Conservation

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is a wildlife conservation charity with a bold vision: a world where nature is protected, valued and loved.

Our mission is to save wildlife and empower people in Scotland and around the world to protect, value and love nature.

Giraffes in Uganda wild

IMAGE: Sarah Robinson 2017

Animal welfare and conservation is at the heart of what we do

By 2030 RZSS will reverse the decline of at least 50 species – from pine hoverflies and wildcats in the Cairngorms National Park to giraffes in Uganda, giant anteaters in Brazil and many more. This document outlines how we will evidence the species recovery process.

Our work with beavers, pine hoverflies and wildcats is just the beginning for native wildlife, and our longstanding collaboration with the Budongo Conservation Field Station in Uganda is a prime example of our global conservation work.

In our conservation genetics lab, RZSS WildGenes, our team of experts use genetic data to generate conservation action for threatened species across the globe. By working collaboratively and sharing valuable genetic tools and data, we aim to provide long-term conservation management.

Places and species we work with

Our work

Three Dama gazelle in the wild 

IMAGE: Pixabay

RZSS WildGenes

At RZSS WildGenes we conduct cutting-edge conservation genetic and genomic research on a large range of threatened species.

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Murchison giraffe in the wild 

IMAGE: JP 2017

Saving wild species

We are at the forefront of species conservation in Scotland and collaborate with partners on projects around the world.

Explore our projects
Cecelia Langhorne in the RZSS Biobank putting samples in the freezer

IMAGE: Allie McGregor 2023

RZSS WildGenes Biobank

The RZSS WildGenes Biobank is working with the CryoArks Biobank initiative to create the UK's first comprehensive zoological Biobank for research and conservation. 

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Become a conservation champion

and help save the animals you love. So many threatened animals are vanishing in the wild. These animals need us to save them. If we don't help them – who will?

Give from £1 a week to £1 a day

People behind conservation

Helen Taylor looking for pond mud snails in the wild

IMAGE: Laura Moore 2022

Meet the team

Based at Edinburgh Zoo, Highland Wildlife Park and in countries around the world, find out more about our expert conservation team.

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Vet Stephanie Mota and penguin keepers in process of gentoo penguin health checks and vaccinations

Image: AMY MIDDLETON 2023

Veterinary services

The vet team are responsible for the general health and wellbeing of all species our charity cares for, contributes to our conservation and research projects and hosts one of Europe’s foremost training centres for students.

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Scimitar-horned oryx in the wild 

IMAGE: John Newby Sahara Conservation

Conservation resources

The RZSS conservation team regularly contribute to global strategy and management plans for a range of endangered species.

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