ZSL - Zoological Society of London
Chinese Giant Salamander | Curious Creatures
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Come with Keeper Adam on a journey with us to understand why. Whatever the weather, our In With The Spiders walk-through will give you a unique way to connect with nature.
This video was created in partnership with @LiontrustAM
#LondonZoo #Spiders
Whipsnade Zoo birdkeeper Emily Merrick-White said the team had rescued the abandoned egg and monitored it for 32 days at the zoo's specialist bird nursery, before carefully transferring it to a flamingo nest where the new feathered couple - named Florence and Freddie - took the egg under their wing.
After hatching on Monday 19 June, the new flamingo family have been bonding at the conservation zoo, with both adoptive parents caring equally for the fluffy grey two-week-old.
Visit the UK’s largest conservation zoo this summer to see the flamboyance of flamingos alongside 10,000 other animals, this summer. Every ticket supports ZSL’s vital science and conservation work around the globe.
The treatment formed part of a long-term medical plan for 13-year-old Asiatic lion Bhanu, which was put in motion after a rather big-CAT scan last year revealed that persistent ear infections were being caused by an unusually narrow ear canal.
All creatures great and small can develop ear infections, but the scan revealed ear drops weren’t reaching the problem area because of the size of his ear canal - so Bhanu was prescribed regular inflammatory and anti-fungal medication, as well as an annual health-check and ear clean, which was carried out last week (21 June).
Find out more about the procedure: londonzoo.org
We’re excited to have the amazing Cheryl Hole hosting our Pride event, which will celebrate influential LGBTQIA+ figures within science and conservation, while revealing surprising facts about LGBTQIA+ behaviours in nature.
Don’t miss a whole host of fabulous pride-themed activities - from designing your own animal 'drag mascot', to pride quizzes, delicious street food and inspiration from more than 14,000 animals. All proceeds raised supports ZSL’s vital science and conservation work across the globe.
#ZooNights2023
Now, Spanish red kites are struggling
As part of on-going work to recover Spanish red kites, 30 British-born birds received health checks with our vets before their return to the Spanish mountains.
The health checks from the #DRAHS team not only help ensure that the birds are in the best shape possible prior to their release in their new homes, and also help protect the wildlife that they’ll soon be living alongside from any potential new disease.
The British red kite population was once limited to just a small handful of individuals in Wales. Thanks to the reintroduction of kites from Spain and Sweden, British red kites are now well on the road to recovery.
The health checks are part of a 3-year programme to recover the Spanish kite populations with Forestry England, The Boughton Estate, @RSPBVideo , @naturalenglandvideo , @roydenniswildlifefoundatio9447 and @accionporelmundo5926 in Spain.
The cubs, who will turn one later this month, cooled off in the newly filled pond, playing with giant floating balls under the watchful gaze of parents Gaysha and Asim.
Known as 'vampire deer' due to their set of sharp ‘fangs’, the tiny Chinese water deer measured just 12cm at birth, and are being cared for around the clock.
In a few weeks' time they will be moving to London Zoo. Once settled and big enough to fend for themselves, you’ll soon be able to see the tiny fawns.
Chinese water deer are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of threatened species, as populations in the wild continue to decline in the face of threats including habitat loss and hunting. Every visit to our conservation zoos supports ZSL’s vital science and conservation work around the globe.
Wilf, as the youngster is affectionately known at the conservation zoo, was born last November to ten-year-old Bashu and eight-year-old mum Luna as part of a collaborative international conservation breeding programme for the endangered species - and despite being just seven-months-old, is already towering above keepers, at 8ft 8inches tall.
Visitors at Whipsnade Zoo can see Wilf and the rest of the reticulated giraffe herd this Father’s Day – every ticket to the conservation zoo supports ZSL’s vital science and conservation work across the globe: whipsnadezoo.org/tickets
Thank you to everyone who has already signed up, including some four-legged participants…
London Zoo’s pygmy goats will take on Whipsnade Zoo’s golden Guernsey goats this June to compete for first place in the league table. Sponsor your favourites and track their progress here: zsl.org/goats Or why not follow their lead and turn your daily exercise into fundraising? Set your own target to support our work for wildlife, clock your distance on our global tracker, and see how, together, we can make progress around the world.
#AroundTheWorld
Mikumi has huge teeth which help her to crush and grind the grass and other vegetation she eats into tiny pieces. Without these large teeth remaining in tip top condition she would struggle to eat, or poorly digested pieces of plant fibres could make their way into her digestive tract, causing health issues.”
The dedicated team at the conservation zoo reached out to experts in New Zealand, Australia and America for advice, and invited top equine dentist Dr Chris Pearce to give her a check-up in the comfort of her own den on Tuesday 16 May.
Mikumi was anaesthetised in her cosy behind-the-scenes indoor den before more than 20 zookeepers helped to gently re-position her on her bed of soft straw for the exam. Throughout the dental examination four zookeepers helped to keep Mikumi’s heavy jaw open wide as Chris examined Mikumi’s teeth, while specially designed equipment helped the equine dentist to perform a thorough dental exam as Mikumi slept.
During the exam, Dr Chris discovered one of Mikumi’s molars had a small fracture: the dentist was able to the clean the tooth and fix the problem, preventing future dental disease.
The sleeping dormice were were placed under a miniature dormice-sized dose of general anaesthetic while their heart and lungs were checked with a stethoscope.
Their eyes, ears, nose, teeth and fur were visually examined, and a tiny microchip was gently placed under their skin to allow for easy identification in post-release monitoring.
Find out more about the species: zsl.org/what-we-do/species/hazel-dormouse
During each 20 gram dormouse’s 10-minute appointment with our expert vets, they were placed under a miniature dormice-sized dose of general anaesthetic while their heart and lungs were checked with a stethoscope.
Their eyes, ears, nose, teeth and fur were visually examined, and a tiny microchip was gently placed under their skin to allow for easy identification in post-release monitoring.
The dormice will be stay at our conservation Zoo, London Zoo, where they receive expert care and regular monitoring in the lead up to next month’s release by Peoples Trust for Endangered species.
Find out more about dormice in the UK: zsl.org/what-we-do/species/hazel-dormouse
#shorts #short
The family of three – made up of Mum Kaituma, Dad Milagre and 10-month-old baby Maya – moved to the Regent’s Park conservation zoo from sister-site Whipsnade Zoo on 27th April and have settled in well to their new home in London Zoo’s temperature-controlled tropical biome, Rainforest Life.
Thousands of Partula snails reared at London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and St Louis Zoo, were carefully flown over 15,000km to the islands of Moorea and Tahiti earlier this month, for the largest reintroduction in history.
Thousands of Partula snails reared at London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and St Louis Zoo, were carefully flown over 15,000km to the islands of Moorea and Tahiti earlier this month, for the largest reintroduction in history.
Find out more and sign up: aroundtheworld.zsl.org/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_content=promo-video&utm_campaign=around-the-world
Our zookeepers arranged a cracking treat for our animals, and the egg-citement is well underway at Whipsnade with our Pip and Posy explorer trail: whipsnadezoo.org/Easter
We are always looking for new ways to encourage the animals' natural hunting and foraging behaviours, and Easter provides the perfect opportunity.
Discover more about our amazing animals with our family-friendly trail – perfect for little legs and included in Zoo entry or membership.
When you have a day out at Whipsnade Zoo, you’re supporting our vital work to protect animals around the world.
While families are busy with the Zoonormous Egg Hunt, our zookeepers are stepping into the role of the Easter bunny to make sure our animals don't miss out on the Easter egg-citement!
We’re always exploring creative new ways for our animals to practise their natural foraging and hunting behaviours, and Easter provides the perfect opportunity.
Join in the fun, learn all about our egg-laying species, and enjoy family trail and crafts – running until 16 April and included in Zoo entry or membership.
By visiting us, you’re supporting our vital work to restore wildlife in the UK and around the world.
Chill out after hours at the Zoo this summer for an unmissable evening mixing wildlife and city life, just for adults.
From 9 June to 28 July, every Friday at 6pm – tickets coming soon! Register your interest here: londonzoo.org/ZooNights
The fluffy grey chick, nicknamed ‘Egbert’, had a dramatic start to life, and our zookeepers have been hand-feeding the youngster. The chick will remain in their expert care until around three months of age, when it will be self-sufficient enough to be returned to its parents.
Egbert’s arrival, combined with our work in India protecting wild vultures, is a brilliant conservation success, and shows the power of conservation zoos to restore and protect threatened species across the world.
Learn all about our other eggstra-ordinary egg laying animals – from Humboldt penguins to butterflies – with our Zoonormous Egg Hunt this Easter. Activities start on Saturday! londonzoo.org/Easter
The chick, which weighed just 115g at hatch, had a dramatic start to life.
Zookeepers were excited when mum Philomena laid her egg in mid-January but were concerned for its survival: her inexperience as a first-time mum had led her to leave her previous egg for long periods of time, which meant that sadly it never hatched.
To give the youngster the best chance of survival, this time, the team moved Philomena’s new egg, which they nicknamed ‘Egbert’, to a special vulture incubator, where they kept it at a toasty 36.8°C and monitored it closely.
The hatching process can actually take a few days in total. As soon as the first break in the shell is made, the egg’s membrane starts to dry out, which can restrict its movement and prevent it from surviving the hatch – our keepers saw this happening and knew they had to step in to help.
Working with colleagues from The Horstman Trust – vulture specialists who offered support and guidance over video call - the team gently helped the little one to safety over the course of 40 minutes. The chick has gone from strength to strength and is now weighing a healthy 265g.
Rupell’s griffon vulture are the world’s highest-flying birds, documented to have reached soaring heights of 10,973 meters above sea level – the same height as most aeroplanes. These extraordinary birds play a critical role in protecting ecosystems - by feeding on abandoned animal carcasses, they ensure the African countryside is free of harmful diseases.
London Zoo has a long history with vultures: they were one of the first animals at London Zoo - the world’s oldest scientific zoo - when it opened almost 200 years ago, but unfortunately, in that time the wild vulture population has plummeted; in just 11 years these spectacular birds went from being classified as being of ‘Least Concern’ in 2004 to ‘Critically Endangered’ in 2015.
ZSL, the international conservation charity behind London Zoo, has worked closely with Saving Asia’s Vultures from Extinction (SAVE) to protect vultures in Southern Asia: in 2006 London Zoo veterinarians flew to Nepal to investigate a spate of vulture deaths and were instrumental in successfully campaigning the governments of India, Nepal and Pakistan to ban the manufacture and importation of diclofenac - an anti-inflammatory used widely on cattle but lethal to the vultures who fed on their carcasses.
Learn more: londonzoo.org
Our members rallied to help name the pint-sized new arrivals – the smallest of which weighs just 6kg and measures a tiny 54cm from nose to tail - taking inspiration from their favourite Disney heroes. Elsa, Nala, Tiana, Jasmine, Baloo and Sebastian have moved to the UK’s largest zoo to take on the important role of wildlife ambassadors, helping to inspire the next generation of conservationists to protect the world’s wildlife.
Visit the new goat herd, along with the 10,000 other animals, at Whipsnade Zoo this Easter: whipsnadezoo.org/tickets
Tadeo was the first ever Visayan warty pig to be born at the conservation zoo, and his stripy arrival late last year was a boost for the threatened species, known as the world’s rarest pig due to their being fewer than 200 left in the wild.
Visit Tess and Tadeo and more than 10,000 other animals at Whipsnade Zoo this Mother’s Day, for the perfect family day out getting closer to wildlife.
Collaborating with communities on the ground and around the world, we are protecting critical species, restoring healthy ecosystems and inspiring support for nature, all driven by world-leading science.
Our unique insight and evidence-based approach informs positive change and underpins sustainable solutions that really work - for wildlife and people, creating a future where wildlife can thrive.
Find out more at zsl.org
Collaborating with communities on the ground and around the world, we are protecting critical species, restoring healthy ecosystems and inspiring support for nature, all driven by world-leading science.
Our unique insight and evidence-based approach informs positive change and underpins sustainable solutions that really work - for wildlife and people, creating a future where wildlife can thrive.
Two crime-fighting canines, Buster and Bess, are preparing to join our team of experts protecting the Critically Endangered pangolin in Thailand.
The Labradors recently graduated from a training programme with the Metropolitan Police and will fly to Thailand in April to officially become part of the ZSL team - working alongside conservationists, border force operatives and in-country law-enforcement.
Not all heroes wear capes: some walk on all fours and have extremely powerful noses!
Led by ZSL, the crime-fighting venture is a collaboration with the Metropolitan Police Service and United for Wildlife and is made possible through funding from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund and DP World, with the deployment of Buster and Bess in Thailand following on from ZSL’s previous work introducing sniffer dog units to hotspots for illegal wildlife trade in Mongolia.
The trailblazing trio, named Earl, Elvis and Einstein, arrived at the UK’s largest zoo from West Midlands Safari Park on Wednesday 1 February and have spent the past few weeks getting to know their new love interests - sisters Beebee and Ginger - in their new home in the heart of the idyllic Dunstable Downs.
Visitors to Whipsnade Zoo, a ZSL conservation zoo, can visit Elvis, Einstein and Earl, as well as 10,000 other animals this February - book here: whipsnadezoo.org
Visitors to London Zoo can hang out with Marilyn, Nova, and 14,000 other animals this January. Book tickets for today at zsl.org/London
#ZSLZooBabies
Two otter pups were born in October, and they've just started to venture out and explore. Carol and Ernie are very paws-on and protective parents, shepherding them back if they totter too far, but we managed to get a sneak peek this week!
Keepers now know that we have one male and one female pup. We hope to share more updates very soon!
Whipsnade Zoo’s keepers began the mammoth task of counting every animal for their annual stocktake today (Thursday 5 January 2023).
Home to more than 10,000 animals, zookeepers at the UK’s largest Zoo gathered their clipboards and calculators, to take stock of each invertebrate, bird, fish, mammal, reptile and amphibian.
Some species are easy to count, but others can be tricky: our huge, tropical butterfly house provides a challenging counting job for our keepers, while our almost 200 deer have to be counted with a degree of stealth!
The information is shared with other zoos around the world via a database called ZIMS (Zoological Information Management System), where it’s used to help manage the worldwide conservation breeding programmes for endangered animals. Find out more: zsl.org/Whipsnade
The excitable, stripy primates discovered the colourful stockings - filled with vegetable treats - in their home at the UK’s largest zoo and spared no time tucking into their festive gifts.
Pien, a female lemur seemed to take particular delight in the Christmas surprises, sticking her entire head inside the stocking of treats to find every last, prized, piece of sweetcorn.
The conservation Zoo is open every day except Christmas Day. Book tickets at zsl.org/Whipsnade
The Junior Keeper for a Day experience at ZSL London Zoo is a day where young people (aged 11-15 years) can experience and get a behind the scenes look at what really goes on in a zookeeper's day at the world's most famous Zoo. Find out more and book today: zsl.org/experiences/junior-keeper
Visitors can see Zhiwa, as well as baby elephant Nang Phaya and 10,000 other animals, throughout December, and enjoy a wonderful winter’s day out at Whipsnade Zoo. The conservation Zoo is open every day except Christmas Day. Book tickets or find out more about the Zoo’s conservation work: zsl.org/Whipsnade
Lions, meerkats and squirrel monkeys kick off the countdown to Christmas on Wednesday morning (November 30) - opening three very different advent calendars at London Zoo.
Asiatic lions Arya and Bhanu get paws-on as they follow a festive scent trail of cinnamon and nutmeg to a giant handmade calendar, while the Bolivian black-capped squirrel monkey troop test their agility as they forage amongst hanging advent pouches for their favourite treats.
Elsewhere, the meerkats, Meko, Penelope, Dracula and Frank, wake up to their own unique calendar - searching behind 25 doors to find their favourite cricket snacks.
The 5ft 4ft tall gentle giant has arrived to lead the troop, females Mjukuu and Effie, and youngsters Alika and Gernot, in the family’s Gorilla Kingdom home – with high hopes the match-making effort will lead to a further increase to the gorilla population.
Read more about the new arrival: zsl.org/London
Sneak peek: Watch footage of our towering new arrival, Wilfred 🥰 You might be lucky enough to see him over the festive season: zsl.org/Whipsnade
Born on Remembrance Day, the giraffe calf has been named after the renowned WW1 poet Wilfred Owen.
We’ll be giving him some quiet time with mum Luna and dad Bashu in their behind-the-scenes barn over the next week, but they’ll soon join the rest of the close-knit, family herd who will show him all the vital skills he needs to learn.
Bethan gives us an update on what is meant to be the penultimate day of the negotiations - although it looks like they may go on for a few more days.
As part of COP27 Biodiversity Day, Bethan and colleague Dr Nathalie Pettorelli spoke at a side event highlighting how rewilding, an important nature-based solution, can help cities across the world build resilience against the direct and indirect impacts of climate change. Read more here: zsl.org
As week two of COP begins, Bethan gives us an update on how things are going.
COP 27, followed by COP 19 in Panama in November and COP15 in Montreal in December, will together put a much-needed spotlight on the decline in global biodiversity.
But without coordinated nature-based policies in place across the world, animals will continue to go extinct, ecosystems will continue to break down and climate change will continue to change life on earth as we know it.
It is vital that governments commit to using nature-based solutions - rooted in science from ZSL and organisations like it - to tackle the combined threats of climate change, biodiversity loss and public health crises.
It is with science that those in power must start: throughout conference season, ZSL is calling for world leaders to put nature at the heart of all global decision-making to better protect ecosystems, wildlife and the communities who rely on them.
Learn more about ZSL's global science and conservation work: zsl.org/NatureAtHeart
Together with the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), York University, SPVS - Wildlife Research and Environmental Education Institute, and Fundação Grupo Boticário de Proteção à Natureza, we discussed the health, climate and nature benefits that nature-based climate action could bring to cities.
Surrounded by our brand new coral exhibit, each interactive story follows a different marine creature as it journeys through the ocean, exploring its surroundings and meeting colourful creatures!
Weekly sessions are available in five-week blocks every Tuesday morning from 10:30 am during term-time.
With a different interactive story each week, there is lots to explore and experience together, to strengthen relationships and create ever-lasting memories. zsl.org/experiences
Go inside the meerkats' home and watch as they scamper around you whilst searching for their food. Ask all of your pressing questions about these charismatic animals! zsl.org/experiences
An zoo expert will guide you onto the rainforest floor to feed the monkeys and see what other species you can spot including sloths, tortoises and bats!
zsl.org/experiences
How long do giraffes sleep for? What’s their favourite food? How on earth do you carry out a veterinary health check on them? Join one of our experts behind-the-scenes and ask away as you jump into keeper life and explore just what it takes to look after these graceful giants. Book today: zsl.org/experiences
Our ring-tailed lemur troop spared no time removing lids from their pumpkins to pick out the sweetcorn concealed inside, while Khari carefully rolled his along the ground to get his paws on the treats. Greater one-horned rhino mum Behan and her daughter Zhiwa, for whom pumpkin itself is a special treat, also had fun rolling the carved vegetables around with their horns before munching on them.
Book tickets today for hairy, but not too scary, half-term fun!


