ZSL London Zoo

Situated in the heart of the city, ZSL London Zoo one of the most famous zoos in the world. Visitors can get breathtakingly close to over 600 different species of animals, including a colony of western lowland gorillas in Gorilla Kingdom. The Zoo is open from 10.00am to 5.30pm during the summer months. Prices are £17.00 (including donations) if your 16+ and £13.50 for children, under 3s go free.

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If you’re planning a summer bank holiday picnic on the banks of the Thames be sure to keep an eye out for Sammy the seal.
 
The seal is becoming a bit of a Thames celebrity, and is frequently spotted by workers at the City of London’s Billingsgate fish market.
 
Sammy is now included in the Marine Mammal Survey by The Zoological Society of London (ZSL). Going into its fifth year, the study is building up the first ever comprehensive picture of marine mammal life in river by inviting people to give details of the location, date and time they see seals, dolphins or whales in the Thames.  
 
ZSL’s Marine and Freshwater Conservation Programme Manager, Alison Debney, says: “Sightings such as Sammy are very important; they help to build up a picture of the rivers’ role in the ecology of British marine mammals. We need people to keep an eye out and to detail their sightings at www.zsl.org – it could help conservationists in the future.”
 
Regularly spotted by workers in Canary Wharf’s Barclays Bank Building, Sammy the seal has been named by Samantha Davenport, who works at the building, after a children’s book by Syd Hoff. She says “It was so exciting the first time I saw the seal, I almost jumped in – it’s a lovely and quite grounding experience to see such wildlife amongst all this steel and glass.”
 
Sightings of marine mammals in the Thames are even more significant this year; this summer is the 150th anniversary of The Big Stink, a time when the river was so polluted with un-treated sewage that Parliament had to leave Westminster because of the stench.
 
Between 1920 and 1964, the river was devoid of fish. Flounder and European eel were the first two species to re-colonise the river, and since the mid 1960’s the number of species in the Thames has increased to an impressive 124, which means plenty of food for seals.
 
Conservationists at ZSL are helping to turn the tide of the 215-mile-long river by conserving the estuary and its fish species; since 2004 over 600 animals including grey seals like Sammy, bottlenose dolphins and harbor porpoises have all been spotted and are now included in ZSL’s Marine Mammal Survey.
 

ZSL’s Thames Marine Mammal Survey
ZSL’s Thames Marine Mammal Survey is now in its fifth year and operates in the tidal Thames area, between Teddington upriver to Shoeburyness and Sheerness in the outer estuary. ZSL’s conservation biologists will begin to study the findings in detail for trends in species distribution, behaviour and habitat use once there is enough data. The survey is well supported by anglers, bird watchers, pub staff working along the river, the Port of London Authority and Thames River Police, rowing clubs, Londoners and tourists.  The online form can be found at www.zsl.org/thamessurvey

The Big Stink
The Big Stink occurred in The Thames in 1858 and many of its urban tributaries were overflowing with sewage; the hot summer weather encouraged bacteria to thrive resulting in a smell so overwhelming that it affected the work of the House of Commons. The hot humid summer was broken by the rain and the crisis was ended. Afterwards a House of Commons select committee was appointed to report on the Stink and recommend how to put an end to the problem.

ZSL
Founded in 1826, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity: our key role is the conservation of animals and their habitats.  The Society runs ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, carries out scientific research in the Institute of Zoology and is actively involved in field conservation in some 45 countries worldwide. For further information please visit www.zsl.org.
 

The Mappin Terrace, once home to ZSL London Zoo’s polar bears now plays host to the Zoo’s very own Outback exhibit – marking a new phase for the historic landscape.

The Terrace, built in 1913, has been transformed into a sweeping Australian plain in a bid to raise awareness of the difficulty animals face living in extreme conditions.

Polar bears have become the popular image representing climate change but Outback, launched today (August 14th), highlights how it affects animals in warmer climates.

ZSL Zoological Director, David Field, said: “Polar Bears have become the symbol of climate change but by transforming this exhibit we can use the Zoo’s unique history to explain that when it comes to climate change the script is the same, regardless of the cast.”

The new territory at ZSL London Zoo is home to a mob of over 20 wallabies and four emus. The exhibit demonstrates how difficult it is for animals to survive in harsh dry conditions – and reveals that the changing climate means more of the world’s wildlife will have the same fight for survival as animals in the arid climes of the outback.

Australian Climate Change Special Envoy, Howard Bamsey, agrees: “Climate change is magnifying our [Australia’s] traditional climatic challenges, presenting new and greater threats to our unique and fragile environments and ecosystems.”

ZSL London Zoo is one of the first zoos in the UK to actively incorporate climate change into its education remit which includes an active Climate Change Group, a Climate Change Session for schools and an interactive Climate Change Exhibit; the only one of its kind in the UK.

Visitors are asked to pledge a way in which they can help reduce their carbon emissions. The exhibit shows how the issue will affect biodiversity and different habitats across the world. Over 10,000 people have made a pledge with the most popular being a child cycling to school.

Home to an array of endemic plants, shrubbery and animals, Outback has been made to look and feel truly Australian. Get breathtakingly close to over 20 wallabies, an animal which is often hunted in the wild. These small mammals are widely distributed across Australia and can often be found in more remote, heavily timbered areas much like this exhibit.Come face to face with four Australian emus, the country’s largest native bird, which can reach impressive speeds of 50 km/h (30 mph) and immerse yourself in the Australian landscape.

A wallaby is any of about thirty species of macropod. It is an informal designation generally used for any macropod that is smaller than a kangaroo or wallaroo that has not been given some other name. Very small forest-dwelling wallabies are known as pademelons (genus Thylogale) and dorcopsises (genera Dorcopsis and Dorcopsulus). The name wallaby comes from the Eora Aboriginal tribe who were the original inhabitants of the Sydney area. Young wallabies are known as "joeys", like many other marsupials.

The Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae, is Australia’s largest native bird and the only extant member of the genus Dromaius. It is soft-feathered, brown, and flightless bird reaching up to 2 m (6.5 ft) in height. Common over most of mainland Australia, the emu avoids heavily populated areas, dense forest and arid areas. They are nomadic and may travel long distances to find food; they feed on a variety of plants and insects.

The Mappin Terrace was built in 1913 and was the first time members of the public could see animals in an arctic environment. The landmark has been home to famous ZSL London Zoo residents such as ‘Winnie the Pooh’ and polar bears. The Terraces have been home to ibex and snow leopards.

ZSL London Zoo’s Climate Change Exhibit show’s how climate change will impact different species and puts a “face” to the changes predicted. The exhibit begins with “what is climate change?” and leads to explanation of the science behind the issue. This introduction then leads into panels focusing on different habitats, each with a story and exemplar species. The exhibit ranges from Tropical Forests, Oceans, Mountains and Drylands.
 

Founded in 1826, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity: our key role is the conservation of animals and their habitats. The Society runs ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, carries out scientific research in the Institute of Zoology and is actively involved in field conservation in some 45 countries worldwide. For further information please visit www.zsl.org.

A recent study by the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) suggests that old female elephants—and perhaps their memories of distant, life-sustaining sources of food and water—may be the key to survival during the worst of times.

In particular, experienced elephant matriarchs seem to give their family groups an edge in the struggle for survival in periods of famine and drought, according to a recently published paper in The Royal Society’s Biology Letters.

“Understanding how elephants and other animal populations react to droughts will be a central component of wildlife management and conservation,” said Wildlife Conservation Society researcher Dr. Charles Foley, lead author of the study. “Our findings seem to support the hypothesis that older females with knowledge of distant resources become crucial to the survival of herds during periods of extreme climatic events.”

Dr Nathalie Pettorelli, ZSL researcher and co-author, added, “Climate change is expected to lead to a higher occurrence of severe drought in Africa and our study suggests that such extreme climatic events may act as a selection force on animal populations. As animals battle to cope certain individuals, such as these grand dames of the elephant kingdom, might become increasingly important.”

Specifically, the study examines patterns of calf mortality during the drought of 1993 in Tanzania’s Tarangire National Park, the most severe drought in that region in the past 35 years. During a nine-month period of that year, sixteen out of 81 elephant calves in the three groups studied died, a mortality rate of 20 percent. The normal mortality rate of calves during non-drought years is a mere two percent.

When compared with other data, researchers noted correlations in calf survivorship with the movements of the groups and, in particular, the ages of the female members within those groups. First, of the three elephant groups observed during the event, the two groups that left the park suffered lower mortality rates than the group that remained in the northern portion of the protected area. The researchers speculated that these elephants succeeded in finding sufficient food and water outside the protected area to keep themselves and their young alive. The group that stayed suffered 63 percent of the mortality for the year.

Second, an examination of the ages of the individual elephants in the three herds was even more suggestive. The data indicated that the age of the mother elephants was an important predictor for calf survival. The two groups that left the park, presumably in search of food and water, had matriarchs that were ages 45 and 38 years of age respectively, whereas the group that remained had a matriarch that was only 33 years of age, the result of heavy poaching during the 1970’s and 1980’s that targeted older females with large tusks.

Third, the researchers pointed out that the groups that left the park may have benefited from the specific experiences of their oldest matriarchs, which perhaps were able to draw upon memories of an earlier drought and how they survived it. The case is strengthened by the known life history of the oldest matriarchs in these groups, some of which were five years or older during the drought of 1958-61. The group that remained with Tarangire in 1993 had no individuals old enough to remember the event.

“It’s enticing to think that these old females and their memories of previous periods of trauma and survival would have meant all the difference,” added Foley. “The data seem to support the speculation that the matriarchs with the necessary experience of such events were able to lead their groups to drought refugia.”

During the 1970s and ‘80s, many of Eastern Africa’s largest elephants fell victim to waves of poachers who were eager to exploit the profitability of the black market for ivory.

“Hopefully, this study underlines the importance of how crucial older matriarchs are to the health of elephant populations,” added Foley. “Protecting the leaders of elephant herds will be even more important in what may be an increase in droughts due to climate change.”
 
Founded in 1826, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity: our key role is the conservation of animals and their habitats.  ZSL owns and operates ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, carries out scientific research at the Institute of Zoology and is actively involved in field conservation in over 40 countries worldwide. www.zsl.org
 
The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide.  We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo.  Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony.  WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth. Visit: www.wcs.org
 

Conservation charities the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and Froglife are calling for the public to look out for and report cases of sick and dead frogs – and other amphibians like toads and newts – in an attempt to expand vital research into the state of the nation’s amphibians. 
 
The UK’s amphibians are being affected by two significant diseases, ranavirus and the chytrid fungus.  Ranavirus kills thousands of frogs, toads and newts in the UK each year and the chytrid fungus, implicated in extinctions of amphibian species around the world, has recently been identified in the UK. 

Scientists remain unsure of the extent to which amphibian populations are being affected and what the implications for the UK’s frogs, toads and newts may be.  Dr Andrew Cunningham, senior ZSL scientist, commented, “Amphibians are being devastated by disease on a global scale but we have only an extremely limited picture of what is going on in our own backyard.  Reports of outbreaks across the UK are absolutely vital for ZSL’s continuing research and, in the long term, to ensure the survival of our extraordinary amphibians.”
 
“There is a whole range of reasons why dead amphibians turn up in gardens and many of these are completely normal events. However, during the humid summer months we hear numerous reports of unusual frog deaths in gardens.” said Daniel Piec, Froglife’s Head of Conservation. “We are appealing to the public for information on new cases so that we can paint a better picture of the damage these amphibian diseases are inflicting.” 
 
Both diseases are harmless to humans, but in amphibians result in a variety of symptoms that could include lethargy, thinness or unexplained mass-deaths of adults or juvenile amphibians. Internal bleeding and open skin sores have also been reported.  Members of the public who have come across unusual amphibian deaths in their gardens are urged to submit their information on the Froglife website: www.froglife.org.  This information will then be used by ZSL in its research on diseases affecting UK amphibians. 

* Ranavirus is a non-native disease, first discovered in the UK by ZSL in 1995, the origins of which are unknown.  ZSL studies have shown the virus to be closely related to those found in North American amphibians.  One possibility, yet to be fully investigated, is that the virus was introduced with imports of North American bullfrogs or freshwater fish.  The disease is harmless to humans.
 
*         Amphibian chytrid is a non-native fungal disease that infects the skin of amphibians, a vital organ through which many drink and breathe.  It was identified in 1998 by an international team of scientists led by ZSL.  It is believed to have originated in Africa, with the export of African clawed frogs around the world for human pregnancy testing and lab studies spreading the disease worldwide. Recently, the food and pet trades may have contributed to the problem as well.   The disease is thought to have been responsible for catastrophic declines in some Australian, North American, Central American, South American and Caribbean species. The situation in Europe is less clear through a lack of data, although some species have seriously declined in upland areas of Spain. 
Recently the fungus has been detected in two areas of the UK, although it is not yet clear whether it is causing population declines here. Both native and introduced amphibians have shown infection and although individuals can be effectively treated with fungicide, this method is likely to be impractical for its control in wild populations.
 
* Founded in 1826, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity: our key role is the conservation of animals and their habitats.  ZSL runs ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, carries out scientific research in the Institute of Zoology and is actively involved in field conservation in over thirty countries worldwide. www.zsl.org
 
* Froglife is a UK wildlife charity committed to the conservation of amphibians and reptiles – working with people, enhancing lives together for a healthier planet. Froglife was established in 1989, in response to alarming declines in the UK's amphibians and reptiles. The organisation has since pushed hard for public involvement in their cause - through campaigns, projects and media work. 

 

Imagine trying to put a tonne of bananas and apples into your shopping trolley every week.

For some people this doesn’t bear thinking about, but at ZSL London Zoo this figure is just a small order included in the Zoo’s annual food supply list announced this week.

Thirteen tonnes of carrots and four tonnes of eggs could be the yearly food supply for a small country…but these whopping figures actually make up part of the Zoo’s annual food order.

More than 600 different species of animals including gorillas, giraffes and hippos are fed an array of different foods including cabbages, tomatoes, fish and grapes.

Zootrition, a sophisticated computer programme helps Zookeepers create a diet which is equivalent to what the animals would be eating in the wild. It provides them with a varied diet full of the highest quality natural foods.

But the meals aren’t just handed to the animals on a plate; it forms vital enrichment for them. Keepers spend hours making sure the animals have to work for their food just like they would in the wild.

The Zoo’s impressive cuisine was given the thumbs up by chef Gordon Ramsay, who recently came to film for Channel 4’s The F Word. Catch Gordon giving the Zoo’s gorillas the Michelin-starred treatment tonight (Tuesday) at 9pm.


ZSL London Zoo’s food supplies

The supplies quoted are from July 2007- June 2008.

Item Number Weight
Hay 1869 bales 47 tonnes
Straw 1399 bales 28 tonnes
Clover (brown) 918 bales 26 tonnes
Clover (Canadian) 384 bales 33 tonnes
Woodchip 16 tonnes
Wood wool (gorilla bedding) 250 bales
Coconut peat 600 - 80 litre bags 48,000 litres
Sultanas ½ tonne
Honey 20 x 12.5kg tubs 250kg
Eggs 38,000
Meat 9 tonnes
Fish 19 tonnes
(Spratt - 11.5 tonnes)
(Herring - 7.5 tonnes)
Dairy 15 (pellets) 720 x 25kg bags 18 tonnes
Carrots 13 tonnes
Potatoes 3.1 tonnes
Cabbages 8,320 1.9 tonnes
Tomatoes 2.78 tonnes
Bananas 29 tonnes
Apples 29 tonnes
Oranges 4.5 tonnes
Lettuce 15,860
Grapes 4 tonnes
Milk 1,716 pints


Enrichment:
Enrichment is the word that describes the approaches and principles adopted to improve the wellbeing of the animals in our care. In the 1930s, a study was carried out at ZSL London Zoo on a group of hamadryas baboons, it showed that when greater thought was applied to animals’ accommodation needs it had a profound effect on the behaviours displayed. Today, at both ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, we have thousands of animals from hundreds of species. Caring for such a great diversity of animals is undoubtedly challenging as we aim to maintain the collection in accordance with their natural behaviours. As a result you will see puzzle feeders, physically challenging feeding poles, climbing apparatus, differing food types, novel objects to encourage exploration and play and scented herbs and plants, all of which attempt to allow the animals to behave as they would in their natural surroundings.

ZSL
Founded in 1826, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity: our key role is the conservation of animals and their habitats. The Society runs ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, carries out scientific research in the Institute of Zoology and is actively involved in field conservation in some 45 countries worldwide. For further information please visit www.zsl.org.

PHOTOS: First gorilla is London Zoo's male silverback Bobby and the second is their female ‘Jookie’.