Who we are:
The Institute of Zoology is the research division of ZSL (Zoological Society of London), an international conservation charity driven by science, working everyday to restore wildlife in the UK and around the world. From lab to field and through our two conservation Zoos, London and Whipsnade, we’re leading the future of conservation, shaping agendas and influencing change to restore wildlife in the UK and around the world.
As a world-leading research organisation, we are directly addressing key global challenges in the field of conservation science. From species rescue to ecosystem scale monitoring, our staff and students work to provide solutions to some of the greatest challenges currently facing wildlife and our environment by undertaking research that powers sustainable, innovative solutions that work — for wildlife, people and the planet.
What we’re doing in the Darwin Tree of Life Project:
At ZSL’s Institute of Zoology, our team of wildlife vets and scientists are collecting samples of British wild vertebrates as part of the project. Initially focussing on birds, we are collecting high quality blood and tissue samples of species across the UK, from the most common to extremely rare migratory and vagrant birds. This involves working in partnership with the British Trust for Ornithology, whose licensed ringers accompany our team to catch and ring birds, whilst allowing us to take samples for the project.
We also work with zoos, including London and Whipsnade, wildlife hospitals and rehabilitators, and other projects within the Institute to expand our sampling opportunities across the animal kingdom.
Why we’re invested in the Darwin Tree of Life Project:
Climate change and human activity have pushed our precious planet to its limit – and when nature loses, we all do.
We believe that nature can recover, and as part of the Darwin Tree of Life Project, we are empowering researchers, conservation practitioners and policymakers to make informed decisions that protect species and the ecosystems they underpin.
Understanding wildlife genomes in our changing world allows us to identify threats to biodiversity, develop solutions to global conservation challenges, support sustainable and healthy societies and ecosystems, and drive evidence-based conservation of wildlife. High‑quality reference genomes are an essential resource for conservation science, offering insight into the biology, evolution and resilience of species.
For threatened and understudied species in particular, reference genomes can reveal the genetic factors that influence survival, reproduction and population-recovery potential, allowing us to keep pushing the boundaries of science-led conservation achievements.