For two centuries, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) has stood at the forefront of wildlife science, conservation, and public understanding of the natural world. Founded in 1826, ZSL established what became the world’s first scientific zoo, now known as ZSL London Zoo, in Regent’s Park, London. From the very beginning, its founders envisioned an institution devoted not just to displaying animals for popular curiosity but to advancing scientific knowledge about animal biology, behaviour, and the intricate web of life on Earth. This year is London Zoo’s bicentenary, which is more than a milestone in age, it’s a testament to a remarkable journey of scientific discovery, pioneering research, and evolving conservation ethics that have shaped how humans study and protect wildlife. This legacy, illustrated in events like Trailblazers & Pioneers: 200 Years of Wildlife Science, traces the transformation of zoological science from Victorian curiosity cabinets to cutting‑edge conservation biology that tackles species extinction, climate change, disease ecology, and ecosystem restoration.
Isobel Charman opened a window into ZSL’s early years through her research for The Zoo: The Wild and Wonderful Tale of the Founding of London Zoo. Drawing on extensive archival material, she explored the personalities, ambitions and debates that shaped the world’s first scientific zoo. The idea of a Zoological Society was born in the mind of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, a man who spent his formative years working in southeast Asia for the East India Company, even founding Singapore. Charman’s work reveals how London Zoo began not as a public attraction but as a centre for zoological research, and how early discussions about animal welfare, scientific purpose and public access laid the groundwork for the institution ZSL would become. Her perspective emphasised that the pioneering spirit associated with ZSL today has been present since its inception. What began as an ambitious expedition into animal classification became an enduring mission to understand, protect, and restore wildlife globally. The Zoo’s scientific contributions) from captive breeding successes to international conservation strategies (have shaped how humanity perceives and protects the natural world.
The 19th century saw ZSL contributing significantly to natural history and zoological science. Museums and institutions across Europe were building specimen collections and publishing scientific descriptions, but ZSL’s distinct focus on living animals was groundbreaking. Zoological study could now include behaviour, reproductive biology, and physiology in ways that preserved skins and bones could not permit. London Zoo’s work dovetailed with larger scientific shifts. The Victorian era was defined by robust intellectual exchange, marked by Darwin’s theories of evolution and natural selection. Charles Darwin himself was a ZSL Fellow and used the animals at the Zoo to observe variation, adaptation, and animal behaviour, contributing to the intellectual milieu that propelled modern biology. During this period, photography and improved illustration techniques also flourished, enabling scientists to share observations more widely and accurately. ZSL’s collections and archives expanded, forming a resource that would become invaluable for future generations of zoologists and conservationists. Public access to the Zoo (initially restricted) grew, too, making London Zoo one of the first institutions where science, education, and a public audience came together. Visitors could witness animals from distant continents, sparking imagination and a deeper curiosity about biological diversity.
Next was Dr Ben Tapley, someone who I had previously been to see at the Zoo early that day. Ben shifted the focus to modern species conservation, particularly the urgent work required to protect endangered amphibians globally. His research (and that of his team) contributes to understanding the ecological needs of some of the world’s most threatened species, enabling evidence‑based conservation action. He described how global collaboration (especially with EDGE Fellows and conservationists in biodiversity‑rich regions) helps build capacity where it is most needed. His achievements, including the first-ever captive breeding of the Critically Endangered Lake Oku frog and the rescue and successful breeding of Darwin’s frogs after a devastating disease outbreak, demonstrate how targeted ex situ conservation can prevent species from disappearing entirely. Unfortunately, 41% of the >9000 amphibian species are threatened with extinction, yet only receive a fraction of the available conservation funding.
Why is this important? Amphibians are among the most threatened groups of animals on Earth, and their conservation is urgent. Frogs, toads, salamanders, and caecilians play critical ecological roles as both predators and prey, helping to control insect populations and maintain balanced food webs. As their permeable skin absorbs water and chemicals directly from the environment, amphibians are highly sensitive to pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change, making them important ‘indicator species’ that signal the health of ecosystems. When amphibian populations decline, it often reflects deeper environmental problems that can ultimately affect other wildlife and even human communities. Protecting amphibians therefore means protecting freshwater systems, forests, and wetlands that countless species depend upon. The scale of the crisis is stark, habitat loss, emerging diseases such as chytridiomycosis, invasive species, and rising global temperatures have pushed many amphibian species toward extinction. Conservation efforts, including habitat restoration, disease management, captive breeding programs, and stronger environmental protections, are essential to prevent irreversible biodiversity loss. Amphibian conservation also supports broader environmental resilience, as healthy amphibian populations contribute to nutrient cycling and pest control in both natural and agricultural landscapes.
The following talk was given by Professor Heather Koldewey, who reflected on her 32 year career (so far) at ZSL and the evolution of marine conservation during that time. Her talk centred on Project Seahorse, which she co‑founded three decades ago and which has become ZSL’s longest-running marine conservation initiative. She explained how studying seahorses (which are charismatic, unusual and vulnerable) opened the door to addressing much broader issues affecting coastal ecosystems, from destructive fishing practices to the global wildlife trade. The project’s work contributed to major policy changes, including the first global trade protections for marine fishes under CITES, and demonstrated the power of long-term, community‑based conservation. Heather’s wider leadership in ocean science reflects a shift toward interdisciplinary, equity‑focused approaches to protecting marine environments. Seahorses are threatened primarily because of intense human pressure on coastal ecosystems. These small, slow-swimming fish depend on seagrass meadows, mangroves, coral reefs, and estuaries, habitats that are being degraded or destroyed by coastal development, pollution, destructive fishing practices, and climate change.
Bottom trawling, in particular, can devastate seafloor habitats and unintentionally capture seahorses as bycatch. Because seahorses are poor swimmers and rely on camouflage rather than speed to avoid predators, they are especially vulnerable when their habitats are disturbed or removed. As coastal waters warm and acidify, the delicate ecosystems they rely on become even less stable, compounding existing threats. In addition to habitat loss, seahorses face heavy exploitation for international trade. Millions are collected each year for use in traditional medicines, the aquarium trade, and as curios and souvenirs. Their unique appearance and cultural value make them highly sought after, but their biology makes them slow to recover from overharvesting. Many species form monogamous pairs, have small home ranges, and produce relatively few surviving offspring despite the male’s unusual role of carrying developing young. This combination of ecological vulnerability and commercial demand places significant pressure on wild populations, making strong regulation, habitat protection, and sustainable trade practices essential for their survival. This is where Project Seahorse comes in to try to empower local communities and understand the demand for dried seahorses.
Professor Rosie Woodroffe closed the scientific arc of the event by exploring the intersection of wildlife health, disease ecology and human livelihoods. Her research on badger vaccination in Cornwall represents a rare example of a farmer‑led, industry‑delivered wildlife disease intervention, designed to test whether large‑scale vaccination can contribute to bovine tuberculosis eradication without resorting to culling. She also briefly discussed her work in northern Kenya, where she studies African wild dogs and the threats posed by disease-induced extinction. Her research highlights the complexity of conserving species that live alongside people, and the need for solutions that are scientifically robust, socially acceptable and practically achievable. Okay, back to the badgers. Badger culls have been used in parts of England as a strategy to reduce the spread of bovine TB (bTB), a chronic infectious disease of cattle caused by Mycobacterium bovis. The policy, led by the UK Government and implemented through the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), is based on evidence that badgers can act as a wildlife reservoir for the disease and transmit it to cattle. Supporters argue that in areas with high infection rates, reducing badger populations can lower transmission risk and help protect farmers’ livelihoods, as bTB leads to cattle slaughter, trade restrictions, and significant economic losses.
Some field studies have suggested that sustained, coordinated culling over large areas can contribute to a reduction in herd breakdowns. However, badger culling remains highly controversial. Critics question the effectiveness of the policy, pointing to mixed scientific evidence and concerns that disrupting badger social structures may initially increase movement and potentially spread disease further, a phenomenon known as perturbation. Animal welfare groups also raise ethical objections to large-scale wildlife killing, advocating instead for alternatives such as improved cattle testing, tighter biosecurity measures, vaccination of badgers and cattle, and movement controls. In recent years, policy has begun to shift toward greater emphasis on vaccination and long-term disease management strategies, reflecting the ongoing scientific and public debate about how best to control bovine TB while balancing farming needs, wildlife conservation, and ethical considerations. Rosie’s research has shown that working with the farmers to find solutions that work for them, while also considering the badger’s biology work best. At present, the next step is vaccination of badgers and cattle.
Together, the talks painted a picture of ZSL as an organisation that has grown from a Victorian scientific society into a global leader in conservation science. The speakers’ work spans historical scholarship, species recovery, marine policy, and disease ecology, but all share a common thread: the belief that rigorous science, long-term commitment and collaboration are essential to protecting wildlife in a rapidly changing world. After they had finished their lightning fast talks (only 15-20 minutes long each), they convened for a quick Q&A in case the audience had any questions. Many of these were focussed on amphibians, however I asked a question on the early days of ZSL. Unfortunately, Raffles died shortly after the founding of ZSL and so I asked whether Charman felt that those early days were a little rocky in the face of this. Her response was that despite the tragic loss of Raffles, he had helped set everything up with a group of like-minded people to help steer the ship in his absence. That is why 200 years later, we were able to meet to discuss the achievements of everyone associated with ZSL since then.
To mark its bicentenary in 2026, the Zoological Society of London is hosting a year-long celebration known as ZSL200, bringing together science, history, and public engagement across ZSL London Zoo and beyond. Planned events include more talks within the Wild Talks lecture series featuring leading conservationists, special heritage tours exploring the Zoo’s historic architecture and archives, family festivals, interactive exhibitions, and themed evenings celebrating biodiversity and global conservation work. The programme aims not only to reflect on ZSL’s scientific legacy but also to spotlight current research and inspire future generations to support wildlife conservation worldwide. I will be attending more evenings of talks like this in the future, and I hope to see you in attendance too!
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