FOR MEMBERS AND WILDLIFE LOVERS
AUTUMN 2024
wildabout
How conservationists
WHIPSNADE WELCOMES THE BLACK LEMUR THINGS TO DO THIS SEASON
OUT OF THIS WORLD
Have you been to visit our young gorilla pair, Venus and Juno, recently? Be warned, the pair are out of this world on the cute-o-metre – you may end up spending your whole visit with them.
Juno (pictured) stays close to mum Mjukuu, who is a protective mother –but a bit of a softy when it comes to pampering her daughter! She also loves to play with her half-sister when she gets the chance. Venus, on the other hand, is much more independent. Under the watchful eye of mum Effie, Venus loves to climb and test her strength. She also looks just like her mum, she has Effie’s broader build and even her grey-tinged fur.
It’s not just the mums who are busy, it’s all hands on deck for the troop as they raise the two infants. Even big sister Alika, Mjukuu’s older daughter, has been taking a keen interest in the pair!
Juno and Venus were named by ZSL donors. If you’d like the chance to support our Zoos further and choose a name for one of our animals, contact the team at fundraising@zsl.org
Wild About is the magazine for Gold Members, Fellows and Patrons of London and Whipsnade Zoos
London Zoo, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY
Tel: 020 7722 3333 zsl.org
Registered Charity No. 208728
For more information about Membership, please contact our supporter contact team on 0344 225 1826.
Editor: Jonathan Kemeys
Design: Suzie Black and Emma Atkinson/ Alliance Creative wildabout@zsl.org
With thanks this issue to: Will Amlot, Rebecca Blanchard, Rosie Crowther, Gemma Dipple, Sarah Durant, Emma Edwards, John Ewen, Hannah Fisk, Sarah Forsyth, Matthew Gould, Charlotte Gurden, Joy Hadfield, Daniel Kane, The Marshall-Ocana family, Kate McDonough, Amy McKillop, Dennis Minja, Carolin Pockrandt, Natasha Roche, Fiona Sach, Vicki Sage, Kate Sanders, Stefan Saverimuttu, George Spooner, Grant Timberlake, Rosie Williams.
Wild About is printed on paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and contains elemental chlorine free (ECF) fibre, which comes from wellmanaged forests. Your copy of the magazine is sent to you in a recyclable envelope. Wild About is published three times a year and distributed to Gold Members and supporters. No part of Wild About may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without prior written permission from ZSL. ZSL cannot guarantee the return of unsolicited articles, photographs, etc. ZSL reserves the right to refuse an advertisement without explanation. ZSL does not necessarily endorse any of the products or services advertised. When you have finished with this issue please recycle it or share it!
A TOUCH OF CREATIVITY
Afew weeks ago we celebrated a special moment for conservation: the return of sihek to the wild. These beautiful kingfishers disappeared from the Pacific island of Guam in the 1980s, after the accidental introduction of non-native tree snakes to the island. Having evolved on an island without tree-climbing predators, the sihek proved easy prey for the snakes (who continue to wreak havoc to Guam’s ecosystem). In a revolutionary approach to conservation, our scientists and our partners around the world hatched a plan to introduce the birds to Palmyra Atoll – a much smaller and uninhabited island in the Pacific, free of tree snakes. Several of our zookeepers flew to the US to help hand-rear the sihek chicks before their release and finally, after four decades of care in zoos, the siheks will have a chance to breed on the island, building up their population ahead of a future return to Guam, once the tree snakes have been removed.
Conservation often requires more than a touch of creativity and, in this issue, we cover some of the other ingenious techniques we use in our mission to create a world where
wildlife can thrive. On page 15, Zookeeper Daniel Kane describes how, on a recent visit to Vietnam, he collected several litres of river water. From these samples, he’ll be able to detect the DNA of animals living in those rivers, find potentially unknown species living there and identify important habitats for conservation. Those same water samples will also help us improve our care for aquatic Asian species in zoos, like the crocodile lizard.
Read about the unbelievable way we conduct healthcare for our fish on page 11. And on page 18, hear from researcher Dennis Minja about how he is using GPS collars fitted to wild cheetahs to unlock secrets of their behaviour – in particular, their behaviour towards humans.
I’m honoured to be leading such a creative bunch. I hope you’re as proud and excited as I am about the work we’re up to.
Matthew Gould CEO, ZSL
HOME ON PALMYRA ATOLL, THANKS TO THE WORK OF OUR SCIENTISTS, ZOOKEEPERS AND PARTNERS
NINE SIHEKS (GUAM KINGFISHERS) HAVE MADE THEIR
SET FLIGHT
This summer nine siheks were released into the wild on Palmyra Atoll, a tiny island in the Pacific Ocean. After a heroic effort to breed enough of these tiny birds for the release, involving zookeepers from London and Whipsnade Zoos, the kingfishers made the long journey to their new island home – over 3,000 miles to the west of the US mainland!
It is the first time they have lived in the wild for 40 years, and the release is several years in the planning, involving ZSL’s scientists, the Guam Government and partners from across the world. Siheks are also known as Guam kingfishers, but disappeared from Guam (another island in the Pacific) in the 1980s after the accidental introduction of tree snakes to the island, who fed on siheks and their eggs. The birds on Palmyra will be closely monitored by conservationists and the hope is that the birds can successfully establish a population on the tiny island, ahead of a future reintroduction to Guam.
We’ve formed the Extinct in the Wild Alliance with our partners, to drive forward to the recovery of species that have disappeared from the wild. Find out more at zsl.org/extinctinthewild
in the western Himalayas, where they developed thick fur and a head for heights. The goats are famed for their bravery and were adopted by the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. In the 1800s a semi-wild herd of the goats was set up on the Great Orme peninsula outside Llandudno. Beloved by locals and tourists alike, the goats shot to fame during the Covid-19 pandemic when they were filmed venturing into the deserted town during the nationwide lockdown. Whipsnade Zoo has a long history of keeping Kashmiri goats, even providing several goat mascots for the Royal Welsh!
ROARSOME ARRIVAL
Have you spotted our new arrival at Whipsnade Zoo, Miron the Amur tiger? Miron arrived this summer from Knowsley Safari Park, and quickly cooled down during the hot weather in his new pad’s pool. Miron is 10 years old and weighs 163kg – the same as two or three adult humans! He was born in Russia, at Moscow Zoo, the country where Amur tigers originate. Tigers were once found across much of Asia – including the Middle East, as far as modern-day Turkey. Sadly, there are now just an estimated 5,500 wild tigers left in the wild, and they have disappeared from much of their historic homelands.
HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN HUNT
Calling all treasure-hunting, beady-eyed members! This Halloween season we’re going to be running a Golden Pumpkin Hunt at each Zoo.
To celebrate spooky season, we will be hiding a small, golden pumpkin somewhere at each Zoo, every day throughout Halloween*, for Zoo members to find. The first member to spot the pumpkin and bring their finding to a member of event staff each day will win a prize.**
To find out more about our full selection of Halloween activities, from spooky trails to face-painting and craft activities, turn to page 12 or visit Londonzoo.org and Whipsnadezoo.org
*From 19 October to 3 November at London; 26 October to 3 November at Whipsnade
**Winners at London will receive a £20 gift voucher for the Zoo shop. Whipsnade winners will receive a goodie bag packed with Halloween treats!
LOOKING FOR CLUES: WHAT CAUSED SCOTLAND’S WHALE STRANDINGS?
Earlier this year, you may have seen the news of the stranding of 77 pilot whales on Scotland’s Orkney Islands. It’s the largest ever stranding of pilot whales on British shores and, sadly, none of the whales could be saved.
Pilot whales are small whales, closely related to dolphins, that grow to around six metres long. Their favourite food is squid and they live in large groups that can grow to thousands of whales. But what causes so many whales to strand together on a beach?
ZSL leads England and Wales’ Cetacean Stranding Investigation Programme (CSIP for short), a group of scientists and veterinarians looking into the reasons why cetaceans (the collective word for whales, dolphins and porpoises) wash up on our shores.
Several colleagues from ZSL journeyed to Scotland the day after the incident to help colleagues from the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS) try to understand what could have gone wrong.
“Over a gruelling few days we examined and collected samples from all 77 whales,” explains ZSL’s Rosie Williams. “We’re looking for any indication as to why the whales could have got lost and ended up heading onto the beach. Initial examinations suggest the whales were healthy, so scientists at SMASS will work through a process of elimination to try and find the cause.
“Mass strandings like these can occur for lots of different reasons. Something may have frightened them in the water, like a sound or a predator. Or they may have been trying to catch food and become disoriented. Pilot whales are very social creatures and sadly, when one animal strands, the whole group often follow and strand with them.”
Rosie and the CSIP team will continue to assist their colleagues in Scotland in the hunt for clues to the disaster. “It’s important we learn what happened here, so we can try to prevent these events happening in future,” adds Rosie.
Image © Sarah Tuck
WHIPSNADE WELCOMES THE BLACK LEMUR
Meet the black lemur, a Madagascan primate that is, well, not always actually black.
“The name is a bit inaccurate – females are tawny brown colour, with hints of white and black on the head, and bright amber eyes,” explains Grant Timberlake, Team Leader of Whipsnade’s Primate team.
The species is in fact named after the males, ninja-like in jet black fur from head to tail. But what our male, Kagi and female, Camilla do share is a set of ear tufts that Albert Einstein would have been proud of, and an inquisitive attitude that is sure to be a hit with visitors.
“It’s been incredibly fun getting to know Camilla and Kagi,” says Grant. “They’re eager to participate in training, and they have great appetites. They were a little quiet to begin with but, now they’re in their new home, we’re expecting them to show off a range of hoots, barks and howls.”
UNFUSSY EATERS
A black lemur’s favourite dish is fruit, but they’ll also most other things found in the forest: leaves, seeds, nectar, flowers and the odd juicy grub or insect.
The new residents have moved into Whipsnade’s In with the Lemurs, which they share with our troop of ring-tailed lemurs. “We’re going to be introducing the two species to each other slowly over the coming months, to ensure they get on well,” says Grant. “Lemurs in Madagascar regularly bump into other lemur species, so they’re not too fazed.”
Madagascar is the fifth largest island in the world, twice the size of Great Britain. It is 400km away from mainland Africa.
Much of the island’s forests have been lost – cut down for timber and agriculture –putting many of its species at risk of extinction.
Madagascar
Madagascar is home to thousands of unique animals and plants, which evolved separately on the island and exist nowhere else in the world (like lemurs, and the famous baobab tree).
It is thought that humans first colonised Madagascar approximately 1,500 years ago – around the same time the Roman Empire was collapsing across the Mediterranean.
By working with other zoos we can grow the numbers of black lemurs in human care, in case something should happen in the wild
SPECIAL DELIVERY
“Most importantly, their arrival means we can care for another very rare species in the same space,” says Grant.
Black lemurs, just like our ring-tailed lemurs, are considered Endangered, which means that their numbers are decreasing and there is a high chance of extinction.
“We’ve decided to bring them into Whipsnade so that we can contribute to the breeding programme. By working with other zoos we can grow the numbers of black lemurs in human care, in case something should happen in the wild,” says Grant.
“Camilla and Kagi are getting on very well, and we hope they’ll have babies very soon!” he adds.
A TASTE FOR THE FINER THINGS
Black lemurs are omnivores, just like humans, meaning they will eat lots of different things. In their case, it’s fruit, seeds, nectar and insects.
Unlike us though, lemurs have very special teeth that are perfect for removing dirt and parasites from their own or another lemur’s fur. The front six teeth of their lower jaw (the ones between their pointy incisors) are long, thin and partially fused together – just like the teeth on a comb! They even have a second, smaller tongue, that they use for keeping their mini ‘mouth comb’ clean – it looks like a small white triangle underneath their long, pink tongue, and it’s easiest to spot when they yawn.
And it gets even weirder! Black lemurs are one of several lemur species who have been observed dining on the chemicals produced by giant millipedes.
Giant millipedes produce toxins to ward off predators, and black lemurs delight in encouraging the millipedes to release their toxins, by giving the millipede a nibble. The lemurs then rub toxins over themselves, even going into a blissful state of enjoyment. It’s thought that the chemicals produced by the millipedes help to ward off biting insects and, as a side effect, cause a state of euphoria for the lemurs.
You might think that one good turn deserves another but, unfortunately for the millipedes, they often end as a tasty snack for the lemur.
MEET THE CUBS
Asiatic lion cubs Mali, Syanii and Shanti recently turned six months old. Amy McKillop, London Zoo’s Lion Keeper, joins Wild About to share her insights into how they’re developing
THERE’S NO I IN TEAM
Lions might be fast and powerful, but their ultimate superpower is teamwork, says Amy. “Tigers hunt alone, so they have to be strong by themselves, but the lion’s success is down to their ability to work with other lions as a group.”
Hunting as a team means they can take down far larger prey than a lone tiger. And it has other benefits too, she says – “larger meals mean longer to laze around afterwards! Lions spend a lot more time resting between hunts than tigers.”
And their ability to bond as a group could also be a sign of greater intelligence than other big cats too. “It’s not as complex as gorilla society – it’s
Arya uses a special ‘cub call’ to get her cubs’ attention. It’s a low, throaty rumble, like the call of a pigeon, that causes Arya’s chest and throat vibrate.
LISTENCLOSE, LITTLEONES
a more instinctual type of intelligence –but lions have to be able to understand hierarchy, coordinate attacks and communicate with each other over huge distances without being able to see each other.”
“Studies on animal intelligence suggest that animals who work together – like dolphins, primates, lions – are more intelligent. Otherwise they wouldn’t be able to work together so well.”
LEARNING HOW TO LION
Lions-in-training like our cubs spend most of their waking hours playing. But it isn’t all fun and games, says Amy. “Just like human children, lion cubs learn best through play,” she says. “One of their favourite games is stalking, which is the perfect way to develop their hunting skills.
For our cubs, this means sneaking up on each other (or an unsuspecting parent) and pouncing!”
Just like domestic cats chasing string, our cubs are fascinated by their parent’s tails. “You’ll often see them diving on one of their parent’s flicking tails, as if it’s a snake or a bird.”
And how does mum react to having tiny teeth and claws treat her tail like dinner? “As well as she can I suppose!” laughs Amy. “Arya usually flashes her teeth at them, or she’ll do a little snarl to make it clear that playtime is over. It’s always very gentle – she’s such a patient mother – but she’ll likely get stricter as the cubs get bigger and rougher.”
The cubs have started eating meat, and will have fully weaned around six months. Their favourite dish is horse meat, though they’ve also tried rabbit and chicken.
M A L I THE ADVENTURER
Where the boys can rely on being the biggest or the loudest, our female cub Shanti is the smallest of the litter. Instead, she relies on her wits. “She’s quite calculating and clever,” says Amy. “If she spots some food that’s been forgotten or missed by her brothers, she’ll eat it quietly without letting on. She’s a lot like her mother – she doesn’t charge in, preferring to assess the situation and take opportunities when they come.”
SYAN I I THE VOCALIST
FAST FOOD
You’ll usually find Mali off exploring an area of his home, says Amy. “He’s the largest of the three and he’s also the most independent – preferring to spend his time climbing and discovering new things than resting with his family.” There is one exception though, says Amy – Mali is a real daddy’s boy. If Bhanu is napping, one of Mali’s favourite games is to sneak up on him and pounce.
SHANTI THE PROFESSOR
He might not be the biggest, but Syanii sure is the loudest, says Amy. “He likes to get his point across,” she says, “whether it’s to demand food or attention when he sees others getting some. He’s an extremely confident lion cub, and that’s behaviour that will serve him very well as he grows, causing his parents to give him more attention (and food) than the others. It’ll be interesting to see if Syanii shoots up in size as his behaviour pays off.”
LESSON 1: EMBRACE THE POWER COUPLE
From the Obamas to the Beckhams, power couples have proved that sharing the limelight isn’t always a bad thing – but did you know it’s also key to the survival of one small, southern African carnivore? Meerkats live in matriarchal groups, which means that they are led by a single female. However, the alpha female knows that two are stronger than one, so she chooses a male as her partner and the two rule their ‘mob’ (the term for meerkat groups) together. Others in the mob provide care and food for the power couples’ pups, ensuring their safety and success.
LESSON 2: FINESSE YOUR FOXTROT
Most politicians are keen to avoid dancing at all costs – and with good reason, we’ve all cringed at ministers on Strictly Come Dancing! But bees teach us that knowing the right moves, combined with a sprinkle of dazzle, can be the difference between victory and defeat. When honeybees outgrow their hives they send out worker bee scouts to look for a new home. Returning bees perform a waggle dance – a series of steps that tells the colony where the new potential home is. Scouts compete against each other to be the most vigorous dancer, in the hope of convincing the rest of the colony that their solution is the best one.
LESSON 3:
ANIMAL
POLITICS
LESSONS FROM THE ANIMAL KINGDOM
The UK has a new prime minister, and the US will shortly elect its new President. What leadership advice could our Zoo animals offer?
YOU SCRATCH MY BACK, I SCRATCH YOURS
Every good leader should know that being the loudest and the strongest will only get you so far – making alliances is vital for long term success. Chimpanzees build bonds by grooming each other, combing one another’s hair to look for bugs or dead skin. The more alliances a chimp leader can build through grooming, the better chance they have of holding onto power. Now, you might not want your local politician giving you a back rub, but you’d probably be more likely to support them if they offered to do you a favour, like walk your dog or take out the bins every so often?
WISE BIRD
A group of owls is known as a parliament because Ancient Greeks considered owls wise, and Ancient Greece is the home of the world’s first parliament. However, our feathered friends aren’t quite as clever as the
LESSON 4: CARRY A HANDKERCHIEF
Forget your paper ballot cards and raised hands, researchers have found that African wild dogs vote by sneezing. When a wild dog decides they are hungry and want the rest of the pack to go hunting with them, they’ll blow air out of their nose – and if enough of the other dogs sneeze back, it’s time to go hunting. (If not, everyone goes back to sleep.) The lesson? Always stage your vote around lunchtime! Or carry a pepper pot.
HOW TO… GIVE A FISH A CHECK UP
ANAESTHETIC
Every animal that arrives at London Zoo undergoes a health check. Before we could examine these fish (a pope cardinal and a surgeonfish, who arrived at the Zoo earlier this year) we needed to anaesthetise them. When humans go to hospital for an operation they often breath in the anaesthetic through a mask. It’s just the same for fish, except they breathe using their gills to take oxygen from the water around them. So we mix the anaesthetic in the water itself.
DID KNOW?YOU
Fish secrete a slimy mucus, which coats their scales and protects their skin from damage and disease. We keep the fish wet throughout the procedure to ensure this protective membrane doesn’t dry out.
Slime coat
STEP THREE
THE PHYSICAL EXAM
The health exam isn’t much different to a human; the vet checks the eyes, mouth, teeth, skin and fins are healthy, and feels by hand to make sure each fish has a healthy amount of muscle. But the biggest part of the exam is the gills. Gills are the fish’s equivalent of lungs, and they can become infected, affecting how well they breathe – just like us when we have a chest infection. We check the gills for parasites, using a tiny high-definition camera called an endoscope, and take a small sample of the gills to check under a microscope.
KEEPING THE FISH SAFE
Once the fish are asleep, our zookeepers – who are experts in the correct way to handle fish – bring them out of the water.
One of the jobs of our veterinary nurse is to keep our fishes breathing by slowly pumping water over their gills using a syringe. We also have a small ultrasound device that allows us to listen to their heartbeat.
On a fish, the heart is found just behind the head, below the side fin (known as the pectoral fin).
STEP FOUR
A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH
Once both fish pass their checks, it’s time to put them into a fresh tank of water. Fish wake up fairly quickly, but we’ll often give them a gentle nudge with our hands to stimulate their swim instinct and get fresh water flowing over their gills. The fish stay quarantined in their own tank for a few more days while we check our samples under the microscope, and then it’s time to introduce them to their new home: London Zoo’s coral reef zone in Tiny Giants.
STEP ONE
STEP TWO
THINGS TO DO THIS SEASON
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NIGHTMARISH NATURE
LONDON ZOO
19 OCT – 3 NOV
WHIPSNADE ZOO
26 OCT – 3 NOV
Calling all little monsters and fearless families, join us for a frightfully good Halloween this half term with Boo at the Zoo. At London, pick up your spooky trail card and navigate through the extinct species graveyard, or at Whipsnade your little devils will enjoy a spooky magic show, a Halloween disco and a ghost trail on our steam train.* For those feeling a bit crafty we even have face painting and pumpkin decorating* at both Zoos. Extra charges apply for steam train, face painting and pumpkin decorating.
CHRISTMAS AT LONDON ZOO
LONDON ZOO 23 NOV – 24 DEC
Get your merry Christmas off to a roaring start at London Zoo. Magic isn’t just for reindeer, so come and see how our animals celebrate Christmas, from tasty treats, to festively fun enrichment. Over in Santa’s grotto, youngsters can read their wish list to Santa himself* before receiving a special gift to take home. For those who want the full Christmas experience, you can even join Santa and his elves for breakfast before the Zoo opens. *Extra charges apply for Meet Santa.
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FESTIVE FUN AT WHIPSNADE
WHIPSNADE ZOO 23 NOV – 24 DEC
Make Christmas extra magical this year by journeying through the animal kingdom to Meet Santa* at Whipsnade Zoo. You’ll find him in his magical grotto, where children can share their Christmas wishes and take home a special present for under the tree. For an additional treat, join Mrs Claus and our elves for a delicious breakfast before heading over to feed our penguins theirs! This is sure to knock the socks off any youngster.
*Extra charges apply for Meet Santa
Halloween is here and Christmas is just around the corner. Get into the holiday spirit with a smorgasbord of events and experiences to entertain the whole family. Pop our dates in the diary so you don’t miss out and keep an eye on member emails for updates and timings
SAVE THE DATES
Tear me out and stick me next to your calendar or on the fridge
STROLL WITH THE ALPACAS
WHIPSNADE ZOO
Is there anything more adorable than a curly-haired, bunnyeared alpaca? If your answer is (correctly) a firm “no”, then we’ve got the perfect activity for you or a loved one. On our alpaca walking experience you’ll enter the Zoo before it opens to the general public, meet and walk your own alpaca around the Zoo, before arriving back at the farm to feed the alpacas their breakfast. Make sure you get lots of pictures on your walk, and remember, we’ll need your alpaca back at the end of the walk! Gold Members, Patrons and Fellows receive 10% off experiences!
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YOUR FESTIVE OVERNIGHT RETREAT
LONDON ZOO 18 – 30 DEC
Experience the ultimate Christmas getaway at the London Zoo Lodges, where the magic of the holiday season meets the wonder of wildlife.
WINTER WALKS
WHIPSNADE ZOO
Whipsnade’s wildlife isn’t just for summer, it’s for all year round. Join one of our free weekly walks around the Zoo and learn from one of our experts about autumn fungi and the trees at Whipsnade. You’ll also learn about the winter adaptations of a lot of our species, and some of the hidden gems of Whipsnade that come into their own during the colder months. Walks follow a different theme, are held every Thursday at 10.30am, and start from the Visitor Centre. For more info, visit whipsnadezoo.org/ walk-week 4
Nestled within the heart of Land of the Lions, our lodges offer a unique and enchanting escape for those seeking a festive adventure like no other. Highlights of the stay include festive treats and mulled wine, a crackling campfire with toasted marshmallows, and Christmasthemed enrichment making for our animals. Gold Members, Patrons and Fellows receive 10% off experiences! Visit londonzoo.org/experiences to find out more.
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George Spooner set out to become a police officer, but fell in love with the life of a zookeeper
WILD LIFE
MY JOURNEY TO BECOMING A ZOOKEEPER WAS A BIT UNUSUAL…
When I left school, my plan was to become a dog handler for the police, but I was too young at that point. I decided to get some hands-on experience working with animals, so I got a job at a local children’s farm. It was there I caught the bug – I knew I wanted to be a zookeeper.
I’VE NOW BEEN A ZOOKEEPER FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS…
And I can honestly say I’ve never looked back. I really enjoy the physical side of the job, and the chance to work hands-on with the animals. It’s the best feeling in the world when it’s a beautiful day on the Dunstable Downs and you’re working alongside the animals you care for.
MY FAVOURITE ANIMALS ARE…
The camels. They’re such big, powerful animals, and they’re one of the most endangered mammals on the planet – yet they’re also a bit of an unsung hero. People don’t realise how intelligent they are and, on the plains of Mongolia where the ones at Whipsnade originate, camels have developed some truly incredible
survival techniques. I even have a camel tattoo, on my right calf.
I HAVE A SOFT SPOT FOR…
Oakley, our bull camel. He’s not the sharpest camel in the bunch – in fact, he’s probably the silliest in our herd. But he joined Whipsnade around the same time as I did, and he was the first camel I trained, so we built a bit of a bond as we learned together. (Some people also say that we have similar haircuts.)
ALL OF OUR CAMELS ARE TRAINED…
To wear halters, a kind of head collar that allows us to move them easily between their different paddocks. They’re also trained to have inspections every day of their feet and teeth. Thanks to regular training, we can even take blood samples without our camels batting an eyelid. It involves getting them used to having a patch of fur on their neck shaved off, and the feeling of a blunt needle on their skin, so when it comes to doing it for real, they’re not concerned at all.
THE WORST THING ABOUT CAMELS IS…
Their breath! We leave them in their paddock overnight and, when you bring them into their house after a night of grass-munching, they produce a lot of burps.
It’s the best feeling in the world when it’s a beautiful day on the Dunstable Downs and you’re working alongside the animals you care for.
PEOPLE OFTEN ASK ME…
If camel humps store water. They don’t – camel humps are full of fat, which they use as energy stores if they can’t find food. During the breeding season, Oakley is too interested in our female camels to spend much time eating, so his hump becomes all droopy because he’s using up his fat reserves. Once the breeding season is over he’ll eat lots of food to build up his hump again.
ONE OF THE MOST FULFILLING PARTS OF THE JOB…
Isn’t always to do with the animals themselves, it’s interacting with our visitors and seeing their joy at learning about our animals. We have lots of members who visit regularly, and it creates a real community feel. You can see how much they care, and they know all the animals’ names. I don’t think you get that at every zoo –Whipsnade feels a bit special.
MY ADVICE TO ANYONE THINKING OF BECOMING A ZOOKEEPER…
Is don’t limit yourself to working with one species or animal group. I originally joined Whipsnade Zoo’s bird team – I didn’t pick camels, they picked me. Let yourself explore your passions and be open to falling in love with an animal you never expected!
Field notes from
Zookeeper Daniel Kane recently returned from northern Vietnam, where we’re working to protect rare reptiles and amphibians
MY MISSION: TO EXPLORE VIETNAM’S NORTHWEST MOUNTAINS, A HAVEN FOR RARE AND UNDISCOVERED REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS
6 HOURS BY BUS
15
HOURS BY PLANE
Hong Lien National Park, Vietnam London
3
HOURS HIKING
MY JOURNEY TO OUR CAMP in the mountains of northern Vietnam took around 24 hours. It began with a 13-hour flight from London to the capital, Ho Chi Minh City, and a twohour flight to the country’s northern hub: Hanoi.
IN HANOI, I met with two Vietnamese conservationists: Luan Thanh Nguyen and Dung (pronounced ‘Zung’) Tuyet. Together, we boarded a bus to Sa Pa, a beautiful mountain town on the edge of Hong Lien National Park. After a short stopover in a hotel for a much-needed sleep, followed by a short taxi ride to the edge of the forest, we began our hike up into the mountain range.
Luan
Dung
Ho Chi Minh City
Hanoi
Sa Pa
Dan with H’mong keelback snake
Green pit viper
First base
The Roof of Indochina
OUR FOCUS ON THIS TRIP was to collect DNA samples for two rare frogs: the Sterling’s toothed toad, and the Botsford’s leaf-litter frog. They’re both newly discovered species and very little is known about their population. But, by collecting DNA samples from enough wild frogs, we can use genetic computer modelling to estimate how many frogs are in the area. The DNA will also tell us how healthy the populations are. Are there signs of inbreeding, a sure sign of a population that is too small, or is the number of frogs in decline?
FIRST THOUGH, WE HAD TO FIND THE FROGS! Unlike rangers looking for signs of rhino or big cats, frog trackers like Luan, Dung and I conduct our searches at nighttime. Frogs hide from predators during the day and become most active at night, making them much easier to spot after dark.
VIETNAM’S MOUNTAINS ARE VERY WET, and it rained the entire time we hiked. We were carrying a huge amount of scientific equipment to help us record the species we would see, as well as enough food for eight days, but thankfully we had hired a group of porters to help us on our journey. Eventually, at just over two kilometres above sea level, we made it to our first base – a metal shed, with wooden benches inside for sleeping on.
Northern Vietnam is a very mountainous area – it’s sometimes known as The Roof of Indochina and sits at the tail end of the Himalayas. These mountains, which formed around four million years ago, have created a unique mountain habitat for species to evolve in and made it difficult for humans to explore. This means that there is still so much to learn about the area and its wildlife. Since ZSL began working there 10 years ago we’ve helped to describe eight species of frog, all new to science, and one new snake species.
3,143m
MOUNT FANSIPAN IS VIETNAM’S HIGHEST MOUNTAIN, STANDING AT AN IMPRESSIVE 3,143M TALL
Botsford’s leaflitter frog
Order: Anura
Family: Megophryidae
Population: Declining
Size: 3cm
Weight: 2-3g
BOTSFORD’S LEAF-LITTER FROG CRITICALLY ENDANGERED ENDANGERED
STERLING’S TOOTHED TOAD
Order: Anura
Family: Megophryidae
Population: Declining
Size: 3.5-4.5cm
Weight: 3-9g
Sterling’s toothed toad
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WE HAD OUR DINNER AND THEN SET OFF around sunset, wearing a head torch, wellies, full waterproofs and thick socks to keep our feet warm when we’re wading through icy rivers. Hiking through jungles at night might sound scary – and it was, when I first tried it! –but it’s an addictive and exhilarating experience.
JUST LIKE A SCUBA DIVER peaking beneath the waves and discovering a whole new world, its a completely different jungle at night time. The entire place comes alive, and you have the chance to see animals you’d never see in the day. You quickly forget it’s nighttime.
FINDING THE FROGS
ISN’T EASY – the two species we were looking for are brown, so they blend in with a lot of the leaf litter. But we worked methodically, checking every rock, every leaf and every branch as we worked our way up a river. You start to learn where to look – where the frogs like to hang out – and over the course of nine days we ended up collecting samples from over 100 Sterling’s toads and 15 Botsford’s frogs, as well as samples from other species. We also took water samples from all of the rivers and streams we surveyed. These water samples will help us improve knowledge about the chemical balance Vietnamese amphibians need in their water when being cared for in zoos. But, even more excitingly, we can check the water for animal DNA. DNA SAMPLES TAKEN FROM
IT’S KNOWN AS ENVIRONMENTAL DNA, or eDNA for short, and it refers to the tiny pieces of DNA that all animals leave behind them in their environment (in this case the water, but eDNA exists everywhere). Some animals are so well hidden that it can take years of searching to find just one. But, using eDNA, we’ll be able to work out what animals live in the area. This is very helpful information for the team in charge of the national park. Should they need to install a sewage line, or a new walking trail, or some other kind of infrastructure, they’ll know which are the most biodiverse streams and therefore where to avoid damaging.
SPECIES DESCRIBED BY LUAN AND ZSL Head torches
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ON THE TAIL OF CHEETAH
Tourism is vital to conserving the Serengeti, says ZSL researcher Dennis Minja, but could too much tourism be affecting the survival of Tanzania’s rarest big cat?
“Imagine endless grass plains, thousands of wildebeest and zebra grunting and whinnying to each other, backed by a ruby-red sunset,” says Dennis, with a grin. “It’s a special place to work,” he adds – a bit of an understatement!
Dennis Minja is a ZSL researcher studying for his PhD in Tanzania’s Serengeti. He grew up in Tanzania’s highlands, inspired by television documentaries about African wildlife. He’s now tasked with understanding the effects that human activities could be having on a fragile cheetah population: namely, the tourism industry and local livestock herders.
The Serengeti has drawn tourists from all over the world to experience it, who bring with them important cash and jobs for the country’s economy.
are avoiding areas where tourist activity is high,” says Dennis. “They’re avoiding roads, and they’re staying away from cattle herders too. In fact, they’re treating humans just like they would a large predator, like a lion.”
Cheetahs are much smaller than lions and leopards, who will kill cheetahs and their cubs if they can catch them. It means they have to be more mobile than their larger cousins, covering great distances to find prey and stay ahead of other predators.
“Cheetahs rely on movement to survive,” says Dennis. “If we restrict their routes in the savannah too much, will they be able to cope? And can they access the habitats they need to find food and raise their cubs?”
Dennis hopes to find out, using the GPS data from specially made collars
What we’ve found so far, is that cheetahs are avoiding areas where tourist activity is high.
How to collar a cheetah
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When we’ve located a cheetah, a veterinarian from the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute uses a tranquilliser dart to safely sedate the big cat. We get very close – just 10-15 metres away – to ensure an accurate shot with the dart gun. The vet aims for the muscles of the shoulder or the rump of the cheetah, to make sure that the dart works effectively.
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Once the cheetah is asleep and it’s safe to approach, it’s time to fit the collar. Collars are used by conservationists all over the world to understand the behaviour of wild animals and they come in different sizes. The smaller the animal, the smaller the collar must be to ensure it doesn’t affect the animal. Attached to our collars are a battery, a beacon (that we use to track our cheetah’s movements by satellite), a temperature sensor and an accelerometer to tell us when the cheetah is moving at top speed.
injects the cheetah with a drug that counteracts the tranquilliser. We return carefully to our 4x4 and the cheetah is awake within 5-10 minutes. I monitor them closely for several days by binocular, to make sure they are fully recovered. I also regularly return to the park to observe them in person. The collars tell us about where, when and how the cheetahs are moving, but we need to be there in person to test out certain theories. For example, the collars tell us that the cheetahs aren’t hunting as much during a certain time of day, could it coincide with times when tour vehicles are nearby? The answer, we now know, is yes!
HIDE AND SEEK
Test your wits and courage against our animals in the greatest game of all: hide and seek. But beware, our animals are professionals – in the animal kingdom, one false move is enough to become someone’s dinner
If hide and seek was an Olympic sport there’s no doubt that our animals would be on the winners’ podium. Some animals, like the mossy frog, use camouflage to hide from predators, but predators also use camouflage to sneak up on their dinner. Can you fill in our hide-andseek pros in the crossword below?
DID YOU KNOW?
Invertebrates have taken camouflage to the next level, evolving to look like inanimate objects, such as leaves, sticks and even bird poop (in the case of several spider species)
What animal is the worst at hide and seek? The becauseleopard,it’s always spotted!
HEAVYWEIGHT HIDE-AND-SEEKER
Tigers use their stripes to blend in with jungle foliage, their night vision is six times better than ours, and their super sense of smell helps them sniff out well-hidden prey. Can you reveal London Zoo’s Asim, hiding in the long grass?
HIDE-AND-SEEK NO HOPERS
Flamingos are so bright they’d have a job hiding (unless it’s inside a marshmallow factory). Can you think of any other animals that might not be good at hide and seek?
FIND ME IN THE FOREST
Their flame-red fur might not look like good camouflage, but red pandas are experts at staying out of sight. Red pandas live in the mountainous forests of the Himalayas, and the fir trees where they like to sleep are often covered with clumps of reddish-brown moss and white lichens that look just like a curled-up red panda. Red pandas also have black fur on their tummy and legs, which helps to hide them in the shadowy foliage, should any hungry snow leopards look upwards!
Send us a picture of your colourful creation to be in with the chance of winning a one of our red pandas from the ZSL shop! Ask a grown up to take a picture of your entry and email it to us at wildabout@zsl.org with your name, age and postal address by 1 January 2025. Email the same address for full terms and conditions.
For parents Ben and Sacha, being Patrons of London and Whipsnade Zoos are a way to share their passion for animals with their children, Harrison (6) and Arabelle (2), while supporting an organisation they love.
“We have loved animals and nature since we were young children ourselves, and it was so important to pass that onto our own children,” explains Ben. “I grew up in St Albans and I’ve been visiting both Zoos since I was a very young child.
“It is such a safe space for them to be free and run around, I particularly enjoy the view of the Dunstable Downs opposite the rhino paddock – it totally clears the head after a week at work,” adds Sacha.
Ben and Sacha first became ZSL Members, but recently upgraded to Patrons. Membership was a nobrainer, because they were such keen visitors anyway, says Ben. “Becoming a Patron has meant we can support ZSL even more, enhance our experience at the Zoos, and we can bring other visitors along with us.”
A typical visit starts with the lynx, the chimps and then the penguins (an Arabelle favourite), but whatever else they do on their day, they never miss the giraffes, says Ben. “They’re Harrison’s favourite animal, and the
“I have very fond memories, and I wanted Harrison and Arabelle to have that too.”
addition of the two new babies has made it even more magical for him.
“We often end the day with a drive around the safari section, Passage through Asia, which is another family favourite.”
It doesn’t end there though. Ben and Sacha consider themselves passionate conservationists, and it’s important their children understand ZSL’s role in conservation, says Sacha.
“We watch a lot of nature programmes with the children –Harrison’s personal favourite is Steve Backshall. The children enjoy learning about the world beyond humanity, and how wildlife live. But at the same time, it’s important they learn about why zoos like ZSL are such important places to preserve animal life, partly because of the damage humans have done,” says Sacha.
“Every visit is a fun day out, but we’ve taught Harrison that ZSL is more than just an attraction,” he adds.
It looks like Harrison has already caught the family bug for wildlife. “He loves finding out new facts on a visit and sharing them with us, his teachers
and school mates,” says Ben.
He has a busy life of social events and sports clubs, but it’s the Zoos that he loves the most, adds Sacha. “Harrison has tennis and rugby lessons, as well as swimming, and a weekly mini-olympics after school club. But it’s the giraffes that are his biggest passion.
“We love watching him charge towards the giraffe paddock on each visit with such excitement.”
You go, Harrison!
We want to hear more of your stories! Get in touch at wildabout@zsl.org to share your experience of being a part of ZSL.
CHRISTMAS CRACKERS
Put your feet up and prepare for that ‘I did all my shopping in October’ feeling, we’ve got you covered with the perfect gifts for your family. Best of all, the profits help us care for our animals and support our conservation around the world.
shop.zsl.org
Adopt a penguin
Passionate about penguins?
Support their care and our conservation work with our new penguin chick adoption pack, including a personalised certificate, soft toy, pin badge and species fact file.
Junior zookeeper
Prepare for our Junior Zookeeper range (from £10) to become the uniform of choice for daytrips to our Zoos. Options come in a range of sizes and include hats, t-shirts, hoodies and even a babysuit (for the smallest wannabee zookeepers).
Back to school
Send your little one back to nursery or school this winter with a spring in their step with our drinking bottle (£22) and penguin backpacks (£40, also available in tiger, crocodile and macaw).
DON’T FORGET
Gold Members, Fellows and Patrons can grab 10% discount in our shops using code OKAPI10
Protect the planet
Don’t leave the house without your handy tote bag (£6) made from recycled bottles. Tote bags also come in flamingo, giraffe, sloth and tiger designs.
Art collector Brighten up your home with an icon of London Zoo. Our exclusive range of Jane Bowyer art prints (£12) and mugs (£10) are gorgeous gifts for penguin lovers.
Get nesty
Get cozy with your very own penguin this winter. Our range of penguin soft toys (from £15) are the perfect bedtime buddies.