Global conservation work wins national praise
Conservation and education charity Bristol Zoological Society is celebrating following its win of five industry awards for its work in conserving and protecting the world’s most threatened species.
The charity, which runs Bristol Zoo Project, is recognised by the UK sector’s leading body, BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums).
The BIAZA Awards aim to celebrate the achievements of the UK’s best zoos and aquariums in creating a wilder world and a better planet. Each year, industry judges assess hundreds of entries.
The awards won by Bristol Zoological Society recognise its international field conservation projects, as well as its research work, animal welfare standards and keeper skills sharing efforts.
‘These awards are an incredible achievement for us as a conservation and education charity,’ explains Brian Zimmerman, Director of Conservation and Science at Bristol Zoological Society.
‘They are possible thanks to the commitment and expertise of our talented teams who work so hard here in the UK and around the world, to conserve and protect the most threatened species.’
‘As a charity we currently work in nine countries, across four continents, and are involved in more than 50 co-ordinated breeding programmes.’
‘We also direct 20 field conservation projects with more than 30 local partner organisations. At Bristol Zoo Project, 85% of animals are both threatened and part of targeted conservation programmes. Our aim is for this to rise to 90% by 2035.’
‘Shining a spotlight’
‘We are extremely proud to have been recognised by BIAZA in a number of categories, not only celebrating all that we have achieved but also shining a spotlight on the plight of so many species facing threats in the wild.’
The charity was the overall winner of the BIAZA award for Field Conservation, for its work in the Philippines to investigate the causes for hunting of the Critically Endangered Visayan warty pig, and to implement actions to reduce it.
It’s been working with local communities in the country since 2014, aiming to reduce illegal hunting and protect the remaining forests of Panay and Negros Islands.
The charity also took home four runner-up awards, including a second accolade in the Field Conservation category for its Cameroon programme.
This aims to protect wildlife in Bénoué National Park, including Critically Endangered Kordofan giraffe and Vulnerable giant eland.
It was also recognised in the Research category where the charity was commended for its studies into the use of different lighting to enhance the welfare of Zacapu allotoca: a Critically Endangered species of goodeid fish, endemic to Mexico.
The charity received high praise in the Behaviour and Welfare category for its detailed animal welfare audit process drew praise which is designed to try to ensure all species receive the very highest standards of care.
Bristol Zoo Project is one of the few zoos in the UK to have a dedicated in-house animal behaviour and welfare team.
Bristol Zoological Society conservation team members in the Philippines working with local teams. Image provided by Bristol Zoological Society.
‘An incredible achievement’
The team were also praised in the Professional Capacity Building category for its ‘keeper skills sharing sessions.’ These took place in 2024 and covered topics such as enrichment, making evidence-based decisions and collecting effective data.
‘This is an incredible achievement reflecting the very best in the zoo and aquarium community. We are at the very forefront of the fightback for nature, which needs all our help,’ says Dr Jo Judge, CEO of BIAZA.
‘As leaders we are absolutely committed to the very highest levels of animal welfare, conservation, education and research – all while offering brilliant days out for the family.’
BIAZA members such as Bristol Zoo Project, have contributed more than £150 million to conservation over the past five years.
Annually they welcome 30 million visits and deliver 1.15 million structured education sessions. BIAZA members have helped save species such as scimitar-horned oryx, Socorro dove and partula snails from extinction.
Bristol Zoo Project is currently undergoing a major transformation. Work is nearing completion on an African Forest habitat.
The habitat will see the zoo’s troop of Critically Endangered western lowland gorillas being joined by Endangered cherry-crowned mangabey monkeys – for the first time in a UK zoo.
It’ll also become home to Critically Endangered slender-snouted crocodiles and several extremely threatened species of West African freshwater fish.
Endangered African grey parrots, which have been rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, will also be living in the habitat.
Breaktime News recently reported on Bristol Zoological Society launching its’ first ever UK brand campaign to increase awareness of its’ global efforts to protect threatened species.
