Twycross Zoo is a leading conservation organization dedicated to preserving wildlife and their habitats. The zoo has developed a six-goal strategy to maximize its impact in the fight against extinction, including supporting ex-situ populations, protecting wild species and habitats, inspiring positive change for wildlife conservation, enhancing the value of zoos for nature and society, caring for UK ecosystems, and becoming environmentally sustainable.
Twycross Zoo’s Conservation Strategy
Twycross Zoo’s conservation strategy aligns with the BIAZA conservation policy and the EAZA conservation standards, contributing to the targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The zoo has contributed over £450,000 towards the work of global conservation organizations in the last 10 years.
Collaborations and Partnerships
Twycross Zoo collaborates with various organizations worldwide, such as:
- Fauna and Flora International
- Ape Action Africa
- Wildlife Vets International
- Friends of Bonobos
- The Association Européenne pour l’Etude et la Conservation des Lémuriens (AEECL)
- Awely
These partnerships allow the zoo to support in-situ conservation projects around the world through financial assistance, skills and expertise sharing, and capacity building.
Endangered Species at Twycross Zoo
Twycross Zoo houses around 500 animals of almost 150 species, including many endangered species. The zoo is renowned as a specialist primate zoo, exhibiting all four types of great ape: gorilla, orangutan, chimpanzee, and bonobo, the latter being the only bonobos in the country.
Primate Collection
Twycross Zoo currently houses:
- 4 orangutans
- 6 gorillas
- 14 chimpanzees
- 14 bonobos
The zoo also has one of the largest collections of gibbons in Europe.
IUCN Conservation Status
37% of Twycross Zoo’s animal collection is classed as near threatened, vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered by the IUCN. Many of the animals at the zoo are part of conservation breeding programs, which help ensure a future for species threatened with extinction.
Twycross Zoo’s Animal Exhibits
The animal exhibits at Twycross Zoo are split into eight zones:
- Conservation Way
- Primates
- Birds
- Mammals
- Monkeys
- Amur Leopards
- Snow Leopards
- Sumatran Tigers, Eastern Black Rhino, and Giraffe Savannah
Twycross Zoo’s New Conservation Strategy (2023-2030)
Twycross Zoo has launched a new Conservation Strategy (2023-2030) to maximize its global conservation impact. The strategy focuses on maintaining healthy populations of endangered species and increasing capacity and funding to support the protection of wild animals and their habitats.
References:
– Twycross Zoo Conservation
– Twycross Zoo on Wikipedia
– Twycross Zoo Launches New Conservation Strategy