Chester Zoo Science
@chesterzoosci.bsky.social
Science and global conservation news from Chester Zoo's Science and Field Programmes departments.
Happy to link up with conservationists, vets, keepers, ecologists, academics and animal-lovers.
Journo requests to r.waller@chesterzoo.org.
Happy to link up with conservationists, vets, keepers, ecologists, academics and animal-lovers.
Journo requests to r.waller@chesterzoo.org.
Today's mood: inquisitive
(Pic: Javan green magpie. Status: Critically Endangered. Chester Zoo is part of an international breeding program and supports in-field action to save the species)
🌏🪶
(Pic: Javan green magpie. Status: Critically Endangered. Chester Zoo is part of an international breeding program and supports in-field action to save the species)
🌏🪶
November 20, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Today's mood: inquisitive
(Pic: Javan green magpie. Status: Critically Endangered. Chester Zoo is part of an international breeding program and supports in-field action to save the species)
🌏🪶
(Pic: Javan green magpie. Status: Critically Endangered. Chester Zoo is part of an international breeding program and supports in-field action to save the species)
🌏🪶
November 19, 2025 at 5:53 PM
The wildlife tunnels are a huge victory for wildlife and the drivers using this road.
This is just the beginning; ten more tunnels, 85km of fencing and seven bridges are yet to be built, and ICAS and Chester Zoo want this to be a roadmap for preventing vehicle-animal collisions across Brazil.
🐜4/6
This is just the beginning; ten more tunnels, 85km of fencing and seven bridges are yet to be built, and ICAS and Chester Zoo want this to be a roadmap for preventing vehicle-animal collisions across Brazil.
🐜4/6
November 19, 2025 at 5:52 PM
The wildlife tunnels are a huge victory for wildlife and the drivers using this road.
This is just the beginning; ten more tunnels, 85km of fencing and seven bridges are yet to be built, and ICAS and Chester Zoo want this to be a roadmap for preventing vehicle-animal collisions across Brazil.
🐜4/6
This is just the beginning; ten more tunnels, 85km of fencing and seven bridges are yet to be built, and ICAS and Chester Zoo want this to be a roadmap for preventing vehicle-animal collisions across Brazil.
🐜4/6
... and support @icaswild.bsky.social as they develop more effective anti-collision signage.
This is necessary because giant anteaters move to find new territories. Lives are put at risk when these large animals encounter high-speed traffic.
🐜3/6
This is necessary because giant anteaters move to find new territories. Lives are put at risk when these large animals encounter high-speed traffic.
🐜3/6
November 19, 2025 at 5:51 PM
... and support @icaswild.bsky.social as they develop more effective anti-collision signage.
This is necessary because giant anteaters move to find new territories. Lives are put at risk when these large animals encounter high-speed traffic.
🐜3/6
This is necessary because giant anteaters move to find new territories. Lives are put at risk when these large animals encounter high-speed traffic.
🐜3/6
Now tunnels are being built beneath the highway to protect giant anteaters and other species!
Our partners at the Wild Animal Conservation Institute (ICAS) are among the organisations who called for wildlife tunnels in the Pantanal region. We help ICAS protect and monitor giant anteaters...
🐜2/6
Our partners at the Wild Animal Conservation Institute (ICAS) are among the organisations who called for wildlife tunnels in the Pantanal region. We help ICAS protect and monitor giant anteaters...
🐜2/6
November 19, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Now tunnels are being built beneath the highway to protect giant anteaters and other species!
Our partners at the Wild Animal Conservation Institute (ICAS) are among the organisations who called for wildlife tunnels in the Pantanal region. We help ICAS protect and monitor giant anteaters...
🐜2/6
Our partners at the Wild Animal Conservation Institute (ICAS) are among the organisations who called for wildlife tunnels in the Pantanal region. We help ICAS protect and monitor giant anteaters...
🐜2/6
Great news this World Anteater Day (November 19th)!
A few years ago, a stretch of road in Brazil was dubbed the “Highway of Death”. One of the most dangerous roads in South America for drivers, it also claimed countless animal lives
(Picture courtesy of ICAS)
🐜1/6
🌎🦇
A few years ago, a stretch of road in Brazil was dubbed the “Highway of Death”. One of the most dangerous roads in South America for drivers, it also claimed countless animal lives
(Picture courtesy of ICAS)
🐜1/6
🌎🦇
November 19, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Great news this World Anteater Day (November 19th)!
A few years ago, a stretch of road in Brazil was dubbed the “Highway of Death”. One of the most dangerous roads in South America for drivers, it also claimed countless animal lives
(Picture courtesy of ICAS)
🐜1/6
🌎🦇
A few years ago, a stretch of road in Brazil was dubbed the “Highway of Death”. One of the most dangerous roads in South America for drivers, it also claimed countless animal lives
(Picture courtesy of ICAS)
🐜1/6
🌎🦇
There are fewer snow leopard cubs (though more than zero) and more science stories here - but there's still a good chance of seeing a cute animal. 🙂
October 30, 2025 at 9:26 AM
There are fewer snow leopard cubs (though more than zero) and more science stories here - but there's still a good chance of seeing a cute animal. 🙂
🌿Chester Zoo is helping shape the future of conservation:🌿
Following a whirlwind week in Abu Dhabi, Chester Zoo experts reflect on their time at the IUCN World Conservation Congress – perhaps the most significant event in the conservation calendar:
www.chesterzoo.org/news/chester...
🌍🌏🌎
Following a whirlwind week in Abu Dhabi, Chester Zoo experts reflect on their time at the IUCN World Conservation Congress – perhaps the most significant event in the conservation calendar:
www.chesterzoo.org/news/chester...
🌍🌏🌎
October 23, 2025 at 10:37 AM
🌿Chester Zoo is helping shape the future of conservation:🌿
Following a whirlwind week in Abu Dhabi, Chester Zoo experts reflect on their time at the IUCN World Conservation Congress – perhaps the most significant event in the conservation calendar:
www.chesterzoo.org/news/chester...
🌍🌏🌎
Following a whirlwind week in Abu Dhabi, Chester Zoo experts reflect on their time at the IUCN World Conservation Congress – perhaps the most significant event in the conservation calendar:
www.chesterzoo.org/news/chester...
🌍🌏🌎
Today's mood.
(Image courtesy of the Snow Leopard Trust, whose work we support in Kyrgyzstan)
(Image courtesy of the Snow Leopard Trust, whose work we support in Kyrgyzstan)
October 22, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Today's mood.
(Image courtesy of the Snow Leopard Trust, whose work we support in Kyrgyzstan)
(Image courtesy of the Snow Leopard Trust, whose work we support in Kyrgyzstan)
🐒 Chester Zoo, with the help of generous funding partners, has been among the organisations supporting HUTAN's vital research and conservation work over the last 20 years.
🌴4/6
🌴4/6
October 17, 2025 at 9:06 AM
🐒 Chester Zoo, with the help of generous funding partners, has been among the organisations supporting HUTAN's vital research and conservation work over the last 20 years.
🌴4/6
🌴4/6
Biodiversity win alert! 🙌
Huge congratulations to our conservation partners in Malaysia, HUTAN, who have secured a massive conservation win alongside their local partners, the Sabah Biodiversity Council, and the State government.
🌴1/6
Huge congratulations to our conservation partners in Malaysia, HUTAN, who have secured a massive conservation win alongside their local partners, the Sabah Biodiversity Council, and the State government.
🌴1/6
October 17, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Biodiversity win alert! 🙌
Huge congratulations to our conservation partners in Malaysia, HUTAN, who have secured a massive conservation win alongside their local partners, the Sabah Biodiversity Council, and the State government.
🌴1/6
Huge congratulations to our conservation partners in Malaysia, HUTAN, who have secured a massive conservation win alongside their local partners, the Sabah Biodiversity Council, and the State government.
🌴1/6
Today's mood:
(Pictured: Rheocles, an endemic Malagasy freshwater fish, during a fish count our Field team helped conduct)
🌍🦇
(Pictured: Rheocles, an endemic Malagasy freshwater fish, during a fish count our Field team helped conduct)
🌍🦇
October 16, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Today's mood:
(Pictured: Rheocles, an endemic Malagasy freshwater fish, during a fish count our Field team helped conduct)
🌍🦇
(Pictured: Rheocles, an endemic Malagasy freshwater fish, during a fish count our Field team helped conduct)
🌍🦇
Chester Zoo, @thetorontozoo.bsky.social and DublinZoo just announced a major partnership to advance conservation cryopreservation, which may be key to preserving the precious genetic diversity of threatened species.
Zoo representatives met at #iucncongress2025 to mark the agreement.
❄️1/2
Zoo representatives met at #iucncongress2025 to mark the agreement.
❄️1/2
October 13, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Chester Zoo, @thetorontozoo.bsky.social and DublinZoo just announced a major partnership to advance conservation cryopreservation, which may be key to preserving the precious genetic diversity of threatened species.
Zoo representatives met at #iucncongress2025 to mark the agreement.
❄️1/2
Zoo representatives met at #iucncongress2025 to mark the agreement.
❄️1/2
Our fossa pup health check has gone viral! 🥹
By the way, did you know we work with Malagasy partners to protect fossa forests in the wild?
Find out more (and consider donating) here: chesterzoo.org/madagascar
#fossa #fossalove #toebeans
By the way, did you know we work with Malagasy partners to protect fossa forests in the wild?
Find out more (and consider donating) here: chesterzoo.org/madagascar
#fossa #fossalove #toebeans
October 9, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Our fossa pup health check has gone viral! 🥹
By the way, did you know we work with Malagasy partners to protect fossa forests in the wild?
Find out more (and consider donating) here: chesterzoo.org/madagascar
#fossa #fossalove #toebeans
By the way, did you know we work with Malagasy partners to protect fossa forests in the wild?
Find out more (and consider donating) here: chesterzoo.org/madagascar
#fossa #fossalove #toebeans
...to highlight the critical role zoos play in protecting animals, plants, and habitats.
iucncongress2025.org
🤝 Meet us at booth 135 in the Exhibition Hall from 12:00 on 9 October to 18:00 on 13 October. We'd love to connect!
🌏2/2 #IUCNcongress #IUCN2025
iucncongress2025.org
🤝 Meet us at booth 135 in the Exhibition Hall from 12:00 on 9 October to 18:00 on 13 October. We'd love to connect!
🌏2/2 #IUCNcongress #IUCN2025
October 7, 2025 at 8:56 AM
...to highlight the critical role zoos play in protecting animals, plants, and habitats.
iucncongress2025.org
🤝 Meet us at booth 135 in the Exhibition Hall from 12:00 on 9 October to 18:00 on 13 October. We'd love to connect!
🌏2/2 #IUCNcongress #IUCN2025
iucncongress2025.org
🤝 Meet us at booth 135 in the Exhibition Hall from 12:00 on 9 October to 18:00 on 13 October. We'd love to connect!
🌏2/2 #IUCNcongress #IUCN2025
🌍 We're heading to Abu Dhabi for the IUCN World Conservation Congress - one of the most significant events in global conservation.
From 9-15 October, key representatives from our education, science, and policy teams will be there...
🌏1/2
#IUCNcongress #IUCN2025
From 9-15 October, key representatives from our education, science, and policy teams will be there...
🌏1/2
#IUCNcongress #IUCN2025
October 7, 2025 at 8:56 AM
🌍 We're heading to Abu Dhabi for the IUCN World Conservation Congress - one of the most significant events in global conservation.
From 9-15 October, key representatives from our education, science, and policy teams will be there...
🌏1/2
#IUCNcongress #IUCN2025
From 9-15 October, key representatives from our education, science, and policy teams will be there...
🌏1/2
#IUCNcongress #IUCN2025
Today's mood:
October 1, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Today's mood:
Appsolutely amazing: Our PalmOil Scan App, which launched in 2022, has reached a massive landmark: more than 50,000 products are now listed in its UK database.
Shoppers can download the free app and use it to scan barcodes while they shop.
Good for orangutans, good for shoppers!
🌴 1/3
Shoppers can download the free app and use it to scan barcodes while they shop.
Good for orangutans, good for shoppers!
🌴 1/3
September 29, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Appsolutely amazing: Our PalmOil Scan App, which launched in 2022, has reached a massive landmark: more than 50,000 products are now listed in its UK database.
Shoppers can download the free app and use it to scan barcodes while they shop.
Good for orangutans, good for shoppers!
🌴 1/3
Shoppers can download the free app and use it to scan barcodes while they shop.
Good for orangutans, good for shoppers!
🌴 1/3
An update to the Zoo Sphere of Influence model was recently published in the Biological Conservation journal (tinyurl.com/zoosphere)
This model, first conceived in 2023, originally set out to replace the 50-year-old perception of zoos and aquariums...
🌎1/4
This model, first conceived in 2023, originally set out to replace the 50-year-old perception of zoos and aquariums...
🌎1/4
September 25, 2025 at 8:28 AM
An update to the Zoo Sphere of Influence model was recently published in the Biological Conservation journal (tinyurl.com/zoosphere)
This model, first conceived in 2023, originally set out to replace the 50-year-old perception of zoos and aquariums...
🌎1/4
This model, first conceived in 2023, originally set out to replace the 50-year-old perception of zoos and aquariums...
🌎1/4
Calling all zoo professionals: we are running a global survey of zoo and aquarium visitors to better understand nature connection and wellbeing outcomes to visits - and we want you to be involved!
Info: linktr.ee/bridget_sci
#science #research
🦇🧪🌍🌏🌎🧪🦇
Info: linktr.ee/bridget_sci
#science #research
🦇🧪🌍🌏🌎🧪🦇
September 22, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Calling all zoo professionals: we are running a global survey of zoo and aquarium visitors to better understand nature connection and wellbeing outcomes to visits - and we want you to be involved!
Info: linktr.ee/bridget_sci
#science #research
🦇🧪🌍🌏🌎🧪🦇
Info: linktr.ee/bridget_sci
#science #research
🦇🧪🌍🌏🌎🧪🦇
September 16, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Friday spotlight: Cactus conservation.
We're collaborating on an action plan to protect highly threatened Copiapoa cacti in the Atacama desert.
Find out more here: www.chesterzoo.org/news/a-plan-...
🌵 🌎
We're collaborating on an action plan to protect highly threatened Copiapoa cacti in the Atacama desert.
Find out more here: www.chesterzoo.org/news/a-plan-...
🌵 🌎
August 29, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Friday spotlight: Cactus conservation.
We're collaborating on an action plan to protect highly threatened Copiapoa cacti in the Atacama desert.
Find out more here: www.chesterzoo.org/news/a-plan-...
🌵 🌎
We're collaborating on an action plan to protect highly threatened Copiapoa cacti in the Atacama desert.
Find out more here: www.chesterzoo.org/news/a-plan-...
🌵 🌎
This is a very precious handful!
Socorro doves are one of five #birds listed as extinct in the wild. The entire surviving population of roughly 200 birds are all in the care of avian experts.
Eight chicks hatched at Chester Zoo this summer. It's a big boost for this incredibly rare species!
🌎🦇🐦
Socorro doves are one of five #birds listed as extinct in the wild. The entire surviving population of roughly 200 birds are all in the care of avian experts.
Eight chicks hatched at Chester Zoo this summer. It's a big boost for this incredibly rare species!
🌎🦇🐦
August 26, 2025 at 2:05 PM
This is a very precious handful!
Socorro doves are one of five #birds listed as extinct in the wild. The entire surviving population of roughly 200 birds are all in the care of avian experts.
Eight chicks hatched at Chester Zoo this summer. It's a big boost for this incredibly rare species!
🌎🦇🐦
Socorro doves are one of five #birds listed as extinct in the wild. The entire surviving population of roughly 200 birds are all in the care of avian experts.
Eight chicks hatched at Chester Zoo this summer. It's a big boost for this incredibly rare species!
🌎🦇🐦
#birdoftheday: owl
The Estate Biodiversity Team are celebrating a barn owl bonanza! We have three confirmed breeding pairs over a 1.5km area, with 11 chicks ringed.
Four were weighed, measured and ringed today (Friday) by Jimmi, a licensed ringer from Raptor Aid, so we can ID them in future.
🌍🧪🦇
The Estate Biodiversity Team are celebrating a barn owl bonanza! We have three confirmed breeding pairs over a 1.5km area, with 11 chicks ringed.
Four were weighed, measured and ringed today (Friday) by Jimmi, a licensed ringer from Raptor Aid, so we can ID them in future.
🌍🧪🦇
August 22, 2025 at 4:14 PM
#birdoftheday: owl
The Estate Biodiversity Team are celebrating a barn owl bonanza! We have three confirmed breeding pairs over a 1.5km area, with 11 chicks ringed.
Four were weighed, measured and ringed today (Friday) by Jimmi, a licensed ringer from Raptor Aid, so we can ID them in future.
🌍🧪🦇
The Estate Biodiversity Team are celebrating a barn owl bonanza! We have three confirmed breeding pairs over a 1.5km area, with 11 chicks ringed.
Four were weighed, measured and ringed today (Friday) by Jimmi, a licensed ringer from Raptor Aid, so we can ID them in future.
🌍🧪🦇