Defra funds zoo and aquarium conservation projects

Members of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) will receive Government funding for their efforts to conserve native species. This week, Defra announced that at least 15 projects being led by or in partnership with zoos have been awarded funding from the Species Recovery Programme, supporting over 40 British species.  

Successful projects included: 

• Saving the glutinous snail – seven BIAZA members, including Askham Bryan Conservation Wildlife Park, Dudley Zoo and Castle, Longleat, Wingham Wildlife Park, Chester Zoo, Wildwood and Whipsnade Zoo will be keeping and breeding this rare British species in biosecure facilities after emergency rescue efforts saved the glutinous snail from going extinct. 

• Longleat, in partnership with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, is working to conserve the Desmoulin’s whorl snail - one of the UK’s tiniest and most remarkable wetland species. The project will combine conservation breeding, habitat restoration, and reintroduction to support and strengthen the existing populations.  

• Projects supporting choughs, sturgeon, tadpole shrimp and much more! 

Nicky Needham, Head of Conservation and Species Management at BIAZA said:  

“We are delighted that Defra has chosen to support the efforts of zoo and aquarium conservationists to protect our native species. These projects take years of preparation and are only possible thanks to the funding provided by zoo visitors, donors and sources such as Defra. Modern, progressive zoos are all about conservation, and they bring a huge amount of expertise and capacity. This Government funding recognises that value and will allow us to put vital work into action to save our precious native species.” 

“When people think about zoo conservation, they often think about the incredible work going on to save big, famous, exotic species like orangutans, elephants and rhinos. However brilliant conservation is taking place right here in Britain on little-known and overlooked species, which often play an out-sized role in supporting ecosystems.” 

Zoos and aquariums are playing an increasingly important role for British species. For three years BIAZA has run the Great British Wildlife Restoration competition, highlighting the range of native wildlife conservation projects happening across the country in parliament. Winners have included projects restoring native oyster beds, the reintroduction of hundreds of water voles and the rescue of a rare Welsh shrub from extinction. 

Commenting on the launch of the SRP funding this week, Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: 

“Nearly one in six species in Britain are threatened with extinction and this Government is taking action to reverse that decline.”
 
“Through the largest-ever investment in species recovery, we are backing projects across the country to protect threatened wildlife, restore habitats and secure the future of some of England's most iconic species.” 

Natural England Chair Tony Juniper said: 

"For decades Natural England's vital species recovery work has revealed how even the rarest of the rare can be brought back from the brink. The red kite, lady's slipper orchid, pool frog, beaver and large blue butterfly are among examples that demonstrate the many opportunities at hand and what can be achieved for nature and wider society.”

“We know that good science and effective partnerships can help restore species to favourable status, and this funding will enable us to support many initiatives to help halt and reverse the decline of our wonderful wildlife." 

Defra claim, over the past three decades the Species Recovery Programme has helped protect over 1,000 species and prevented the national extinction of at least 35 species.