Bristol Zoological Society is championing a group of endangered animals as part of a pledge to reverse the decline of 97 of the world’s most threatened species.
The 97 species include threatened birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians, as well as larger mammals such as gorillas, giraffe and lemurs.
As part of the pledge, the conservation charity will shine a spotlight on six flagship species, like the blue-eyed black lemur and Ankarafa skeleton frog.
The Bristol Zoological Society is working to protect critically endangered blue-eyed black lemurs in Madagascar, as well as the turquoise dwarf gecko in Tanzania.
Other critically endangered species the charity is focusing on are the Negros bleeding-heart dove in the Philippines, the Ankarafa skeleton frog in Madagascar, and the Corfu toothcarp in Greece.
The Bristol Zoological Society is also leading a captive breeding and reintroduction programme for the endangered white-clawed crayfish in the UK.
“This is an important moment for us as a conservation charity, as we pledge to reverse the decline of such a diverse range of species,” said Bristol Zoological Society’s director of conservation and science, Brian Zimmerman.
“We are currently working in nine countries across four continents and involved in 40 co-ordinated breeding programmes. We want to continue to build on this work.
Charity makes pledge to Reverse the Red
“From critically endangered western lowland gorillas, which many people will know and love, to lesser-known birds, fish and amphibians, every species on this list needs our help to survive.
“We have chosen our six flagship species as they might be considered by some to be ‘neglected species’ that need a champion to save them from extinction.
“They reflect the range of countries we work in and are from very small geographical locations, where with local partners, we work to save them from extinction. For those, we are leading the charge.”
The charity is making the pledge to Reverse the Red, a global coalition of organisations focused on the survival of wild species and ecosystems.
Reverse the Red is hosting the first-ever World Species Congress on 15 May, where the pledges will be shared.
To coincide with its pledge, the Bristol Zoological Society is launching a new fundraising appeal. Zimmerman said: “At our Bristol Zoo Project site in South Gloucestershire, 78 percent of the animals we care for are both threatened, and part of targeted conservation programmes – our aim is for this to rise to 90 percent by 2035.
“We hope people will support our pledge and appeal and join us in fighting extinction.”
Bristol Zoological Society owns and operates the Bristol Zoo Project.
Images courtesy of Bristol Zoological Society
