Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire, England has launched a new conservation strategy as scientists say the planet is in the midst of the sixth mass extinction crisis.
Per a press release, climate change is leaving one million animal and plant species on the brink of extinction. The new plan outlines the zoo’s six conservation goals through to 2030. It serves as a call to action for itself and other modern zoos to evaluate their activities, assess their impact and collaborate.
“The challenges facing our planet require coordinated global action and we can all help to make a difference,” said Craig Dunkerley, CEO of Twycross Zoo.
“At Twycross Zoo, we’re committed to inspiring and educating more people than ever before about the importance of conservation and urgent need to protect the natural world, so we’re incredibly proud to launch our new strategy, which reflects our unwavering focus on conservation action.”
The six conservation goals are as follows:
- Support the maintenance of healthy ex-situ populations of managed species with a focus on threatened primates and species with a conservation breeding role
- Build conservation resources and capacity at the zoo and in animal range countries to support the preservation of wild populations and their habitats
- Deliver conservation education
- Enhance the value of zoos for wildlife conservation by action and influencing regional and national policy
- Conserve UK native wildlife and habitats at the zoo and beyond, and support key environmental initiatives in the UK
- Become a sustainable organisation and minimise the zoo’s contribution to climate change
By 2030, Twycross Zoo aims to increase the number of European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) ex-situ programme species housed to 75 percent, protect and manage 30 percent of its land for wildlife, recycle more than 50 percent of waste generated at the site, and train 5,000 native species community champions as part of a green volunteering scheme.
“Urgent need to protect the natural world”
The strategy is spearheaded by Dr Rebecca Biddle, Twycross Zoo’s director of conservation, who said: “Right now, one million animal and plant species are on the brink of extinction. More than ever, there’s an urgent need to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our planet, through collaboration, evidence-based decision making, and conservation action.”
She added: “It is our mission to increase Twycross Zoo’s global conservation impact, through maintaining healthy populations of endangered species, but also by increasing capacity and funding to support the protection of wild animals and their habitats.
“Zoos also play a vital role in conservation communication and education, and we’re proud to continue efforts to influence policy, increase awareness and inspire positive action for wildlife.”
Images courtesy of Twycross Zoo
