ZSL #038 Extinct in the wild: the vital role of conservation zoos and aquariums in saving species on the brink of extinction - a podcast by Zoological Society of London

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: wild.science@zsl.org
• 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 wild.science@zsl.org with your questions, comments, and thoughts for future episodes!
• Tweet us @ZSLScience with the hashtag #ZSLWildScience
• Follow us on Facebook @ZSLScienceAndConservation

Further episodes of ZSL Wild Science Podcast

Further podcasts by Zoological Society of London

Website of Zoological Society of London