Conservation Powered by Science Appeal

We are in the midst of an ongoing, global extinction crisis. Global populations of mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles have halved since 1970. The UN estimates that more than one million species could be wiped out in our lifetime. Science and research is critical to animal health, sustaining populations and for countering the impacts of biodiversity loss.

Science staff member using pipette to fill sample tubes

Donate today

Every donation to our Conservation Powered By Science appeal helps to ensure that we can continue our vital wildlife conservation work to protect vulnerable wildlife from the threats posed by our rapidly changing climate. Please donate today.

Chester Zoo is home to more than 500 plant and animal species - but its also home to some of the UK's leading scientists and researchers. Our team of scientists are constantly developing new conservation techniques and carrying out research within and beyond our Zoo.

As well as being a power house for research and scientific projects, our science team provide training, lectures and research facilities for staff, interns and students to conduct scientific projects and to develop their skills to be future conservation scientists. We currently run more than 200 research projects, and have produced more than 2,000 scientific reports and talks, including 270 peer-reviewed publications, and we've also provided training for over 70 graduate level students over the last decade. Our conservation work really is powered by science.

Rainforest Habitat In South East Asia Is Being Lost To Produce Palm Oil Driving Species To Extinction (C) Marc Ancrenaz

We urgently need your support

Our new International Centre for Zoo Science enables researchers to study some of the world’s most threatened species, and support conservationists and scientists to fight the global extinction crisis. This specialised facility is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to assess the health of plants and animals, from Komodo dragons to rhinos, a demonstration lab to help train future conservationists and a special cryo-conservation unit, where genetic samples from endangered species will be are preserved in liquid nitrogen at -196°C. It also houses Europe’s largest dedicated wildlife endocrinology lab, which allows scientists to study and track hormone levels in animals to further understand their reproductive biology.

This is expensive work - it costs us over £5,203 to run our science work programmes for just one day. Every donation we receive helps us to further our science conservation work.

Your support will help us take action against climate change

Please support today

£7

Can help us to cover the costs of testing one sample during EEHV screening of the Asian elephant herd at Chester Zoo

Bali Starling One Of The Species Chester Zoo Is Protecting Through Its New Sing For Songbirds Campaign (2)

£15

can help pay for SD cards so we can monitor the sound in our habitats, improving the comfort of and our understanding of the animals in our care

Chester Zoo Science Centre (Endocrinology, Lab, Science) (1)

£50

would help to pay for 3 days worth of liquid nitrogen so we can maintain the ideal temperature for the cryopreservation of tissues from some of the world's most endangered species

£100

could help us to vaccinate elephants with our EEHV vaccine

Why your donation matters

Your donations help us to achieve amazing things. We’re leading research on behalf on of the international conservation community to develop earlier diagnosis, better treatment and ultimately a vaccine to protect Asian elephants against EEHV (Elephant Endotheliotrophic Herpes Virus). In fact, we're currently trialling the first vaccine worldwide against this devastating virus. We simply couldn't continue all of our species-saving science work without our supporters.

Please support our Conservation Powered By Science appeal today.

Find out more about our work

Your support directly helps to fund our work - in the zoo and across the world. Find out more about the areas of conservation work our experts carry out every day.

There are so many ways to support our work

Our species-saving conservation work - both in the zoo and across the world - is only made possible thanks to our supporters.

Mowgli Street Food Teams Up With Chester Zoo To Help Prevent Wildlife Extinction In South East Asia Borneo.

Our Conservation Masterplan

Preventing extinction can't be done alone – it is complex and requires a collaborative approach to resolve inter-related threats.

Our pioneering science research

Our dedicated team of scientists, data analysts and technologists work together with partners across the world.

Lake Patzcuaro In Mexico Three Men Standing In The Water

Our conservation work across the globe

Our team of experts work in six regions around the globe- representing some of the planet's most biodiverse habitats.

Our International Conservation Academy

Chester Zoo is a hub for conservation education and we're committed to inspiring future conservationists