Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS)

Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) Welcome to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), the wildlife conservation charity 🐾
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You can help this critically endangered insect! 🪰 Volunteer with our Rare Invertebrates in the Cairngorms partners to ta...
06/10/2026

You can help this critically endangered insect! 🪰

Volunteer with our Rare Invertebrates in the Cairngorms partners to take part in pine hoverfly surveys throughout October in Deeside and Strathspey.

No prior experience is necessary, just an appreciation for insects and a love of the outdoors! You will be provided with training on the day to help us count the number of pine hoverfly larvae in the area. This information helps us to understand how the hoverflies we have released are doing and whether the translocations and habitat management are working.

Each individual pine hoverfly larva is a lifeline for our native population. These little insects have a huge positive impact on forest ecosystems, acting both as pollinators and waste recyclers 🌼

To find out more and get involved in a survey, please email [email protected]

Happy World Animal Day! 💚 With your support, we’re aiming to reverse the decline of at least 50 species by 2030. From da...
04/10/2026

Happy World Animal Day! 💚

With your support, we’re aiming to reverse the decline of at least 50 species by 2030.

From dark bordered beauty moths and wildcats here in Scotland to Partula snails in Tahiti, we’re proud to work on conservation projects around the world.

🔗 Find out how you can support the animals you love
www.rzss.org.uk/support

30/09/2026

Did you know that Scotland is home to around 80% of the UK’s red squirrel population? 🐿️

Red squirrels are threatened by interaction with grey squirrels, which are an invasive non-native competitor species introduced from North America. Some grey squirrels carry a squirrel pox virus, which is harmless to greys but has an extremely high mortality rate in red squirrels.

The RZSS WildGenes team works with Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels, using hair samples to identify individual grey squirrels. By monitoring the grey squirrel population in this way, better informed management decisions can be made to assist in the continued recovery of local native red squirrel populations 💚

Spotted a squirrel in Scotland? You can report the sighting on the Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels website.

Helping secure a future for the Nubian ibex 🐐Nubian ibex are the world’s smallest ibex, perfectly adapted to life on ste...
25/09/2026

Helping secure a future for the Nubian ibex 🐐

Nubian ibex are the world’s smallest ibex, perfectly adapted to life on steep, rocky mountainsides. These incredible climbers are threatened by habitat loss, hunting and competition with livestock. With only a few thousand mature individuals estimated to remain across North Africa and the Middle East, understanding their genetics is vital🧬

Our RZSS WildGenes team is using genetic research to help shape conservation breeding in Oman, as well as management decisions regarding future conservation translocations and reintroductions 💚

Did you know that frozen genetic samples can aid in saving species? ❄️🔬The RZSS WildGenes Biobank recently held an open ...
23/09/2026

Did you know that frozen genetic samples can aid in saving species? ❄️🔬

The RZSS WildGenes Biobank recently held an open day for scientists to explore biological sampling and how genetic resources can support wildlife conservation efforts.

Biobanks help protect endangered species by preserving vital genetic samples in frozen archives. These resources support wildlife population management, genetic research and breeding programmes.

The use of biobanks in conservation programmes have helped species such as the scimitar-horned oryx, Przewalski’s horse and Scotland’s Critically Endangered wildcat.

Explore more about the RZSS WildGenes Biobank
🔗 www.rzss.org.uk/rzss-wildgenes-biobank

A landmark day for Scotland’s wildcats! 🐾 NatureScot, representing more than 26 stakeholder organisations, has launched ...
22/09/2026

A landmark day for Scotland’s wildcats! 🐾

NatureScot, representing more than 26 stakeholder organisations, has launched Scotland’s Wildcat Strategy 2025–2045.

Informed in part by the incredible work of the Saving Wildcats partnership, which we are proud to lead, the 20-year plan will tackle major threats, reconnect habitats, support further releases and work closely with communities to help restore wildcat populations across Scotland.

It’s a major step towards a wilder future for the Highland tiger
🔗 bit.ly/wildcatstrategy

A glimpse into our history 💚From much-loved animals to familiar faces, the RZSS archive holds stories from more than a c...
21/09/2026

A glimpse into our history 💚

From much-loved animals to familiar faces, the RZSS archive holds stories from more than a century of Edinburgh Zoo history.

Thanks to Essential Edinburgh, you can now discover some of these memories for yourself at St Andrew Square, while learning about the history of a place that continues to connect people with wildlife today 🐾

📍 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh
🗓️ On display until the end of September

Recently Edinburgh Zoo welcomed Dr Kulbhushansingh Suryawanshi from the Snow Leopard Trust, who led our Patrons on an ev...
18/09/2026

Recently Edinburgh Zoo welcomed Dr Kulbhushansingh Suryawanshi from the Snow Leopard Trust, who led our Patrons on an evening talk about his fascinating book, The Ghost of the Mountains.

Filled with incredible stories of discovery, conservation and adventure, the book offers insight into the snow leopard, one of the world’s most elusive wild cats, and the dedicated people working to protect them. It was an honour to hear from such an inspiring representative about the challenges, discoveries and dedication behind this important work 🐆🏔️

At RZSS, we’re proud to work with the Snow Leopard Trust via PICA, the Pallas Cat International Conservation Alliance, supporting vital conservation efforts to protect these remarkable wild cats and the landscapes they call home and often share with the snow leopard.

This special evening was part of our Patron events programme. By becoming an RZSS Patron, you can enjoy access to fascinating talks and exclusive events like this, while helping to support vital conservation work here in Scotland and around the world 💚

Find out more about becoming a Patron and help us protect wildlife for generations to come 🔗 rzss.org.uk/support/patrons

For National Cerrado Day, we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible work of Dr Alessandra Bertassoni, an ICAS-affiliat...
11/09/2026

For National Cerrado Day, we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible work of Dr Alessandra Bertassoni, an ICAS-affiliated researcher studying maternal behaviour in giant anteaters.

Projeto Tamanduá-Bandeira's giant anteater conservation programme combines science, technology and community action to protect this species across Brazil. Alessandra’s research is helping us understand a fascinating and often overlooked part of giant anteater ecology and why it matters for their survival. From how mothers protect and communicate with their young, to how babies gradually become independent.

Much of this work takes place in Brazil’s Cerrado region, one of the country’s most biodiverse ecosystems, but also one under intense pressure from agricultural expansion.

Giant anteaters are an important flagship species for the Cerrado. Protecting them means protecting the landscapes they need to raise their young as well as the many other species and communities that depend on this incredible ecosystem🌿

Learn more about Alessandra’s research and the wider work of ICAS here - https://shorturl.at/alafp

You can also visit Snoot, the baby giant anteater at to see the bond between giant anteater mum and baby for yourself, and support the work of ICAS💚

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134 Corstorphine Road
Edinburgh
EH126TS

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+441313349171

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