Zsl Wild Science Podcast

Making sure that the animals held in ZSL’s two conservation zoos, London and Whipsnade, are fed a diet that can help them thrive is crucial, both for keeping them healthy under managed care, and ensuring they are in the best possible shape for a return to the wild. Amanda Ferguson is ZSL’s Diet Management Officer and is responsible for creating tailored diets for all the animals across both ZSL Zoos, from snails to elephants! We learn how to feed an animal for which there are no guidelines, why enriched feeding methods are so important, and why you’ll rarely see a monkey at London Zoo with a banana. Overview 00:11     Harriet McAra, Host of Wild Science, Episode introduction 01:10     Interview with Amanda Ferguson 25:16     How does nutrition help us recover wild populations? 33:04     Outro and final reflections   Resources If there’s a topic you’d like to hear on a future podcast, or if you’d like to share your thoughts, email the ZSL Wild Science Podcast at: wild.science@zsl.org Check out our scien

After our Nature’s Negotiators miniseries, where we learned all about the complexities, challenges and importance of United Nations climate and biodiversity meetings, we wanted to give the gift of a bonus episode to round things off! We catch up with Bethan to hear how things went after she attended COP29, United Nations Climate Change Conference, in Azerbaijan. Overview 00:11     Harriet McAra, Host of Wild Science, Episode introduction  00:54     Bethan Laughlin, ZSL’s Senior Policy Specialist, on how the finance negotiations at COP29 played out 06:37     Bethan on the strength of language used in texts agreed at COP29, and how that came to be 10:38      Bethan on the accuracy of the portrayal of COP29 in the media 12:38     The other themes discussed at COP29 14:04     What can be expected at the next climate COP in Belem, Brazil 16:17     Outro Resources If there’s a topic you’d like to hear on a future podcast, or if you’d like to share your thoughts, email the ZSL Wild Science Podcast at: wild.science

2024 has been a big year for international climate policy, with two UN Conference of Parties, or COPs, taking place in quick succession; COP16 in Colombia followed just a few weeks later by COP29 in Azerbaijan. In this episode of Wild Science, we follow on from part one of our Nature’s Negotiators miniseries, and are once again joined by Bethan Laughlin, ZSL Senior Policy Specialist. We discuss the challenges and successes of the two biodiversity and climate COPs, tackle some new UN lingo, and hear about key hopes for the future of climate policy. Overview 00:12     Harriet McAra, Host of Wild Science, Episode introduction  01:12     Bethan Laughlin, ZSL’s Senior Policy Specialist, speaking from COP16 in Cali, Colombia 02:13     Interview with Bethan Laughlin on the successes of COP16 04:05      Insights on the ground at COP16: Davi Teles, Mónica Franco Gutiérrez & Liliana Patricia Saboyá Acosta 07:47     Georgina Chandler, ZSL’s Head of Policy and Campaigns, on digital sequence information 10:34     Cont

What does it take to reintroduce an animal to the wild safely? How do we make sure that disease risk to existing populations, and to the animals being reintroduced, is mitigated? Hear from the Disease Risk Analysis and Health Surveillance Team (DRAHS) at ZSL who are working to give animals the best start possible as they return to the wild, and whose work has contributed to the recovery of over 30 species across the world. Overview 00:11    Harriet McAra, Introduction to episode 01:01    Dr Tony Sainsbury, DRAHS lead, ZSL 05:44    Clare McNamee, Wildlife Veterinarian and Research Associate, ZSL 10:40    Dr Sophie Common, Wildlife Veterinarian and Research Associate, ZSL 17:27    Georgie Gerrard, DRAHS Project Manager, ZSL 20:32    Becky Foskett, Pathology and Field Technician, ZSL 27:45    Dr Claudia Carraro, Wildlife Veterinarian and Research Associate, ZSL 32:31    Outro and further information Resources and references If there’s a topic you’d like to hear on a future podcast, or if you’d like to share you

You may have heard of a COP, and you’ve almost definitely heard of the United Nations (UN), but how much do you know about the negotiations that go into getting nature, climate and biodiversity embedded into international policy? Ahead of the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP16) in Colombia this autumn, we’re hearing from policy experts in this two-part miniseries on how we can save the planet one meeting at a time…or at least try to. Overview 00:11     Introduction to Nature’s Negotiators mini-series 00:24     Bethan Laughlin, ZSL’s Senior Policy Specialist, speaking from a CBD intercessional meeting in Nairobi 01:07     Introduction from Harriet McAra 2:09      Interview with Bethan Laughlin on the history of the CBD, UNFCCC and Global Biodiversity Framework 10:02     Nelly Musyoka, ZSL Kenya’s Community Liaison Officer, on how the 23 CBD targets are applied to real world conservation 14:39     Bethan Laughlin on what ZSL’s priorities are for COP16 in Colombia 23:39     Fiona Dobson, RSPB, on

Out of sight…but not out of mind? Coral reefs exist largely out of sight for the majority of the world’s population, so the vast array of ecosystem services they provide for local communities are often forgotten, leading conservation efforts to feel like an uphill battle. In this episode, we talk to the people trying to tackle this problem; from using the sounds that healthy and degraded coral reefs make to monitor their restoration, to bringing people closer to coral reefs using virtual reality.   Overview 00:13    Introduction to the topic from Harriet McAra 01:26    Ben Williams, PhD student at the Institute of Zoology and UCL, on coral reefs’ importance, coral soundscapes and the Mars Assisted Reef Restoration System 08:30    Introduction to the Datascape Realities Project 08:52    John Zhang and Lourenco Viveiros, co-founders of Datascape Realities, and Jason Lynch, UCL and Institute of Zoology 28:14    Outro and further information Resources If there’s a topic you’d like to hear on a future p

Co-existence between communities living on the Korean Peninsula and carnivores such as leopards, tigers and black bears, has historically presented many challenges leading to population declines in these species. However, thanks to international treaties such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, as well as economic growth and conservation translocations, the tide is now turning on these declines in South Korea. In this episode, host Harriet McAra is joined by Joshua Elves-Powell to discuss how wildlife trade has impacted carnivores in East Asia, and the conservation measures being taken to protect these globally threatened species.   Overview 00:20 - Introduction to the topic from Harriet McAra, and introduction to the podcast guest 02:24 - Josh Elves-Powell, PhD student at the Institute of Zoology and UCL, introduction and interview 27:06 - Outro and further information   Resources If there’s a topic you’d like to hear on a future podcast, or if you’d like to share your thoughts,

The ZSL Wild Science podcast is back! After a break, we have returned to explore even more topical issues in zoology, conservation and the environment. New host, Harriet McAra, Science Communications and Events Manager at ZSL's Institute of Zoology, will take listeners on a journey to learn more about the incredible science behind ZSL's cutting-edge conservation work. Resources If there’s a topic you’d like to hear on a future podcast, or if you’d like to share your thoughts any previous episodes, email the ZSL Wild Science Podcast at wild.science@zsl.org Check out our science and conservation work at www.zsl.org/Science or www.zsl.org/conservation  Tweet us @ZSLScience with the hashtag #ZSLWildScience Follow us on Facebook @ZSLScienceAndConservation

It’s no secret that cities are generally perceived as spaces of little conservation relevance, yet local urban wildlife underpins a range of ecosystem services. In a time where rapid changes in the climate are causing more extreme natural events, wildlife is disappearing and we are becoming more and more disconnected from nature through urbanisation, could the recovery of urban ecosystems be a potential solution for a more resilient planet? In this episode, our host Ellie Darbey will discover how we can recover nature in our cities, with ZSL’s experts in rewilding, reconnecting habitats and river restoration. Does the answer lie in empowering local communities? Or is it in the plight of the hedgehog? And why must we enact the mysterious Schedule Three?   Guests Professor Nathalie Pettorelli, Institute of Zoology, ZSL Dr Chris Carbone, Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Zoology, ZSL Joe Pecorelli, Conservation Project Manager, Marine and Freshwater, Conservation & Policy, ZSL Overview 03:31 – Ellie Da

Pathology is the science of diagnosing diseases by observing physical changes in animal cells and tissues, either in living, or more commonly dead animals. In this episode, our host Ellie Darbey will explore the unseen…or rather, unheard world of wildlife pathology with the help of ZSL’s experienced pathologists, veterinarians, and scientists. Through post mortems on black widow spiders, to giant stranded humpback whales, these four pathology professionals will show the value of this diagnostic work to the conservation and welfare of animals in zoos and in the wild. What are the practicalities of examining large animals like elephants and rhinos? How can pathology be used to solve wildlife crimes? And what do pathology and The Supreme Court have in common? Guests Dr Simon Spiro, Wildlife Health Services, Zoological Society of London Dr Becki Lawson, Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London Rob Deaville, Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London Dr Tammy Shadbolt, Institute of Zoology, Zool

The anthropogenically driven climate crisis and unprecedented rates of biodiversity loss are both threatening the foundations of economies, livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life worldwide. Treating these two crises separately can be ineffectual or even deepen the problem. A recent landmark study calls for a more integrated approach to tackling the climate and biodiversity crises. Ellie Darbey will be joined by lead author of the article, Dr Nathalie Pettorelli, along with three co-authors, to share their expertise on these issues and help untangle the web of science and policy. Why is it important to tackle both these crises together? How can Nature-based Solutions help? And what needs to be done to integrate these solutions into global science-policy agendas?   Guests: Dr Nathalie Pettorelli, Zoological Society of London Professor Heather Koldewey, Zoological Society of London Professor William Sutherland CBE, University of Cambridge Matthew Lowton, Zoological Society of London   Overvie

Coastal marine habitats are essential to the health of our marine ecosystem, and hold both environmental and social importance. They provide valuable ecosystem services, but for decades they have been impacted by harmful human activities. In her final episode as host, Monni Böhm will be joined by co-host Celine Gamble and an expert panel to explore the need for active restoration to conserve four incredible marine habitats: native oyster beds, saltmarshes, kelp forests and seagrass. How can we scale up these restoration efforts? What makes some species in these habitats ecological superheroes? And what on earth is a scuba-diving spider? Please note: this episode was recorded in 2020.   Guests: Celine Gamble, Zoological Society of London Dr Joanne Preston, University of Portsmouth Angus Garbutt, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology Dr Ian Hendy, The Blue Marine Foundation Dr Richard Unsworth, Swansea University and Project Seagrass   Overview 01:06 – Dr Monni Böhm introduces the co-host of this episode,

Reptiles - lizards, snakes, turtles and crocodilians – make up almost one third of all land vertebrate species on Earth, and also occur in many marine and freshwater systems. Yet despite their amazing diversity, reptiles remain hugely underrepresented in conservation research and action, when compared to mammals, birds, and even amphibians. In this episode, our host Ellie Darbey finds out from four fantastic reptile experts how this is changing through increased global efforts to put reptiles on the conservation map. What key advances in species assessments have already made an impact for reptile conservation? How does ZSL’s science and conservation work directly contribute to protecting reptiles in the wild? And wait…where is Monni? Guests: Dr Monika Böhm, Freshwater Coordinator, Indianapolis Zoo Global Center for Species Survival. Dr Rikki Gumbs, EDGE Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Zoological Society of London. Emmanuel Amoah, Executive Director, Threatened Species Conservation Alliance (THRESCOAL). Benj

Coral reefs are the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in the world, and more than 500 million people worldwide rely on coral reefs for their livelihoods, food security, and coastal protection. However, coral reefs are impacted by several threats, including rises in sea-surface temperature due to climate change. Join Monni as she navigates these unique underwater ecosystems with the help of five fantastic coral connoisseurs. How can new technologies be used to protect and preserve coral reefs for the future? Why is connectivity important? And which fascinating fact will make your brain (coral) explode?   Guests: Dr Catherine Head, Institute of Zoology, ZSL and University of Oxford Dr Jamie Craggs FLS, Horniman Museum & Gardens and Natural History Museum, London Dr James Guest, Newcastle University Dr Rosa van der Ven, Wageningen University Dr Chris Yesson, Institute of Zoology, ZSL   Overview 01:05 – Monni is joined by the co-host of this episode, Dr Catherine Head, an expert in applied ecology and evol

After more than a year of Covid-19 impacting global populations, health systems and economies, one of the major questions being asked was how did this start, and how can we prevent it from happening again? As we humans increasingly disturb our planet’s natural habitats and convert them to agricultural and urban areas, the way we interact with wildlife around us also changes. In this episode, Monni turns to a team of experts in wildlife diseases, to discuss this link between ecosystem degradation and infectious disease outbreaks. What makes an animal a good host for carrying zoonotic diseases? Can we predict and prevent infectious disease outbreaks in the future? And exactly what does a job as ‘human bait’ entail? Guests: Dr Rory Gibb, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Dr Christina Faust, Pennsylvania State University Dr Kimberly Fornace, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Overview 01:40   Monni welcomes Dr Rory Gibb, to discuss zoonotic hosts and their response to land-use change, a

Law breaking, such as poaching or fishing inside marine reserves, is a great challenge to conservationists because research is often complicated by ethics and data privacy. However, important technological progress has been made in recent years, especially in the fields of surveillance and vessel tracking. Join Monni as she finds out from a panel of experts how machine learning and technology developments in drones, infrared imaging, global positioning systems and cameras can help tackle wildlife crime. How can social science help us understand the motivations behind rule-breaking? And what rule is Monni so afraid of admitting that she once broke? Guests: Dr Tom B Letessier, Research Fellow at the Institute of Zoology, ZSL Dr Kristina Boerder, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Dalhousie University  Professor Serge Wich, Liverpool John Moores University Dr Colin Beale, Reader at the University of York Dr Ana Nuno, NOVA University Lisbon and University of Exeter  Overview 00:53 - Monni is joined by the co-host of to

Conservationists are working hard to stem global biodiversity loss. Yet, just like biodiversity itself, the conservation movement is very diverse, with a variety of ideas shaping its framing, purpose and application. In this episode, Monni and co-hosts Yara Shennan-Farpón, Helen Muller and Thalassa McMurdo Hamilton, speak with Dr Chris Sandbrook, co-creator of the Future of Conservation Survey, about some of the lessons learned from analysing the perspectives of nearly 10,000 conservationists from around the world. What could the future of conservation look like? And what would need to happen for us to get there? Take the survey to find out and reflect on where you think the future of conservation lies: https://www.futureconservation.org/

Rewilding has emerged as a captivating, but controversial, concept in conservation. Depending on how rewilding is defined, it aims to increase “wildness” of nature, regenerate ecosystem functioning, develop self-sustaining ecosystems, or a combination of these. Join Monni as she finds out from the experts how real “wildness” can be achieved, and why now is an important time for the UK to be thinking about rewilding. What is even possible in places like the UK where we have quite limited space? Should people be part of rewilding? And why can the Tamworth Pig be considered the hippopotamus of the UK?

Madagascar is famed for its incredible biodiversity and charismatic lemurs, but has also seen extensive loss of natural habitat. Monni finds out from a panel of Madagascar aficionados what the island has been like in the past and what the challenges are for its surviving wildlife. How big is an elephant bird and its poo? What can old bones tell us? What are the ups and downs of conservation efforts on Madagascar? And why is the Madagascar pochard such a special bird? This episode was recorded in November 2019

Small-scale fisheries (SSFs) provide around two-thirds of the world’s catch intended for human consumption, and support 90% of employment in the fisheries sector, therefore should have a huge role to play in achieving some of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite this, they are barely mentioned. Monni finds out from a panel of SSF a-fish-ionados why SSFs are being overlooked, what we can learn from them, and how we can better incorporate SSFs into policy, to meet human needs while safeguarding marine biodiversity. But where does gender come into this? And what is this creature that breeds like a plant but feeds like a carnivore?