Blog: Why BIAZA is illuminating the world of ‘Creatures Unseen’

When the sun goes down, the world is theirs.

Nocturnal species dominate half the Earth’s daily cycle – and yet remain hidden and relatively unknown to so many of us. Zoos and aquariums play an important role in bringing these species into the limelight to garner fascination towards them, permit vital research, and protect species whose wild night-time niches are fast disappearing.

When we think of quintessential nocturnal animals we think of owls, bats and rodents. These are all fantastic animals with their own ‘unknowns’ and threats, but the wonderful thing about ‘Creatures Unseen’ is that it can encompass any taxa. And not necessarily just the nocturnal species, too. Hidden animals could include those which live in caves, in the depths of the ocean, underground, are miniscule, or simply overlooked. 

We’re (sadly) unable to cover everything this week, but hopefully we can spread the message that zoos/aquariums aren’t just about the big cats, the primates, and the turtles (lovely as they are).

Creatures Unseen can also serve as a springboard for people in the sector to share their own passion for ‘overlooked’ animals in their care. Shout-out to the zoos who are doing special Creatures Unseen talks all week! (The hashtag #BIAZACreaturesUnseen will ensure we’ll spot posts in the muddle that is social media).

Below are just a few of the many ways zoos are supporting the ‘unknowns’ and night-time dwellers of the animal kingdom:

• The Hawk Conservancy Trust has been creating over a thousand nest boxes for native bird species including barn owls, little owls and tawny owls. This combines with research on how they nest in these boxes, so we can better learn how to protect them from decline (the header image is of young tawny owls using these boxes).
   
• Dublin Zoo received aye-ayes from Bristol Zoo this year, continuing support for this enigmatic Endangered species. Dublin Zoo also supports lemur conservation out in Madagascar.
   
• A native species, the fisher’s estuarine moth, is supported by Colchester Zoo since their habitat is being lost to rising sea levels. Zoo staff are breeding and reintroducing these rare moths (This project has been shortlisted for a BIAZA Great British Wildlife Restoration (GBWR) award!)
   
• Zoos like Shepreth Wildlife Park and Dartmoor Zoo support hedgehogs in peril with hospitals for rehabilitation and release. It’s heart-warming support for a species in decline. (Shepreth Wildlife Park's work has also been shortlisted for a GBWR award
   
• Chester Zoo’s herpetologists, alongside local communities and even a covent of nuns, joined forces to save the Lake Pátzcuaro Salamander – of which only a hundred remain in one Mexican Lake.

The value of raising awareness for the secluded underdogs of the animal and plant world cannot be overstated – and zoos/aquariums are in the best positions to do so. But it’s not just the animals, the conservationists and the work they dedicate their lives to can also fly under the radar. All of this and more, is why we’re running Creatures Unseen.

We’ll be sharing a wealth of articles on our website from experts both within and outside the zoological sector. Read our first on the ‘unseens’ of the civet coffee trade here.

- Maria Carbin, Campaigns and Communications Officer, BIAZA Executive Office