Wildlife Conservation Day: What is RZSS doing to help?

Every year on Wildlife Conservation Day, we’re reminded that protecting nature is not something you can just talk about. It’s something that requires attention, dedication and action from every one of us.  

At the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), we are committed to building a world where nature is protected, valued and loved. To achieve our goals, we have three pillars that guide us and we wanted to take this opportunity to update on their progress.  

Reverse the decline of at least 50 species

We are aiming to reverse the decline of at least 50 species by 2030. When we launched our strategy, we knew it was a tough target. But it’s key for safeguarding biodiversity both in Scotland and around the world.  

So far, RZSS is working on 31 conservation projects. Our involvement with some goes back decades, like Uganda’s Budongo Conservation Field Station. Others are relatively new, such as the pine marten, Northern muriqui and caracal. All of our projects rely on strong relationships with partners and communities worldwide, as well as advanced conservation science.

RZSS’s role in these projects varies. For some, like the scimitar-horned oryx, our WildGenes lab provides genetic support, helping to maximise genetic diversity in released populations. For others, we breed the species to support releases into the wild, as with the pine hoverfly.  

One of our most loved and well-known projects is Saving Wildcats, based at Highland Wildlife Park, where RZSS acts as lead partner. The wildcat is one of the UK’s most endangered mammals. Decades of habitat loss, persecution and hybridisation with domestic cats pushed this species to the point of extinction. Through genetics-led breeding, veterinary care, research and carefully managed and monitored releases into the Cairngorms National Park, the Saving Wildcats team is giving wildcats a fighting chance of recovery.  

Create stronger connections with nature for more than a million people

We want people to feel a personal connection to the natural world, whether that’s through a special moment watching animals at Edinburgh Zoo or Highland Wildlife Park, or experiencing wildlife through education programmes and outreach.

Breaking down barriers to our members and visitors through accessible ticketing, school programmes, community partnerships and welcoming guide dogs on site helps ensure as many people as possible can enjoy our spaces. When everyone can access our spaces, we can all learn to love and understanding nature. And with this comes the power to protect it. 

Enabling more than 100 communities to better protect nature

Creating lasting change means building strong communities who have the skills, resources and confidence to protect the natural world.  

We’ve advocated publicly for change with our calls for DEFRA to address legislation stopping endangered animals like rhinos, giraffes and bison from participating in vital breeding programmes. Simialrly, we’ve supported called for greater firework controls, including the introduction of control zones and a ban on public sale.  

With Scotland’s Wildlife Discovery Centre and expanded volunteering opportunities, we’re helping communities feel equipped and inspired to make a difference for wildlife.  We’ve welcomed Young Carers to the zoo, reached sick children through both in-person outreach and virtual visits, and shared powerful stories of animal conservation and veterinary care to inform and inspire people of all ages to love and protect nature.