SEED Madagascar

Five Sisters Zoo and SEED Madagascar have been conservation partners since 2019. In the run up to World Lemur Day 2023 there has never been a better moment to celebrate this partnership and some of the incredible species both organisations aim to protect.

Currently, there are 160 different animal species housed at Five Sisters Zoo (four of which are lemur species). We are part of ex-situ breeding efforts (carried out at the zoo), in-situ conservation initiatives (carried out in the field), conservation education programmes and animal rescue projects. However, back in 2005 when the zoo first opened its doors it was on a very different scale. The zoo was originally a small collection of reptiles, birds, and farm animals. Many of the individuals had been rehomed after their original owners felt they could no longer provide for them. The facility was a popular local attraction, but it was in 2012, when the zoo got involved in its first high profile animal rescue story, that things really took off. Three elderly brown bears moved across to join us in Scotland after they were confiscated from a circus. In the years that followed we rehomed three more rescued brown bears, four lions and we are currently working to bring an Asiatic black bear, rescued from a zoo in Ukraine, to Five Sisters Zoo. Of course, animal rescue is not all we have been involved with. Some conservation highlights from across the years include playing a pivotal role in Eurasian beaver translocations across Britain, overwintering native water voles and housing species, such as our Scottish wild cats, that are part of ex-situ breeding efforts aimed at protecting fragile populations.

I joined the zoo, as a volunteer, way back in 2006 when I was twelve years old (not something that would be allowed now). In the years that followed I held several different positions at the zoo. I have been a junior keeper, an education officer and, for the last five years, Head of Education. In between these roles I was lucky to have the opportunity to study animal biology, obtain a Masters by research and hold a field-based position with a European research institute. I always seem to end up back at Five Sisters Zoo (there is a joke among senior staff about the number of leaving parties and first days I have had). I have had an incredibly exciting career so far that has allowed me to work with some amazing wildlife (in some breath-taking habitats) and with some equally amazing people. It is my interest in the connection between people and wildlife that has led me down the zoo education route.

In order for wildlife conservation to be successful good collaboration between educators and organisations working out in the field is absolutely critical. For this reason, I was extremely excited to start talks with SEED Madagascar about a potential partnership back in late 2018. It was an opportunity for us to reach out to our zoo audience and build a bridge between them and the work SEED carries out as part of Project Ala (an initiative set up to connect fragmented forest habitat in southern Madagascar). This was a way for us to connect with people to help connect wildlife. As we house several species that are completely endemic to Madagascar our decision to get involved was made even easier. As mentioned previously, four lemur species currently call Five Sisters Zoo home. Our visitors can spot Black Lemurs, Grey Mouse Lemurs, Black and White Ruffed Lemurs and iconic Ring-Tailed Lemurs (a special mention has to go to Stumpy the ring-tailed lemur that is now an incredible 37 years old). All the lemurs housed at the zoo have an important role as ambassadors for the worlds most endangered group of mammals and feature prominently in many of our conservation education initiatives.

In 2023, good zoos have wildlife conservation at the heart of what they do. Here at Five Sisters Zoo this does not only mean involvement with breeding programmes, working with researchers, and supporting in-situ conservation. Conservation education is also one of our primary focuses. Zoos can provide positive learning environments away from the doom and gloom we see reported on the news every day. This is one of the reasons they can be so important as collaborators. From experience, most visitors to Five Sisters Zoo do not choose us as a destination to visit to be unhappy. In fact, we are much more likely to encounter positive visitors that are excited about the wildlife they encounter throughout their trip. This positivity is what zoo educators strive to turn into conservation action and it is in turn what makes zoos such important collaborators. Here at Five Sisters Zoo, the education team works with thousands of learners every year. Some of these learners come from schools, colleges, or universities but many of them are families or individuals that choose to attend one of our talks or engage with on-site interpretation. Wherever possible, we link learning opportunities back to the work carried out by conservation partners (like SEED) and we are proud to create a bridge between the animal species our visitors encounter, and the in-situ work being carried out to help safeguard their future.

I would like to finish by wishing everyone a very happy World Lemur Day. I truly believe that the partnership between SEED Madagascar and Five Sisters Zoo has an exciting future ahead. Working together, only betters our chances of aiding wild animal species (like lemurs) across Madagascar. Why not celebrate in style this year by seeing how you can help with some of the amazing conservation efforts being made.