Have you ever wondered how zoos can help with conservation efforts around the world? At Tilgate zoo we can help animals directly in their natural environment by gathering information, captive breeding and educating the public on the plights of various species in the wild.
The day-to-day care of our animals is helping conservation efforts across the globe. Despite there being volumes of data on humans, there is surprisingly little on most other species. This knowledge gap affects the work of scientists and conservationists who need enough data to make informed decisions. For example, predicting when a species is at risk and how best to strengthen its numbers, requires knowing at what age females reproduce, how many hatchlings or juveniles survive to adolescence, and how long adults live.
We are helping to fill that gap with information on the species we look after. We contribute in-depth, consistent records on our animals, such as weight, age, health and fertility, to the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) – the largest database on wildlife in human care.
We are actively involved with several breeding programmes. This includes breeding some animals here at the zoo, such as naked mole rates and radiated tortoises, and supporting projects which undertake reintroductions into the wild to help with species recovery, including harvest mice and Scottish wildcats. We are also involved in the responsible exchange of animals for breeding at other zoos including Brazilian tapir, grey hornbill and marbled teal.
Radiated tortoises
Our radiated tortoises are part of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP). They have recently reached sexual maturity so it is hoped that they will soon lay some viable eggs.
Naked mole rats
We have had a lot of success breeding and rearing naked mole rats. This has led to us being part of a research project on the species, with keeper Billie giving talks to various groups and other zoos about their care and welfare.
Harvest mice
We are a partner of the BIAZA Harvest Mouse Focus Group and we have had a breeding colony of harvest mice for many years. We are also planning a three year survey of the habitats in Tilgate Park to establish whether it is a suitable release site.
Scottish wildcats
Our two Scottish wildcats are part of the official captive population that supplies the Saving Wildcats release programme in Scotland. They have the potential to join the formal breeding programme in the future and by living with us in the meantime, space is freed up in other facilities for breeding. Our wildcats are also ambassadors for the species, helping us raise awareness of the species’ plight.
Educating our visitors on conservation is one of our greatest strengths. Conservation messaging is at the heart of our education sessions for schools and other groups. We also offer a specific conservation session which examines issues including climate change, ocean plastic pollution, the exotic pet trade, deforestation, animal trafficking, poaching and trophy hunting.
As well as offering classroom workshops, we deliver public talks, feeds and displays in which we talk about the conservation of our animals in the wild and give ideas on how we can all help with conservation and the environment.
We also aim to raise awareness with ambassador species such as our Scottish wildcats. To help support native species conservation and the Saving Wildcats charity, we ran our first Scottish wildcat conservation fundraiser in August 2024 which not only raised funds for the charity but also educated many visitors on the plight of the Scottish wildcat and provided a fun and informative day out for many families.
