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Zoological Society of London Scientific Talks 2017
If you want to go beyond the headlines about conservation, ZSL (the Zoological Society of London) are holding a fascinating series of scientific events in 2017.
ZSL’s experts will be joined by guest speakers from across the globe to debate some of the most pressing issues facing the natural world.
Science Behind the Scenes: CSI of the Sea: pollutants in our seas
Tuesday 10 January 2017, 6.30pm – 8pm
Tickets cost £5
ZSL is inviting the public to go behind the scenes of a stranded harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) post-mortem examination. Live-streamed from the lab to the lecture hall, with commentary and Q&A from the team’s lead pathologist, the evening will shine a light on the work of the UK’s Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP); the team who investigate the causes of marine mammal stranding to determine what can be done to protect these species and inform future conservation action.
Saving pangolins: Earth’s most trafficked wild mammals
Tuesday 21 February 2017, 6pm – 7.45pm
Free event
Pangolins, or ‘scaly anteaters’ are the most poached and trafficked wild mammals in the world. Despite more pangolins having been removed from the wild over the past decade than elephants, rhinoceros and tigers combined, pangolins have, until recently, been the forgotten victims of the illegal wildlife trade.
At this event a panel of conservation experts and pangolin specialists from across the world will discuss how we can turn the tide for this unique species, and ensure that it isn’t pushed over the brink to extinction.
Immigrants to the rescue! How can immigration help to save threatened wildlife populations?
Tuesday 14 March 2017, 6pm – 7.45pm
Free event
Small populations of threatened species the world over can be particularly vulnerable to random events such as natural disasters or disease outbreaks, as well as the risks of inbreeding. One potential solution is to introduce external unrelated individuals (or ‘immigrants’) into these populations to increase genetic diversity – a form of ‘genetic rescue’. And yet, despite the promise of this solution, there has been very little uptake in the process.
This panel discussion will explore the hurdles that genetic rescue presents, why there are fewer than 20 published studies of its use, and how it could help conserve species across the animal kingdom.
Conserving the mountain chicken frog: the impact of chytridiomycosis under scrutiny
Tuesday 11 April 2017, 6pm – 7.45pm
Free event
As the chytrid fungus continues to devastate amphibian populations worldwide, the mountain chicken frog in the Caribbean has provided researchers a unique opportunity to gain further understanding of the disease. Since the emergence of the fungus on the islands of Montserrat and Dominica in the 2000s, the species has seen one of the fastest species declines ever recorded, but has provided the opportunity for the disease to be studied in real time.
This event will explore the work of the Mountain Chicken Recovery Programme, a world-leading consortium including ZSL scientists, that is devoted to understanding how to mitigate the impact of the chytrid fungus by using the mountain chicken frog case study as a model.
Wildlife of the West African Savannah: unfamiliar and under threat
Tuesday 9 May 2017, 6pm – 7.45pm
Free event
From elephants and lions to giraffes, cheetah and wild dogs, the wildlife of the West African savannah is iconic – and facing the real threat of extinction. Historically this region was renowned for its wildlife and teemed with the large fauna that is more typically associated with East and Southern Africa, but these species which once roamed huge areas are now restricted to isolated pockets of habitat and face mounting threats to their survival, from poaching to habitat loss.
Celebrating the incredible biodiversity of the region, this event will explore how conservationists are working to protect this wildlife for future generations.
The state of the Thames
Tuesday 11 July 2017, 6pm – 7.45pm
Free event
Dive beneath the waters of London’s iconic river at this event to discover the diverse world of wildlife that call the river and its estuary home. Estuaries are one of the world’s most productive ecosystems, and the Thames is no exception.
From seahorses and smelt to eels and seals, this evening will explore how far the Thames has come since being declared ‘biologically dead’ in the 1950s, as well as how conservationists are working to help it thrive.
All events are held in the Huxley Lecture Theatre, Main Meeting Rooms, ZSL London Zoo, NW1 4RY.
Doors open an hour before the start time of the event, with seats allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis.
If you would like further information or book tickets, visit the ZSL website here
London Visitors is the official blog for the Visiting London Guide .com website. The website was developed to bring practical advice and latest up to date news and reviews of events in London.
Since our launch in 2014, we have attracted thousands of readers each month, the site is constantly updated.
We have sections on Museums and Art Galleries, Transport, Food and Drink, Places to Stay, Security, Music, Sport, Books and many more.
There are also hundreds of links to interesting articles on our blog.
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A Short Guide to London Zoo
London Zoo was officially open in 1828 as the world’s first scientific zoo, when it was opened it was only intended for scientific study and was only open to fellows of the Zoological Society of London. It was not opened to the public until 1847.
Located near to Regent’s Park, the grounds of London Zoo were designed by Decimus Burton and included a number of features including the Clock Tower, the Giraffe House and the East Tunnel that links the north and south parts of the zoo together. Later other architectural features were built including the mountain landscape of the Mappin Terraces in 1914, the Round House in 1933, The Penguin Pool in 1934 and the Snowdon Aviary in 1964.
As well as the scientific interest the first 150 years of the Zoo was more about education and entertainment, many animals had never been seen live in the United Kingdom. A hippopotamus caused great interest when it arrived in 1850 as did Jumbo, the largest Elephant in captivity at the time. Guy the gorilla arrived at the Zoo in 1947 and was a great favourite up till his death in 1978. More recently, Chi Chi the giant panda’s arrival in 1958 made her into a star attraction.
The large number of animals kept at the Zoo especially the large animals in small spaces began to be a source of concern as the general public’s attitude to Zoos began to change. In the 1980s and 90s, dwindling number of visitors led to financial problems and the threat of closure. The decision was made by the Zoological Society of London which runs the Zoo to concentrate more on conservation and breeding programmes and to have fewer animals and begin to build environments that was more suitable for the animals that lived in them.
Land of the Lions is the latest new enclosure for London Zoo’s Asiatic lions, which opened in Spring 2016. The enclosure is designed to resemble the Gir Forest National Park in India. Other enclosures include Tiger Territory , Gorilla Kingdom, Into Africa, Rainforest Life and The Outback located on the Mappin Terraces.
Other highlights of the Zoo include the Aquarium, Animal Adventure for children, the Reptile House , B.U.G.S, Penguin Beach , In with the Lemurs, Meet the Monkeys and Butterfly Paradise.
The Zoo runs a series of events throughout the year including opportunities to stay in London Zoo overnight.
Ticket Prices
Adults – £24.25
Children (3-15 years) – £17.60
Children under 3 years – Free
For more information and tickets, visit the London Zoo website here
London Visitors is the official blog for the Visiting London Guide .com website. The website was developed to bring practical advice and latest up to date news and reviews of events in London.
Since our launch in 2014 , we have attracted thousands of readers each month, the site is constantly updated.
We have sections on Museums and Art Galleries, Transport, Food and Drink, Places to Stay, Security, Music, Sport, Books and many more.
There are also hundreds of links to interesting articles on our blog.
To find out more visit the website here
London Visitors 