ZSL Wild Science Podcast

What does it take to reintroduce an animal to the wild safely? How do we make sure that disease risk to existing populations, and to the animals being reintroduced, is mitigated?

Hear from the Disease Risk Analysis and Health Surveillance Team (DRAHS) at ZSL who are working to give animals the best start possible as they return to the wild, and whose work has contributed to the recovery of over 30 species across the world.

Overview

00:11 Harriet McAra, Introduction to episode

01:01 Dr Tony Sainsbury, DRAHS lead, ZSL

05:44 Clare McNamee, Wildlife Veterinarian and Research Associate, ZSL

10:40 Dr Sophie Common, Wildlife Veterinarian and Research Associate, ZSL

17:27 Georgie Gerrard, DRAHS Project Manager, ZSL

20:32 Becky Foskett, Pathology and Field Technician, ZSL

27:45 Dr Claudia Carraro, Wildlife Veterinarian and Research Associate, ZSL

32:31 Outro and further information

Resources and references

• If there's a topic you'd like to hear on a future podcast, or if you'd like to share your thoughts, email the ZSL Wild Science Podcast at: [email protected]
• Check out our science and conservation work at: www.zsl.org/Science or www.zsl.org/Conservation
• Wildlife Disease Risk Analysis and Health Surveillance: https://www.zsl.org/what-we-do/projects/wildlife-disease-risk-analysis-and-health-surveillance
• More about dormice health monitoring: Hazel dormice - People's Trust for Endangered Species (ptes.org) & National Dormouse Monitoring Programme (NDMP) (ptes.org)
• More about our Extinct in the Wild work: Extinct in the Wild | The Zoological Society of London (zsl.org)
• More about chequered skipper conservation: Chequered Skippers - Butterfly Conservation
• Vernet, M., Trask, A.E., Andrews, C.E. et al. Assessing invasion risks using EICAT-based expert elicitation: application to a conservation translocation. Biol Invasions 26, 2707–2721 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-024-03341-2
• Gibson, L., Shadbolt, T., Paul, P. et al. Prevalence and Molecular Analysis of Encephalomyocarditis Virus-2 in the Hazel Dormouse. EcoHealth 21, 112–122 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-024-01680-z

Get in touch

• Email [email protected] with your questions, comments, and thoughts for future episodes!
• Tweet us @ZSLScience with the hashtag #ZSLWildScience
• Follow us on Facebook @ZSLScienceAndConservation

You may have heard of a COP, and you've almost definitely heard of the United Nations (UN), but how much do you know about the negotiations that go into getting nature, climate and biodiversity embedded into international policy? Ahead of the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP16) in Colombia this autumn, we're hearing from policy experts in this two-part miniseries on how we can save the planet one meeting at a time…or at least try to.

Overview

00:11 Introduction to Nature's Negotiators mini-series

00:24 Bethan Laughlin, ZSL's Senior Policy Specialist, speaking from a CBD intercessional meeting in Nairobi

01:07 Introduction from Harriet McAra

2:09 Interview with Bethan Laughlin on the history of the CBD, UNFCCC and Global Biodiversity Framework

10:02 Nelly Musyoka, ZSL Kenya's Community Liaison Officer, on how the 23 CBD targets are applied to real world conservation

14:39 Bethan Laughlin on what ZSL's priorities are for COP16 in Colombia

23:39 Fiona Dobson, RSPB, on what RSPB's priorities are for COP16 in Colombia

33:18 Outro and further information

Resources

• If there's a topic you'd like to hear on a future podcast, or if you'd like to share your thoughts, email the ZSL Wild Science Podcast at: [email protected]
• Check out our science and conservation work at: www.zsl.org/Science or www.zsl.org/conservation
• Bethan Laughlin: https://www.zsl.org/about-zsl/our-people/bethan-laughlin
• Watch a recording of our Science and Conservation Event, Putting Nature at the Heart of Global Decision Making: https://www.zsl.org/news-and-events/events/putting-nature-heart-global-decision-making
• View the infographic depicting successes and failures following the Rio Earth Summit as described by Bethan in this episode: https://cms.zsl.org/sites/default/files/2024-08/CBD%20UNFCCC%20timeline.png

Get in touch

• Email [email protected] with your questions, comments, and thoughts for future episodes!
• Tweet us @ZSLScience with the hashtag #ZSLWildScience
• Follow us on Facebook @ZSLScienceAndConservation

Out of sight…but not out of mind? Coral reefs exist largely out of sight for the majority of the world's population, so the vast array of ecosystem services they provide for local communities are often forgotten, leading conservation efforts to feel like an uphill battle. In this episode, we talk to the people trying to tackle this problem; from using the sounds that healthy and degraded coral reefs make to monitor their restoration, to bringing people closer to coral reefs using virtual reality.

Overview

00:13 Introduction to the topic from Harriet McAra

01:26 Ben Williams, PhD student at the Institute of Zoology and UCL, on coral reefs' importance, coral soundscapes and the Mars Assisted Reef Restoration System

08:30 Introduction to the Datascape Realities Project

08:52 John Zhang and Lourenco Viveiros, co-founders of Datascape Realities, and Jason Lynch, UCL and Institute of Zoology

28:14 Outro and further information

Resources

• If there's a topic you'd like to hear on a future podcast, or if you'd like to share your thoughts, email the ZSL Wild Science Podcast at: [email protected]
• Check out our science and conservation work at: www.zsl.org/Science or www.zsl.org/conservation
• Ben Williams: https://www.zsl.org/about-zsl/our-people/ben-williams
• Mars Assisted Reef Restoration System: https://www.buildingcoral.com/ and https://www.buildingcoral.com/news/mars-data-scientists-turn-their-skills-to-coral-reef-restoration
• Datascape Realities: https://www.datascaperealities.com/ and @datascape_real

Get in touch

• Email [email protected] with your questions, comments, and thoughts for future episodes!
• Tweet us @ZSLScience with the hashtag #ZSLWildScience
• Follow us on Facebook @ZSLScienceAndConservation

Co-existence between communities living on the Korean Peninsula and carnivores such as leopards, tigers and black bears, has historically presented many challenges leading to population declines in these species. However, thanks to international treaties such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, as well as economic growth and conservation translocations, the tide is now turning on these declines in South Korea. In this episode, host Harriet McAra is joined by Joshua Elves-Powell to discuss how wildlife trade has impacted carnivores in East Asia, and the conservation measures being taken to protect these globally threatened species.

Overview

00:20 - Introduction to the topic from Harriet McAra, and introduction to the podcast guest

02:24 - Josh Elves-Powell, PhD student at the Institute of Zoology and UCL, introduction and interview

27:06 - Outro and further information

Resources

• If there's a topic you'd like to hear on a future podcast, or if you'd like to share your thoughts, email the ZSL Wild Science Podcast at: [email protected]
• Check out our science and conservation work at: www.zsl.org/Science or www.zsl.org/conservation
• Joshua Elves-Powell: https://www.zsl.org/about-zsl/our-people/joshua-elves-powell
• The latest publication from Joshua Elves-Powell, reporting major declines in South Korean big cat trade: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0299783
• Project Moon Bear: https://en.projectmoonbear.org/Mission
• Korean Tiger and Leopard Conservation Fund: https://blog.naver.com/savetiger
• Blogs written by Joshua Elves-Powell
  • Asiatic black bear restoration in South Korea: https://theconversation.com/south-korea-is-bringing-back-bears-in-a-country-of-52-million-people-i-went-to-find-out-how-164301
  • Moves to end bear farming in South Korea: https://theconversation.com/south-korea-to-ban-bear-farming-but-what-to-do-about-hundreds-of-captive-animals-that-remain-197316

Get in touch

• Email [email protected] with your questions, comments, and thoughts for future episodes!
• Tweet us @ZSLScience with the hashtag #ZSLWildScience
• Follow us on Facebook @ZSLScienceAndConservation

The ZSL Wild Science podcast is back! After a break, we have returned to explore even more topical issues in zoology, conservation and the environment. New host, Harriet McAra, Science Communications and Events Manager at ZSL's Institute of Zoology, will take listeners on a journey to learn more about the incredible science behind ZSL's cutting-edge conservation work.

Resources

• If there's a topic you'd like to hear on a future podcast, or if you'd like to share your thoughts any previous episodes, email the ZSL Wild Science Podcast at [email protected]
• Check out our science and conservation work at www.zsl.org/Science or www.zsl.org/conservation
• Tweet us @ZSLScience with the hashtag #ZSLWildScience
• Follow us on Facebook @ZSLScienceAndConservation

The world is facing a crisis of species extinction, however targeted efforts in conservation biology can provide a glimmer of hope. A new study led by ZSL, published recently in Science, is the first to assess animals and plants categorised as 'Extinct in the Wild' by the IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species – until now, a surprisingly overlooked group. In this episode, our host Ellie Darbey, with the help of four fantastic guests, discovers the incredible potential for conservation zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens and seedbanks across the world to save these species from the brink of extinction. What are the problems associated with tiny populations? How is ZSL involved in Extinct in the Wild projects? And why won't anyone just choose their favourite species?!

Overview

03:36 - Ellie Darbey introduces the first guest, Dr Donal Smith (Postdoctoral Research Associate) to discuss the new publication and small population biology

18:50 - Ellie is joined by Dr John Ewen (Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Zoology, ZSL) to talk about ZSL's Extinct in the Wild initiative and conservation decision making

28:25 - Species Spotlight: Partula snails!

29:40 - Ellie welcomes Alex Cliffe (Ectotherms Team Leader, ZSL Whipsnade Zoo), to discuss breeding programmes in zoos, and ZSL's work with the Mexican pupfish

39:45 - Ellie is joined by the final guest, Melanie Mesa Blas (Guam Department of Education and recipient of 2022 National Geographic Explorer Grant with ZSL) to find out about the future of the Sihek, or Guam kingfisher and considerations for releasing back into the wild

49:28 - The guests give their thoughts on the most important thing needed now to save these species on the brink of extinction

Resources

• If there's a topic you'd like to hear on a future podcast, or if you'd like to share your thoughts on the one thing these Extinct in the Wild species need to survive, email the ZSL Wild Science Podcast at: [email protected]
• Check out our science and conservation work at: www.zsl.org/Science or www.zsl.org/conservation
• Previous Episode mentioned #010 on the IUCN Red List: https://www.zsl.org/zsl-wild-science-podcast
• IUCN Red List: https://www.iucnredlist.org/
• The new publication 'Extinct in the wild: The precarious state of Earth's most threatened group of species': https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.add2889 and blog: https://www.zsl.org/news-and-events/news/conservation-zoos-have-powerful-potential-reverse-extinction
• ZSL's conservation work with partula snails: https://www.zsl.org/what-we-do/projects/partula-snail-conservation
• ZSL's Sihek or Guam Kingfisher conservation project: https://www.zsl.org/what-we-do/projects/sihek-conservation
• Previous ZSL Science and Conservation Event: https://www.zsl.org/news-and-events/events/return-wild-how-can-we-recover-extinct-wild-species

Get in touch

• Email [email protected] with your questions, comments, and thoughts for future episodes!
• Tweet us @ZSLScience with the hashtag #ZSLWildScience
• Follow us on Facebook @ZSLScienceAndConservation

It's no secret that cities are generally perceived as spaces of little conservation relevance, yet local urban wildlife underpins a range of ecosystem services. In a time where rapid changes in the climate are causing more extreme natural events, wildlife is disappearing and we are becoming more and more disconnected from nature through urbanisation, could the recovery of urban ecosystems be a potential solution for a more resilient planet? In this episode, our host Ellie Darbey will discover how we can recover nature in our cities, with ZSL's experts in rewilding, reconnecting habitats and river restoration. Does the answer lie in empowering local communities? Or is it in the plight of the hedgehog? And why must we enact the mysterious Schedule Three?

Guests

• Professor Nathalie Pettorelli, Institute of Zoology, ZSL
• Dr Chris Carbone, Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Zoology, ZSL
• Joe Pecorelli, Conservation Project Manager, Marine and Freshwater, Conservation & Policy, ZSL

Overview

• 03:31 – Ellie Darbey introduces the first guest, Professor Nathalie Pettorelli to discuss how to rewild in urban environments
• 16:39 – Ellie is joined by Dr Chris Carbone to talk about the London Hogwatch Project, and their community engagement
• 26:59 – Species Spotlight: The European hedgehog!
• 28:12 – Ellie welcomes the final guest Joe Pecorelli to discuss river restoration in London, and the power of the waterways
• 37:19 – The guests give their answer for the one thing they'd like to change in policy or legislation to help recover urban nature.

Resources

• If there's a topic you'd like to hear on a future podcast, or if you'd like to share your thoughts on the one change you'd like to see in policy or legislation to help recover nature in cities, email the ZSL Wild Science Podcast at: [email protected]
• Check out our science and conservation work at: zsl.org/Science or www.zsl.org/conservation
• Living Planet Report: https://www.zsl.org/global-biodiversity-monitoring/indicators-and-assessments-unit/living-planet-index/living-planet
• Previous Episode mentioned #035 on Nature-based solutions: https://www.zsl.org/zsl-wild-science-podcast
• Rewilding your cities ZSL report: https://www.zsl.org/science/news/rewilding-our-cities-could-reduce-impacts-of-extreme-weather-says-new-report
• Rewild my street: https://www.rewildmystreet.org/
• London Hogwatch: https://www.zsl.org/conservation/species/mammals/london-hogwatch
• Pine Marten sighting: https://www.zsl.org/conservation/news/nationally-critically-endangered-pine-marten-spotted-in-london
• London's Rivers: https://www.zsl.org/conservation/regions/uk-europe/londons-rivers
• State of the Thames Report: https://www.zsl.org/natureatheart/the-state-of-the-thames-2021
• Volunteer for London's Rivers: https://www.zsl.org/conservation/regions/uk-europe/volunteer-for-londons-rivers
• Flood and Water Management act: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/29/contents

Get in touch

• Email [email protected] with your questions, comments, and thoughts for future episodes!
• Tweet us @ZSLScience with the hashtag #ZSLWildScience
• Follow us on Facebook @ZSLScienceAndConservation

Pathology is the science of diagnosing diseases by observing physical changes in animal cells and tissues, either in living, or more commonly dead animals. In this episode, our host Ellie Darbey will explore the unseen…or rather, unheard world of wildlife pathology with the help of ZSL's experienced pathologists, veterinarians, and scientists. Through post mortems on black widow spiders, to giant stranded humpback whales, these four pathology professionals will show the value of this diagnostic work to the conservation and welfare of animals in zoos and in the wild. What are the practicalities of examining large animals like elephants and rhinos? How can pathology be used to solve wildlife crimes? And what do pathology and The Supreme Court have in common?

Guests

• Dr Simon Spiro, Wildlife Health Services, Zoological Society of London
• Dr Becki Lawson, Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London
• Rob Deaville, Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London
• Dr Tammy Shadbolt, Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London

Overview

01:22 – Ellie Darbey introduces the first guest, Dr Simon Spiro, to discuss what it's like to be a veterinarian pathologist, and how pathology can be used for animal welfare and conservation

14:06 – Ellie is joined by Dr Becki Lawson to explore the Garden Wildlife Health Project and the detective work used to discover a snake fungal pathogen in Europe.

27:15 – Rob Deaville joins to explain what happened to "Hessy" the humpback whale, and how the Cetacean Strandings programme works.

40:10 – Ellie welcomes the final guest Dr Tammy Shadbolt to discuss the Disease Risk Analysis and Health Surveillance Project and how pathology can help solve wildlife crimes.

49:44 – The speakers give their advice for pursuing a career involving wildlife pathology from their varied backgrounds and perspectives.

Resources

• Previous ZSL Event "Revealing the unseen: the amazing world of wildlife pathology": https://www.zsl.org/science/whats-on/revealing-the-unseen-the-amazing-world-of-wildlife-pathology
• Blog: Grass in the Snake - Zoo Pathology in Practice: https://www.zsl.org/blogs/science/grass-in-the-snake-zoo-pathology-in-practice
• Royal College of Pathologists: Careers in Pathology: https://www.rcpath.org/discover-pathology/careers-in-pathology.html
• Royal College of Pathologists: Become a Veterinary Pathologist: https://www.rcpath.org/discover-pathology/careers-in-pathology/become-a-veterinary-pathologist.html
• Garden Wildlife Health Project: gardenwildlifehealth.org
• UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP): https://www.zsl.org/science/research/uk-cetacean-strandings-investigation-programme-csip
• "Hessy" the humpback whale in the media: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/09/humpback-whale-found-dead-thames-hit-by-ship
• Collaborative UK Marine Mammals Strandings Project: summary of contaminant data for the period 1993-2001: https://www.cefas.co.uk/publications/techrep/tech131.pdf
• Disease Risk Analysis and Health Surveillance (DRAHS) Project: https://www.zsl.org/science/wildlife-health/disease-risk-analysis-and-health-surveillance
• Hazel dormouse 1000th reintroduction: https://www.zsl.org/blogs/science/dormouse-reintroductions--a-landmark-day
• Study and Research Opportunities at ZSL: https://www.zsl.org/science/postgraduate-study

The anthropogenically driven climate crisis and unprecedented rates of biodiversity loss are both threatening the foundations of economies, livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life worldwide. Treating these two crises separately can be ineffectual or even deepen the problem. A recent landmark study calls for a more integrated approach to tackling the climate and biodiversity crises. Ellie Darbey will be joined by lead author of the article, Dr Nathalie Pettorelli, along with three co-authors, to share their expertise on these issues and help untangle the web of science and policy. Why is it important to tackle both these crises together? How can Nature-based Solutions help? And what needs to be done to integrate these solutions into global science-policy agendas?

Guests:

• Dr Nathalie Pettorelli, Zoological Society of London
• Professor Heather Koldewey, Zoological Society of London
• Professor William Sutherland CBE, University of Cambridge
• Matthew Lowton, Zoological Society of London

Overview

01:26 – Ellie Darbey introduces the co-host of this episode, Dr Nathalie Pettorelli, to discuss the climate change and biodiversity crises, and introduce Nature-based solutions (NbS).

12:12 – Ellie and Nathalie are joined by Professor Heather Koldewey to explore the use of protected areas and restoration projects in the marine world.

28:59 – Professor William Sutherland joins to explain how to measure the risks of NbS, and emphasises the importance of evidence-based science policies.

38:42 – Ellie and Nathalie welcome Matthew Lowton to discuss the global conventions for climate change and biodiversity, and the ways to get NbS into science-policy agendas.

Resources

• Article: "Time to integrate global climate change and biodiversity science-policy agendas": https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2664.13985
• Upcoming live ZSL Event on 12 October: https://www.zsl.org/science/whats-on/time-to-integrate-global-climate-change-and-biodiversity-science-policy-agendas
• Putting Nature at the heart of global decision making: https://www.zsl.org/natureatheart
• "Unite solutions to climate and biodiversity crises to save life on earth": https://www.zsl.org/news/unite-solutions-to-climate-and-biodiversity-crises-to-save-life-on-earth-says-zsl-led-study
• Previous ZSL Event "Nature to get out of the climate crisis - how does that work?": https://www.zsl.org/science/whats-on/nature-to-get-out-of-the-climate-crisis-how-does-that-work
• Previous Wild Science Podcast Episode "ZSL #028 What's next for rewilding?": https://www.zsl.org/zsl-wild-science-podcast
• United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change: https://unfccc.int/
• UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties UK 2021 (CoP 26): https://ukcop26.org/
• Convention on Biological Diversity: https://www.cbd.int/
• ZSL's Protected Areas and Restoration work:
  • https://www.zsl.org/regions/uk-overseas-territories/chagos-archipelago
  • https://www.zsl.org/conservation/regions/asia/rehabilitating-mangroves-in-the-philippines
  • https://www.zsl.org/conservation/regions/uk-europe/thames-conservation/native-oyster-restoration
• Conservation Evidence Resource: https://www.conservationevidence.com
• Book by William J. Sutherland et al. "What Works in Conservation 2021": https://www.openbookpublishers.com/product/1490
• Breadth of ZSL's conservation work: https://www.zsl.org/conservation/how-we-work

Coastal marine habitats are essential to the health of our marine ecosystem, and hold both environmental and social importance. They provide valuable ecosystem services, but for decades they have been impacted by harmful human activities. In her final episode as host, Monni Böhm will be joined by co-host Celine Gamble and an expert panel to explore the need for active restoration to conserve four incredible marine habitats: native oyster beds, saltmarshes, kelp forests and seagrass. How can we scale up these restoration efforts? What makes some species in these habitats ecological superheroes? And what on earth is a scuba-diving spider?

Please note: this episode was recorded in 2020.

Guests:

• Celine Gamble, Zoological Society of London
• Dr Joanne Preston, University of Portsmouth
• Angus Garbutt, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
• Dr Ian Hendy, The Blue Marine Foundation
• Dr Richard Unsworth, Swansea University and Project Seagrass

Overview

01:06 – Dr Monni Böhm introduces the co-host of this episode, Celine Gamble, to discuss why marine habitat restoration is needed, and introduce the Native Oyster Network.

05:29 – Monni and Celine are joined by Dr Joanne Preston who will discuss the forgotten ecosystem of oyster beds, and how to restore native oyster reefs in the UK.

14:51 – Angus Garbutt describes the diversity of saltmarshes of the UK, provides unique insight into their ecological and cultural importance, and the methods used to restore them.

28:12 – Monni and Celine introduce Dr Ian Hendy who explains what can be done to 'Help our Kelp' and why conserving it is crucial for marine biodiversity in the UK.

39:16 – Dr Richard Unsworth joins the hosts to talk about the importance of seagrasses, and the lessons learned from the UK's first major seagrass restoration project .

Resources

• 25 Year environment plan: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/25-year-environment-plan
• UN decade on Ecosystem Restoration: https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/
• Native Oyster Network: https://nativeoysternetwork.org/
• Native Oyster Network Habitat Restoration Handbook (November 2020): https://nativeoysternetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2020/11/ZSL00150%20Oyster%20Handbook_WEB.pdf
• ZSL Native oyster restoration: https://www.zsl.org/conservation/regions/uk-europe/thames-conservation/native-oyster-restoration
• Twitter: @NativeOysterNet; #OysterLove
• UKCEH Restoration of coastal habitats: https://www.ceh.ac.uk/our-science/projects/restoration
• The Saltmarsh App: https://www.saltmarshapp.com/
• Blue Marine Foundation Sussex Kelp Project: https://www.bluemarinefoundation.com/projects/sussex-kelp/
• Lyme Bay Reserve: https://www.lymebayreserve.co.uk/science/
• Research on Kelp and Oyster restoration in Australia: kelp and oyster restoration in Australia? https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2664.13719
• Project Seagrass (Seagrass Ocean Rescue): https://www.projectseagrass.org/
• Chesapeake Bay Seagrass Restoration: https://www.vims.edu/research/units/programs/sav1/restoration/index.php
• 750,000 seeds planted in Wales in UK's Biggest Seagrass Restoration Scheme: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/press-office/news-events/news/2020/03/750000-seeds-planted-in-wales-inuks-biggest-seagrassrestoration-scheme-.php