Campaigns

Project DUNG

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Did you know the UK is home to around 60 species of dung beetles—nearly half the species found across the world?

Yet, these unsung heroes of the ecosystem are in trouble, with around 25% considered nationally rare or threatened and four species lost in the last 50 years.

Project DUNG empowers BIAZA members to turn a natural by-product—herbivore poo—into a powerful conservation tool. By surveying our sites, creating dung beetle-friendly habitats (yes, that means a dedicated poo pile!), and reducing unnecessary chemical treatments, we can help protect and restore native dung beetle populations.

It’s a brilliant opportunity to transform zoo waste into thriving invertebrate habitat, support wider UK biodiversity, and get stuck into some surprisingly impactful fieldwork—all without leaving your own site.