. Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland Inspiring conservation action ZSL’s objectives published on We seek to motivate others to take 16 July 2014. conservation action in their daily lives. and mission statement Achieving excellence in our field Building on our heritage, our Royal ZSL’s core objectives, Patronage since 1831 and our reputation as set out in its Charter, are: as a learned society, we aim to be an authoritative source of information and good ‘The advancement of zoology by, among other things, the practice for the scientific study, conservation and husbandry of animals; and to make conducting of scientific research, the promoting of conservation of efficient and effective use of available biological diversity and the welfare of animals, the care for and breeding resources to achieve the highest possible of endangered and other species, the fostering of public interest, the standards in everything we do in the operation of a successful and innovative improvement and dissemination of zoological knowledge and participation conservation organisation. in conservation worldwide.’ Acting ethically, responsibly and sustainably In shaping our objectives for the year and planning our activities, ZSL’s Trustees We aim to operate in fair and have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and fee justifiable ways that do not charging. Initiatives include educational visits at heavily discounted prices, free conflict with our mission and objectives, and which respect visits as part of the junior citizen initiative and Special Children’s Days at discounted the environment. prices. We also fund and run a world-renowned zoological library, with open access at no charge. Valuing everyone we work with We support and value teamwork Our mission: and collaboration, strive for fair and equitable treatment of To promote and achieve the worldwide conservation everyone with whom we work and of animals and their habitats. come into contact, and aim to act with respect and courtesy in all Our vision: our dealings. A world where animals are valued and their conservation assured.