Chester Zoo

Along with being a much-loved zoo in the North of England, the Chester Zoo – North of England Zoological Society is a registered organisation that fights species extinctions across the globe.

The mission of Chester Zoo is “Preventing extinction”. As more species decline towards extinction due to human activities, Chester Zoo tackles the threats head on. It is leading best practice in science, education and husbandry to create a sustainable future for wildlife. This is achieved by managing animal and plant populations, safeguarding habitats, and empowering people to value nature and build conservation into their daily lives.

Its experts, partners and collaborators apply their skills and knowledge and using scientific evidence to ensure that they are making a real difference to conservation around the world. Chester Zoo’s conservation work involves its experts, partners and collaborators applying their skills and knowledge for six broad specialisms:

• Biodiversity surveys and ecological monitoring
• Human-wildlife conflict
• Conservation breeding and management
• Livelihoods and sustainable development
• Wildlife health and well-being
• Visitor and community engagement

Synchronicity Earth’s Asian Species Programme supports research by Chester Zoo to develop management plans for the Endangered Bawean warty pig (Sus blouchi) and the Critically Endangered Bawean deer (Axis kuhlii). Both are endemic to the island of Bawean, Indonesia. These species are threatened by indirect and direct hunting, low genetic diversity due to small populations, and potentially feral hunting dogs. There is no focussed conservation project yet, and no continuous ecological study. Many questions that could lead to effective conservation planning are still unanswered.

The main aim of this work is to collect a complete suite of information about genetic diversity, population size, threats, and ecology. That will lead to a set of recommendations for effective conservation measures for the Bawean warty pig and Bawean deer. At the same time, the collection of this data will be the start of long-term population monitoring on the island. This imperative effort may just be the first step to secure a prosperous future for these two overlooked species.