Chester Zoo: Conservation, Science and Education
Helping nature survive and thrive - worldwide
Chester Zoo is a conservation charity deeply committed to fighting extinction and protecting animals, plants and habitats across the globe. Our teams work in labs, in the field, in and beyond the classroom and with politicians, business leaders and decision makers to tackle some of the most complex and pressing conservation issues today.
The zoo’s 128-acre site in Chester, which is home to more 2,500 animal and plant species, many of them threatened, is where this species-saving work is made possible.
As a not-for-profit, the zoo ploughs everything into its conservation mission. We engage with 140 international animal conservation breeding programmes, which are ensuring the survival of species on the very brink of extinction. We also host five national plant collections, comprising more than 1,000 species.
Experts from the zoo are recognised by governments and NGOs across the world as leaders within the global conservation community. We influence policy both in the UK and internationally, engaging with governments worldwide to take action to halt the biodiversity crisis.
Zoo teams work with more than 60 partners in more than 20 countries to recover threatened wildlife and restore habitats, including orangutans in Bornean rainforests, elephants and tigers in Indian grasslands, lemurs and frogs in Malagasy forests, rare fish in Mexican lakes and a host of species here in the UK.
Our millions of annual visitors and huge online communities are part of this educational, scientific and conservation jigsaw, and we work hard to empower people to help create a future where nature can survive and thrive.
Who we are and where we went
Conservation in the field
Our field programmes team operate across the world. We lead and support on projects in mainland Africa, Madagascar, South America, Mainland Asia, Southeast Asia and the UK
Deforestation Free Commodities
Our mission is preventing extinction, and a big part of that is aiming to be a major force in conserving biodiversity worldwide.
We are campaigning for a sustainable way forward for key commodities including soy and palm oil.
We carry out work directly in habitats around the world affected by unsustainable aggricultural production.
Zoo Centre for Science
Chester Zoo scientists are working both in the on-site lab and in the field to develop and deploy cutting-edge conservation science
Pop up labs and samples in the field: pioneering non-invasive methods of health checking wild endangered rhinos
Education for the environment
Chester Zoo has committed teams of educators working at every level, from engaging with school-aged children to delivering specialised teaching and resources to conservation practitioners
A flagship project which includes training "Wildlife Champions" and engaging people with nature
