UK & Europe

The UK Field Programme recognises the critical state of UK wildlife and the particular importance of UK conservation for Chester Zoo. Since 2004, an extensive and diverse portfolio of projects have helped to prevent the extinction of numerous endangered and endemic wildlife across the nation.

Our field project initiatives in Europe are led by the zoo collections, with projects reflecting the roles we are uniquely placed to deliver in conservation breeding, conservation propagation of plants, and conservation translocations.

According to the 2016 State of Nature Report, the UK is one of the "most nature-depleted countries in the world"

1 in 7 species in the UK face extinction. More than half are in decline.

Threats from changes in agricultural practices, hydrological conditions and over-exploitation are key concerns in Europe

Only 6 Cotaneaster cambricus plants remain in the wild. We're saving this critically endangered UK endemic from extinction with a propagation programme.

We connect people, wildlife, and wildlife conservation groups through our Wildlife Connections programme.

We support the pine marten recovery programme with the Vincent Wildlife Trust to return this UK predator to its historic range in North Wales.

View all of our projects in the UK & Europe