FOR MEMBERS AND WILDLIFE LOVERS
SPRING 2025
wildabout LESSONS IN
BUTTERFLIES THE OF BRILLIANCE AMPHIBIAN ALERT
BRINGING THE DOVE
IN THE WILD EXTINCT
Look out for three new Socorro doves in the Blackburn Pavilion, London Zoo’s tropical bird house, on your next visit. The trio arrived from Portugal’s Lagos Zoo, joining our group of six doves as we work to breed more of these Extinct in the Wild doves.
The Socorro dove, a beautiful bird endemic to a tiny island off the coast of Mexico, disappeared from the wild in the 1970s. London Zoo, along with partners around the world, is on a mission to restore the species to the wild by 2030. Major habitat restoration work is already underway on Socorro Island – feral sheep, which drove the dove’s wild extinction, have been removed, and native plants critical to the dove’s survival have been reintroduced.
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
Copywriter: Cris Storey
Design: Suzie Black and Emma Atkinson/ Alliance Creative wildabout@zsl.org
With thanks this issue to: Will Amlot, Nathan Blanchard, Rebecca Blanchard, Kim Carter, Alex Cliffe, Charlotte Cordrey, Gemma Dipple, Catharine Dixon, Emma Edwards, Hannah Fisk, Andrew Fowler, Louise Gibson, Matthew Gould, Jamie Gray, Charlotte Gurden, Lucy Herbert, Charlotte James, Daniel Kane, Aneeshwar Kunchala, Christian Kongte, Laura Laird, Anna McConachie, Kate McDonough, Carolin Pockrandt, Chelsea Reid-Johnson, Natasha Roche, Kate Sanders, Claire Scott, Cris Storey, Yiu Tang, Andrés Valenzuela-Sánchez, May Moe Wah, Alastair Wilkinson.
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!
PRECIOUS CARGO
At the end of last year, we rescued a tiny but extraordinary frog and stopped it from going extinct.
Just over twenty years ago, a deadly fungus called chytrid was discovered to be wiping out whole populations of amphibians. As it has spread, it has become the deadliest pandemic for wildlife in recorded history. It has sent numerous species into oblivion. ZSL has been at the forefront of the conservation world’s response, in our science, our fieldwork and our Zoos.
Last year our scientists discovered that the fungus had reached the small remaining pockets of the Darwin’s frog, a species identified by ZSL Fellow Charles Darwin in the 1830s. Led by ZSL scientist Andrés ValenzuelaSánchez, we planned and mounted a mission to find a small healthy population of Darwin’s frogs to keep safe in London Zoo until a cure is found for chytrid.
The team found 53 healthy frogs and brought them, with exquisite care, halfway around the world back to London Zoo, where we’ll be building up a breeding population to guard against their extinction. We have already had 30 froglets hatch so, with any luck, this remarkable species is now safe for the future.
You can read more about our rescue mission on page 6. And if you haven’t yet seen the fabulous short film we made about the expedition, please watch it on our YouTube channel.
The mission was one of a number of recent steps we have taken to stop evolutionarily distinct species from going extinct. We have mounted missions to secure insurance populations of mountain chicken frogs from Dominica, and Chagossian brain coral, and care for 16 species that are now Extinct in the Wild.
Unfortunately, the prospects in the wild for many of our endangered species are getting worse, not better. Around a similar time as we were rescuing the Darwin’s frog, we received word from Mexico that the boxer pupfish was also on the brink of extinction. At the time we were the only Zoo in the world caring for the pupfish. It is no exaggeration to say that the species could have been lost without the work of our aquarists. (Read more on page 5).
The need to rescue threatened species is going to become more frequent as habitats shrink and climate change puts extra pressure on already stressed animal populations. Without our conservation Zoos, where we have the facilities and expertise to care for these unique species, the Darwin’s frog and the boxer pupfish might have already been lost.
So thank you for supporting us to do this work. Your support is stopping animal species from going extinct. Simple as that.
Thank you.
Matthew Gould CEO, ZSL
SPECIES WHERE ITS THE MALE THAT GETS PREGNANT
THE DARWIN’S FROG IS THE WORLD’S ONLY FROG
COMING SOON!
Whatrolewould you play?
NEWS FROM THE ZOOS AND BEYOND A DAY ON THE TOWN
Get ready for ZooTown, coming to London Zoo this summer
We’re transforming the former Reptile House into a brand-new, immersive play experience for children aged three to eight. In ZooTown, opening this summer, kids will be able to discover their dream roles at London Zoo, from zookeepers and conservationists to scientists and vets. Little ones will be transported to a mini zooniverse where they can run the show, and learn what it takes to protect wildlife.
From the construction zone to the science lab, your children will explore and roleplay their way through interactive adventure and get hands-on with costumes, toys and interactive activities. Highlights include flying around the world to radio track animals in the field camp, carrying out vital health checks in the vet hospital, delivering the zoo mail and getting hands-on in the keeper kitchen.
Each session will last 45 minutes and will be free to Gold Members, Fellows and Patrons (though you’ll still need to book ahead). Keep an eye out for more news and exclusive supporter-only openings!
EARLY OPENINGS FOR ZSL SUPPORTERS
Last year we trialled exclusive early openings for Gold Members, Fellows and Patrons, and lots of you told us you loved it! This year we’re running four early openings throughout the year, on the last Sunday before each school holiday. We hope lots of you can make it to our first early opening of the year, Sunday 6 April, but if you can’t, never fear – we’re also having early openings on 18 May, 20 July and 19 October.
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
London Zoo’s Gorilla Kingdom is getting a makeover this year. The new, larger and more complex space will provide a richer environment for Kiburi, babies Juno and Venus, and the rest of our expanding family of Critically Endangered western lowland gorillas. The changes will include a much larger indoor gym for the troop to enjoy (especially handy on drizzly or chilly days), an expanded outdoor area and a bridge connecting our family’s bedroom to gorilla island.
Not only with Gorilla Kingdom be expanding, but we’ll also be welcoming a new species to the habitat. A group of black crested mangabeys will be coming to share the space with the gorillas. Like gorillas, these are also found in the Congo Basin and we’ll be the first Zoo in the UK to care for them. As well as providing an important space for a second rare species, we’re excited to see the playful and enriching bonds the gorillas and mangabeys develop!
NOT JUST LION AROUND
Whipsnade Zoo is in the midst of feline baby fever following the birth of not one but two litters of lion cubs to mums Waka and Winta over the winter – both fathered by our male lion Malik. The two litters of cubs spent their first weeks suckling and snoozing, but they’re making up for lost time now – look out for the energetic cubs putting our two mums and dad through their paces on your next visit this spring.
Waka, Winta, Malik and their bundle of cubs belong to a rare subspecies called Northern African lions. The majority of surviving Northern African lions now live in W-Arli-Pendjari, a network of national parks and protected areas in northwest Africa. The region is also home to a team of ZSL conservationists, who are restoring habitats to protect these lions and other rare species.
PRECIOUS PUPS
Conservation Zoos are more important than ever. That’s the lesson from the boxer pupfish, who has survived possible extinction thanks to our aquarists!
In late 2024, we received word that the boxer pupfish – a small fish that lives in just one Mexican lake –may have disappeared from the wild altogether. Fortunately the boxer pupfish lives on, thanks to Whipsnade Zoo, where we cared for the world’s only other population of the species.
Since the news, we have sent boxer pupfish eggs (about the size of a grain of sand) to our partners at Bristol Zoo Project, where they have now set up a second population of the precious fish to further guard against their extinction. And more egg moves to other European zoos are planned for 2025.
“Lake Chichancanab was once home to a thriving population of boxer pupfish, as well as several other unique fish species,” explains Alex Cliffe, ZSL’s Assistant Curator of Fish. “However, since the introduction of invasive Mayan cichlids (a large predatory fish that feeds on pupfish) to the lake, the pupfish started to disappear.
“Unique species that only live in a very small habitat, like the boxer pupfish, are particularly at risk of rapid declines when their environment changes or a new threat is introduced. It just shows how important zoos like Whipsnade and London, and the animals we care for, are in guarding against extinction.”
Read more about our work with Extinct in the Wild species at zsl.org/extinctinthewild
AMPHIBIAN ALERT: RESCUE IN SOUTH AMERICA
UScientist Andrés Valenzuela-Sánchez journeyed to Chile to save one of the world’s rarest (and strangest) frogs
nder the emerald canopy of the Valdivian rainforest, on South America’s Chilean coastline, lives a very special frog – the Darwin’s frog. I’ve been studying Darwin’s frogs for over 15 years. It’s exciting to think that they were first collected by Darwin, during his five-year trip around the world in the 1800s.
The Darwin’s frog is unusual because it is the only species of frog where the male gives birth to the froglets – out of his mouth!
After the female has laid her eggs, the male will collect them into his mouth. Not to eat them, but to care for them. The eggs hatch into tadpoles while being collected, and then spend the first part of their lives developing into tiny froglets inside his vocal sac (the pouch that frogs use when they call).
Darwin’s frogs have pointy noses, and similar ‘points’ on their ankles. This helps them look less like a frog (to a predator) and more like a leaf
Froggy rescue mission
In early 2024, we discovered that a deadly plague was wiping out Darwin’s frogs living on the Chilean island of Chiloé – home to the world’s largest remaining population of Darwin’s frogs.
The fungus, known as chytrid, is responsible for the extinction and decline of many amphibian species across the world. It attaches to the frog’s skin, making it difficult for them to breathe and take in nutrients. For many frogs, the disease proves fatal.
With many Darwin’s frogs already lost, and the species on the edge of extinction, we worked with our partners in Chile and Europe to launch
CHILOÉ
Chile
Chiloé is also home to the pudú, the world’s smallest deer, and the Darwin’s fox (also first recorded by Charles Darwin)
A close relative, the northern Darwin’s frog, was last seen in 1981 and could already be extinct
FACT FILE
Southern Darwin’s frog (Rhinoderma darwinii)
Found: Humid forests of southern Chile and Argentina
Size: 1–3cm
New pad
Daniel Kane, Team Leader of Reptiles and Amphibians, explains what it’s like to care for the Darwin’s frog
Threats: Disease and shrinking habitat
Superpower:
Males carry their babies around in their vocal sacs!
a rescue mission. In late 2024, myself and several other scientists journeyed to Chiloé to collect some of the last healthy frogs in the area.
After being swabbed and cleared of chytrid infection, 53 frogs made the long journey by boat, car and eventually plane, back to London Zoo – to be cared for by our team of amphibian experts. These 53 frogs will hopefully breed at London Zoo, ensuring that the species doesn’t go extinct while we work to tackle chytrid.
Darwin’s frogs are one of the most unusual frogs I’ve worked with. It’s frightening to think that the 53 frogs that arrived at London Zoo could all have died from disease if they hadn’t been rescued.
Some of our males arrived from Chile already carrying young, and we’ve had over 30 froglets born at London Zoo since their arrival. You can tell which dads are ‘pregnant’ because their chest looks really full and round (like the one pictured below), and you can even see the tadpoles wiggling around inside their chest.
Darwin’s frogs are very small, which means they require very small food – cricket hatchlings and weevils are two of the insects we feed them. They also like it cold; the Chilean coastline is similar in temperature to the UK. But because they’re from the southern hemisphere, they’ll be enjoying a toasty 20°C in their tanks during our winter, and when it’s summer we’ll drop their temperature down to 5°C. Over time we’ll adjust it, so they’re eventually on
THE OF BRILLIANCE
BUTTERFLIES
Keeper Lucy Herbert lets us in on life in Whipsnade’s Butterfly House – and why it’s a brilliant time to visit
FLOWER-POWERED SUN LOVERS
As spring arrives it brings with it a fluttering, flittering group of animals almost entirely reliant on its flowers. Returning to our landscapes once again, peacock butterflies, red admirals and small whites can be spotted in our gardens and parks as greenery bursts into pink and purple flowers.
Although Whipsnade’s Butterfly House maintains tropical temperatures year-round, its residents are enjoying a springtime boost as it’s planted up in abundance for the season.
“The House is in full bloom,” says Lucy who looks after Whipsnade’s ectotherms – animals that rely on external heat sources to function. “We’ve been filling the habitat with flowers rich in nectar, a delicious sugary source of sustenance for our fluttering residents.”
The winged minibeasts are sun lovers, waking up with its rays and relying on it for heat and energy. “These longer days mean more active butterflies,” explains
next stage of their lifecycle... chrysalises
ABOVE: OWL BUTTTERFLY BELOW: CHRYSALIS AND CATERPILLAR
“These butterflies travel the same route, to the same plants every day, just like a postman. It’s quite amazing to see.”
In the wild their red wing stripes warn predators of their toxicity, a superpower that they gain as caterpillars through a diet of passionflower vines and retain throughout their whole lives. Which, in the case of the postman, is rather a long time.
“People tend to think that butterflies have very short lifespans but, particularly for longwing species like the postman, they can live up to eight months after emerging from their chrysalis.”
Next time you’re at Whipsnade’s Butterfly House can you spot Lucy’s top five butterflies?
LUCY’S TOP SPOTS
My hot tip is to visit between midmorning and midday when they’ve warmed up, had some breakfast and are flying around chasing each other.
2. Blue morpho
4. Postman
1. Owl
WEIRD, WONDERFUL AND OTHERWORLDLY
Butterflies have almost
PRECIOUS JEWELS
The UK is home to 57 species of beautiful butterflies. Munched on by birds, frogs, hedgehogs, bats and more, they serve as an important food source for local wildlife.
And they need every bit of help they can get. Last spring, UK butterfly numbers hit an all-time low, with 80% of species having declined over the last 50 years as a result of habitat loss and pesticide use.
“There’s no better time to make a little room for these mini beasts,”
No Butterfly House experience is complete without a visit to the puparium, a jewel cabinet of glittering pupa.
“We hang up every pupa by hand so that they’re in the best position for the butterflies to emerge,” Lucy explains.
“Look out for the delicate glasswing chrysalises, they’re teeny! About a third the size of the others, they glisten in green, edged with gold.
“But even they aren’t as beautiful as the large tree nymph’s. They’re bright gold with black spots and really something to see.”
Believe it or not, the metallic nature of these chrysalises provide extra camouflage during one of the most vulnerable stages of the butterflies’ lives – when their bodies transform from engorged caterpillars into delicate butterflies, almost entirely breaking down and reforming from a goop. These glittering forms reflect light around them, breaking up their shape and concealing their hanging transformation chambers.
GIVE IT A GROW
Lucy says. “The best and most low effort thing you can do for butterflies is to leave a patch of your garden to grow wild. This encourages different plants to grow and support different insect-life.
“Planting flowers helps too, providing butterflies with a source of nectar. You don’t need to have a garden to make a difference, even a window box can create a little lifeline for these magnificent minibeasts and help preserve them for the future.”
Masters of metamorphosis
What’s the difference?
Old French, meaning ‘shell’
• Made by moths
• Soft and porous
• Spun from silk
• Extra layer of protection
Chrysalis – Greek for ‘gold’
• Created by butterflies
• Hard and smooth
• Made from caterpillar’s shed skin Can be metallic and jewel-like
I came to ZSL because who doesn’t want to protect animals?
I’ve been here for 12 years – but sometimes I still feel new.
ZSL scientist Louise Gibson tells Wild About how she went from catching burglars to fighting wildlife crime
WILD LIFE
I BEGAN MY CAREER...
As a forensic scientist working with the police, testing evidence for DNA. This was most frequently for burglaries and very often on screwdrivers – I’ve tested about a million of them!
I CAME TO ZSL BECAUSE...
Who doesn’t want to protect animals?
I’ve been here for 12 years – but sometimes I still feel new, especially when some people have worked here for 50 years!
TECHNICALLY I’M A...
Molecular biology diagnostician, which is a bit of a mouthful! Essentially I use science and DNA to solve problems, including ways of tackling the illegal wildlife trade. For example, we can use traces of DNA to detect illegal products, like rhino tusks. I also do things like developing AI to identify illegal animal products being smuggled through customs.
YOU’LL USUALLY FIND ME...
In the lab, although I do venture out. The last time I was in the field I was collecting wee under a group of roosting bats in Ghana, trying not to
get peed on. It was hot and sweaty work but we needed the urine to test for a virus – so it was worth it in the name of science.
MY FAVOURITE ANIMAL IS...
The wombat, hands down. They’re fluffy little tanks that do cubed poos. Their burrows are used as shelters by animals to survive bush fires and they twerk predators away with their steely, bony bums – what’s not to love?
I LOVE THAT I GET...
Weird requests every day. Colleagues come to me with questions about DNA and I problem-solve to find the answers. Recently I worked with our Reptile and Amphibian team to develop a technique for finding Chinese giant salamanders in the wild using only the small bits of DNA they leave behind in the water. They’re incredibly hard to spot in the wild because they look like smiling rocks – but with the help of DNA we’ll be able to find out exactly where they live, so we can protect them better.
I SET UP THE ZSL BIOBANK TO...
Keep an archive of important specimens here at ZSL. This includes tiger skins, snake bags and other customs seizures from the illegal wildlife trade. It might sound morbid, but this archive allows students and
scientists to learn and develop new ways to tackle the illegal wildlife trade.
PROBABLY MY STRANGEST MOMENT AT ZSL...
Was finding a giant freezer full of herbivore poo! There was a lot of rhino, elephant and gaur dung that had been kept for research but no longer needed so we set some in resin for visitors to play ‘guess the faeces species’. You never know what you’ll find here!
I’M EXCITED TO BE...
Creating new tools to combat the illegal wildlife trade. We’ve worked hard to discover the most effective, low-cost fingerprinting powders for use on animal skins and shells that don’t require any extra equipment to use. If we can get funding to deploy our fingerprinting kits to rangers, customs officers and border forces, we can make a real difference for threatened wildlife.
THINGS TO DO THIS SEASON
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EASTER CRACKED
LONDON AND WHIPSNADE ZOOS 5 – 21 APRIL
Hop to the Zoos for some eggstra-special fun this holiday. Put aside the mini eggs (temporarily) and meet some of nature’s most magnificent eggmakers. There’s a Zoo-normous Easter egg hunt for families to get their paws on (and a sweet treat for completing the trail), some cracking crafts, and a whole bunch of egg-themed fun and games to bring little ones out of their shells. Last one there’s a rotten egg!
MISTER MAKER
WHIPSNADE ZOO 24 MAY – 1 JUNE
Join the fabulous Mister Maker this May half term and get crafty as a meerkat. Joined by CBeebies friend Rebecca Keatley, the dynamic duo will take to the stage with three performances a day, providing arty fun for all the family. Kids can create their own crafts at the Creature Creation Workshop and there’s even the chance to meet Mister Maker himself during an exclusive meet and greet for Gold Members, Fellows and Patrons.
Performances are free and non-ticketed with seats available on a first come, first served basis.
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3
FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD
LONDON ZOO 24 MAY – 1 JUNE
This May half term, London Zoo will be celebrating all things food and exploring the secret eating habits of the animal kingdom. Discover the pickiest eaters, the midnight munchers and who has the biggest appetite. With fun foodie games and stories, a series of interactive animal kitchens to explore and a teddy bear picnic to join, tuck into this scrumptious celebration of all things edible.
Mister Maker © Zodiak Kids & Family Productions UK Ltd
From a giant troll takeover to visits from Mister Maker, spring heralds big and brilliant things at the Zoos. With Easter celebrations, a food festival at London Zoo and a host of animal appreciation days... get these dates in the diary and get ready to spring into the season with us!
TROLLS: A FIELD STUDY
WHIPSNADE ZOO 21 JUNE – 22 SEPTEMBER
In an exhibition world premiere, this summer everyone’s invited to embark on a gargantuan journey around Whipsnade Zoo, assisting 12 trolls with their very special field study. Discover 12 epic troll sculptures created entirely from recycled materials by artist Thomas Dambo, with kids leading the way to help the trolls discover what makes humans tick. As we help the trolls to learn all about us, they’ll help to remind us of the natural wonders all around us. Expect crafts, laughs, myths and wonder.
4
5
ZOO NIGHTS ARE BACK
LONDON ZOO FRIDAYS, JUNE AND JULY
The animaltastic, adultsonly evenings will once again see London Zoo open its doors during twilight hours. Bathe in the glow of fairy lights and soak up the relaxed atmosphere as you discover fascinating talks, dazzling musicians and the chance to see our amazing animals in a whole new light. Add a mesmerising spread of delicious food and drink from our world food market and you’ve got a real midsummer night’s dream.
SAVE THE DATES
Tear me out and stick me next to your calendar or on the fridge
WAKING UP TO SPRING
LONDON AND WHIPSNADE ZOOS VARIOUS DATES
With a pawsome array of animal appreciation days on the horizon, make sure to keep a beady eye on your emails for upcoming dates and deets. Supporters can collect a special pin badge on these ones: Whipsnade’s bear-illiant celebration welcoming the brown bears back from their winter hibernation on 10-11 May; a fun-filled weekend of feathery festivities for World Parrot Day at London Zoo on 31 May –1 June; and World Camel Day at London Zoo on 21-22 June.
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Photos and artwork by Thomas Dambo
JUMBOA Ne
May Moe Wah, Country Manager for ZSL Thailand, reports on a
very special elephant
If you take a stroll in your local park or woods you might come across small birds, deer, or even a hedgehog (if you’re lucky). Here in Thailand, we share our wild spaces with elephants (not to mention tigers, leopards and bears). In fact, here we have the largest population of Asian elephants in southeast Asia.
Elephants are incredible creatures – intelligent, sensitive and curious – but, like any large wild animal, they can also be dangerous. We want to preserve them, so we work closely with local communities to help them live alongside them better. >
> Elephants are often attracted to the tasty crops humans grow, so we help to train and support teams of Thai volunteers – known as Elephant Rapid Response Units (ERRUs) – to encourage elephants away villages and farms.
Most elephants quickly take the hint, but there are a few cheeky individuals who can’t resist the chance of a free meal, so we get to know them quite well. One such regular is Sarika, a male elephant who is as wild and free-spirited as they come.
Elephant keeper Jamie Gray journeyed to Thailand last year to witness the team in action.
“Even after five years of working with Whipsnade’s elephant herd, it was still a bit of a shock to see Sarika – a young but impressive bull elephant – walking out of the trees towards us. On the occasion I was lucky enough to meet him he was trying to munch his way through a local golf course.
“Seeing the ERRU team in action was incredible – they were careful not to get too close, but worked calmly and efficiently to encourage him back into the forest by creating just enough of a deterrent to the curious elephant. Many of the volunteers in the team had been impacted by elephants themselves, so their dedication to keeping him and other local elephants safely away from people was amazing.”
In fact, Sarika is so determined that he has his own dedicated ERRU of up to five volunteers – the ‘Sarika team’ – who are on call round the clock to encourage him back into the forest when he’s approaches a local village.
Convincing a wild elephant to leave behind free food is no easy task, and some elephants can become angry when asked to leave. But the team uses non-intrusive methods, like spotlights and the sound of motorbikes, to gently guide Sarika back into the forest.
Sarika isn’t just big and bold either – he’s clever too. One of the ways we discourage elephants from entering villages and farmland is by putting up electric fencing, but Sarika has found a way around these. He sidles up to the fence and gives it a flick with his tail, to check if the electricity is on. If not, it’s showtime!
It’s hard not to fall in love with Sarika, even when he is a nuisance.
Zoo From London LESSONS IN
From the power of perfume to wooing with a waltz (or making simple gestures to show you care) we think that humans could learn a thing or two in the art of love from the animal kingdom. London Zoo’s zookeepers nominate some of our most romantic species
THE SCENT OF LOVE
Ring-tailed lemurs know that smell is a powerful tool in the art of seduction. But forget about expensive perfumes – male lemurs carry a secret weapon for attracting a mate up their sleeves. Literally!
“Male lemurs have scent glands in their wrists and shoulders,” explains zookeeper Chelsea Reid-Johnson.
“They pull their tail through both of these glands to create a scent that they waft towards potential female mates.” The technique is known as stink flirting (though we don’t recommend you try it yourselves).
However, their scent glands also have a second purpose.
“Outside of breeding season, males produce a different scent and rub it on their tails. This one has the opposite effect – it’s designed to deter rival males,” says Chelsea. This is known as stink fighting in lemur world (again, not recommended for humans).
“Chemical analysis by scientists suggests that each lemur’s scent is a unique mixture of over 200 chemicals. During breeding season, when they’re trying to attract a mate, the scent becomes much sweeter.” Sadly, the scents aren’t detectable by humans.
Each lemur’s scent is a unique mixture of over 200 chemicals.
Male laughingthrushes dance and sing to the females they’re trying to woo.
ROMANCE BY MOONLIGHT
When everyone else is tucked up in bed, one very special group of underwater animals is taking their cue for romance from the moon.
“Corals use the lunar cycle and water temperature to time when to release their eggs,” explains zookeeper Catharine Dixon. “It is usually around the full moon, and colonies up and down a coral reef all release their eggs in unison. This isn’t just a spectacular sight, it’s a clever tactic. Coral eggs make a tasty meal for lots of aquatic animals, but spawning all at once increases the chances that some eggs will get away.
“Once the eggs are fertilised, they develop into tiny larvas, which can float in the ocean currents for weeks before settling on the seabed. If the conditions are right – no algae, and optimal sunlight and water flow – the larva will attach to the rock or sand where they’ve landed and grow into a coral colony.”
Incredibly, different coral species even know to spawn at different times of the lunar cycle, to avoid accidentally crossbreeding.
Corals use the lunar cycle and water temperature to time when to release their eggs.
The male ostrich starts by chasing away other males, to make sure he’s the star of the show.
GOOD GUYS GET THE GIRL
If you thought cold-blooded meant coldhearted, think again. Chinese giant salamander males know that making simple gestures to show they care goes a long way in love.
“Chinese giant salamander males are big softies when it comes to finding a mate,” says zookeeper Kim Carter. The males take great care in selecting a suitable cave for the female to lay her eggs in. Courtship could even be described as romantic (for a salamander), says Kim. “It involves lots of intertwining, touching heads – which looks a bit like kissing –and knocking bellies together.”
Once the female has laid her eggs it’s also down to dad to guard the nest. “He cares for his offspring by using his tail to fan water over the eggs – which improves oxygen and water flow to the eggs. He even eats unfertilised or bad eggs, to stop them spoiling the healthy eggs.” What a gentleman!
STRICTLY FOR THE BIRDS
You might not know it (from your neighbourhood pigeon), but if there’s one animal group that has dancing down to a fine art, it’s the bird. Many bird species perform courtship dances to attract mates, including the spectacular bluecrowned laughingthrushes (found in the Blackburn Pavilion).
“Male laughingthrushes dance and sing to the females they’re trying to woo,” says zookeeper Charlotte James. “They begin by perching on a branch nearby, before bowing their heads, fanning
the tips of their wings and vibrating their bodies. He also sings a low, calming melody, while making this bowing and fluttering motion.”
It isn’t just small, colourful birds that have the moves either, says Charlotte – ostriches can strut their stuff too.
“The male ostrich starts by chasing away any other males, to make sure he’s the star of the show. Once he’s secured centre stage, he will start to stretch really tall, holding his wings high and back, and tap his toes on the ground.”
GREEN GUARDIANS
Rainforests like the Congo are responsible for much of the oxygen we breathe, the global weather patterns we rely on to grow crops and many of the medicines we use today. But without wildlife, rainforests wouldn’t be able to survive, says conservationist Christian Kongte, from ZSL Cameroon.
Forest elephants
Forest elephants break trees, dig holes and spread seeds in their poo as they travel and feed. This might sound messy, but it’s integral to how rainforests function, opening up new areas for seedlings to grow and smaller animals to live in.
DRIVER ANTS
Driver ants form the world’s largest insect colonies, digging vast underground tunnels. Their efforts help to recycle dead plants and animals into soil, keeping the soil healthy and fertile.
are known as the lungs of the
much carbon in the atmosphere
carbon out of the air and using and roots, trees also help stop
GORILLAS
Gorillas have a huge influence on the plant life in the jungle. They shape the forest structure by creating trails and nesting sites, and plant seeds (in their poo) from their favourite fruit.
HORNBILLS
Hornbills (and other fruit eaters, like bats) travel far and wide, spreading fruit seeds throughout the forest in their poo. In fact, some fruit tree seeds won’t germinate until they’ve been eaten first!
LEOPARDS
Leopards are the jungle’s apex predator. They keep populations of herbivores in check, preventing overgrazing and maintaining balance in the rainforest.
Protecting the Congo’s wildlife
Christian is part of a team of ZSL conservationists working to protect the wildlife in the Congo Rainforest.
“Our focus is on habitat protection and stopping poaching, and we also collaborate with local communities to help them live sustainably alongside the rainforest.
“Inside the rainforest, conditions are typically hot and humid, with thick plant life and a canopy that blocks much of the sunlight from reaching the forest floor. The air is heavy with moisture and the sounds of wildlife are constant, from the calls of birds to the rustling of leaves as animals move through the underbrush.
“The dense vegetation, constant humidity and the presence of wildlife make it a demanding place to work, but every visit reveals something new. Whether it’s a previously unseen plant species, a rare animal sighting, or the intricate relationships between various organisms. The rainforest is a living, breathing entity, and being surrounded by such a rich tapestry of life is both humbling and exhilarating.”
CLEVER CLAWS
Humans might be the smartest animals on the planet, but don’t be fooled into thinking other creatures can’t teach you a thing or two – they’ve come up with some ingenious ways to survive in the wild
At London and Whipsnade Zoos, get ready to meet some of the brainiest animals around (including our zookeepers)! Some of our animals have incredible memories, others make tools to help them, while others are excellent communicators.
Put your own big brain to the test by finding them all in the puzzle below!
C H I M P A N Z E E
A F Z G V P N T B A
T L I M A A N P R S
C P L R T A R T O U
U R R I H P H N W R
I O N P R H E O N I
T P E Z E O O B B B
A L N T J K G B E A
SMARTY ANTS
NOTFOR GROWN UPS!
FEATHER-BRAINED
I hunt at night and have a reputation for being wise, but I actually have a very tiny brain that’s smaller than my eyeball! Can you guess who I am?
Gorilla
Gibbon
Elephant
Chimpanzee
Brown bear
Parrot
Rat
Babirusa
Pig
Wild dog
It isn’t just mammals who hog all the smarts. Ants know that being clever sometimes requires teamwork, working together in colonies to build huge structures. These three ants have got lost, can you help them find their way home and avoid the dangers of the forest floor?
DID DolphinsKNOW?YOUcarryseasponges intheirmouthstoprotect rockstheirnosesfromsharp foodwhentheyhuntfor incoralreefs JOKE
How do bees get to school?
On the school buzz!
HOME
TOP OF THE CLASS
Chimpanzees are one of the world’s smartest animals and love to solve problems (just like humans). In fact, chimpanzees make different tools to help them with life in the jungle. For example, chimpanzees use sticks to ‘fish’ for termites in termite mounds, and even use sticks as spears when hunting. They can use balled up leaves or moss as sponges, to collect water in hard-to-reach places (like a pool of water in a tree trunk), and rocks to break open tough nuts.
Send us a picture of your colourful creation to be in with the chance of winning a one of our chimpanzees 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 July.
He may only be ten years old, but wildlife presenter Aneeshwar has long had a passion for the natural world.
“I was four years old when I really discovered my love of animals,” he explains. “I remember seeing a picture of a whale that had died because of plastic pollution and just feeling so sad.
“I had this strong feeling that people were supposed to help animals and not harm them. I’ve been a conservationist ever since.”
He shares that same passion for animals and their protection on screen, copresenting Aneeshwar and Lizzie Go Wild on CBeebies with fellow presenter and scientist Lizzie Daly. The show sees the duo visit zoos to discover more about animals and their unlikely connections. Aneeshwar filmed at both London and Whipsnade Zoos for the most recent series, but the question is: does he have a favourite of the two?
“All zoos are special in their own way,” he says diplomatically. “But nothing compares to the size and variety of animals at Whipsnade.”
One of his favourite things about the
UK’s largest Zoo is its free roaming animals. “I love seeing the wallabies and maras scampering around enjoying the whole Zoo – visiting the owls and other animals.
“The maras are completely fearless, coming up to you and then speeding off really fast – I like how they look like a mix between a capybara’s head, a rabbit’s ears and a hare’s body.”
Aneeshwar has also found new favourites at the Birds of the World demonstration. “The red-billed hornbills, aka the real life Zazu from the Lion King, are incredible,” he says.
“In the talk, two hornbills demonstrate how the species builds nests in the wild, it’s absolutely fascinating. I also love how they move, taking off vertically into the air and flying practically upside down to catch insects.”
Whipsnade may be Aneeshwar’s winner, but he holds a special place for London Zoo as the location of his favourite filming experience. “We were filming a segment with the gentle lemurs” he says. “They’re meant to be really shy – but one of them came straight up to me and sniffed my trousers!
“It was the first time I’ve experienced an animal really take an interest in me.”
The cute, fluffy lemurs have knocked coatis off the top spot as
“Nothing compares to the size and variety of animals at Whipsnade.”
Aneeshwar’s favourite mammals, but when it comes to fish there’s only one contender... Hans the white blotched river stingray, a resident of Whipsnade’s Aquarium.
“He’s a perfect disc shape with white spots all over him. I love how, right on top of his eyes, he has these jets that push sand out as he moves around.”
Aneeshwar is excited about joining ZSL to support its science-driven conservation work and has big plans to continue working with animals and protecting wildlife throughout his career. “I love going out and exploring, I definitely want to continue working with animals when I get older.
“Even though it can be a risky job going into different wild habitats, it beats sitting around tapping on a computer!”
Watch this space! 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.
some of the rarest creatures (like the pangolin) our curators even get involved in the design, and getting a new soft toy species just right can take up to a year.
Prices and sizes vary to suit every occasion too. Choose from our range of £4 small beans toys (like our mini turtle), right up to £150 for our XXL behemoths, including our six-foot-long chameleon and basking shark.
As well as supporting the care of our animals and conservation, sustainability is at the heart of our soft toys. Every toy is filled with 100% recycled inner stuffing, and even the items we use in transit (from bags and boxes to swing tags) are recyclable.
DON’T FORGET
Gold Members, Fellows and Patrons can grab 10% discount in our shops using code DOVE10
