Cryopreservation of Threatened Species for Conservation

May 24, 2022

A team of scientists from Chester Zoo and experts on animal reproduction have founded Nature's SAFE: one of the largest living biobanks in Europe. Tissue samples are cryogenically frozen and stored, so they can be used to generate sperm and eggs in the future, aiding conservation efforts. They already have stored multiple cell types from over 100 threatened species, with dozens of contributions from Chester Zoo itself!

First Scottish Wildcat Kittens Born at Breeding Centre

May 20, 2022

The first Scottish wildcat kittens were born at the breeding centre for the species, based at Highland Wildlife Park (Royal Zoological Society of Scotland). Eight kittens across three litters have been born so far, but more are expected... These will likely be among the first wildcats to be reintroduced in Scotland in the near future! 

Iberian Lynx Cubs Born at Zoobotánico Jerez

May 16, 2022

Three Iberian lynx cubs were born at Zoobotánico Jerez,  part of the ex situ programme for the species. The cubs were born to a 13-year old female named Fárfara, who is in an off-show area, and can only be seen by the public via video-surveillance. This endangered species was on the brink of extinction not so long ago, but made a comeback thanks to integrated in situ and ex situ conservation efforts.

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Even though the Iberian lynx can be found in a few zoos in Portugal, Spain & France, only Zoobotánico Jerez is part of the breeding & reintroduction programme. The others house non-breeding animals that are not fit to be reintroduced or to be part of the breeding programme, releasing space from the breeding centres and working as ambassadors for the species.

Critically Endangered Red Wolf Pups Born at NC Zoo

May 13, 2022

Three red wolf pups were born at North Carolina Zoo. The red wolf is Critically Endangered and the ex situ population play a fundamental role in the conservation programme for this species. 

Zoo-Bred European Pond Turtles Reintroduced Into the Wild

April 28, 2022

The Parc zoologique et botanique de Mulhouse released nine zoo-bred European pond turtles into the wild, part of the CNRS-led conservation programme for the species, which involves several European countries.