Our Wet and Wild Splash Park will be closed Monday 23rd June - Tuesday 24th June inclusive due to essential maintenance. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
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Conservation In Action

Our Mission

To lead conservation efforts by protecting endangered species, empowering communities, and fostering a deep connection to wildlife

WHY ZOOS MATTER

At Twycross Zoo, we’ve spent over 60 years working to safeguard some of the world’s rarest species.

Zoos play a vital role in protecting wildlife and inspiring people to care about nature.  Across the UK, over 32 million people visit zoos every year. That reach gives us an unmatched opportunity to educate, inspire and ignite action for nature. 

We are a registered conservation charity and proud members of BIAZA, EAZA, WAZA and the IUCN.  We work alongside leading organisations to deliver conservation that matters.

“In the end we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.”

Baba Dioum

2024 AT-A-GLANCE

0
% of our species are part of
EAZA Conservation Programmes
0
plastic bottles
diverted from our waste streams
0
VISITS TO OUR ZOO
New visitors
Repeat visitors
Education visitors
0
wildlife workshops delivered
with 15,188 students inspired
0
HOURS
Of technical support to our field partners
conserving wild populations

Goal One

Support zoo animal populations

To care for healthy ex-situ populations of managed species (EEPs), with a focus on threatened primates and species with a direct conservation role.

0
of species we care for are threatened with extinction
0
of our species are part of managed programmes
0
animal births and hatches in 2024
Naomi Frost, Animal Behaviour and Welfare Coordinator Naomi Frost
0%
Completion of Animal Welfare Assessments

As part of our comprehensive animal welfare assessment processes, in 2024 our dedicated Animal Behaviour and Welfare Coordinator, Naomi Frost, carried out assessments on all our animals alongside our animal care team.

6 EEPS COORDINATED BY OUR STAFF

Goal Two

Protecting wild species and habitats globally

Build conservation resources and capacity at Twycross Zoo and in animal range countries to support the preservation of wild populations and their habitats.

0%
International Partners We Worked With To Protect Wild Animal Populations

In addition to our native species projects we currently support international conservation partners to support wild populations of:

Bornean orangutan at Twycross Zoo - Adam Kay Bornean orangutan
3 Year
Commitment to Orangutan Conservation

In 2024 we developed a new three-year project to support the work of Borneo Nature Foundation (BNF), helping secure funding for longer term conservation projects.

Goal Three

Inspiring Positive Change

To deliver conservation education to promote positive behaviour change for wildlife conservation and become a conservation role model for the zoo and wider industry.

Lucy Vann, Conservation Education Ranger at Twycross Zoo Lucy Vann - Twycross Zoo
0
Guests Attended Our Talks

At Twycross Zoo we deliver extensive informal and formal education programmes to educate, inspire and involve our guests in our mission of species conservation.

Our team of Conservation Education Rangers, such as Lucy Vann, deliver carefully curated talks to provide interesting and intriguing information about our animals and ways that our guests can get involved in conservation.

Phillipa Dobbs, Veterinary Services Manager at Twycross Zoo Phillipa Dobbs at Twycross Zoo
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Veterinary Science Students Trained

In 2024, 35 veterinary students and 2 veterinary nurse students spent a total of 340 days (2,720 hours) working with the veterinary team and learning about the important work zoos do for conservation.

Phillipa Dobbs, our Veterinary Services Manager was awarded excellence in teaching by University of Nottingham and was voted one of the most supportive and inspirational clinical associate staff members.

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Further And Higher Education Learners

Our education spans all levels and in 2024, 774 higher education and further education learners attended lectures at Twycross Zoo.

Goal Four

Impacting Society

To enhance the value of zoos for society and wildlife conservation by action, and through influencing relevant regional and national policy.

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Team Members

Twycross had a peak of 183 team members in 2024. Employee wellbeing and engagement remain a top priority and this year we reviewed and improved benefits for all employees:

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Positions of Influence

In 2024 we held 40 positions of influence and by 2030 we aim to hold 60 such roles across our professional associations. Examples within the team include:

  1. Team 1 Rebecca Biddle

    Dr Rebecca Biddle

    EAZA Vice Chair

  2. Team 2 Lynsey Bugg

    Lynsey Bugg

    EAZA Gibbon Tag Chair

  3. Team 3 Yianna Cooling

    Yianna Cooling

    BIAZA Accreditation Screener

  4. Team 4 Phillipa Dobbs

    Phillipa Dobbs

    EAZA Veterinary Advisor for the Bush Dog EEP

  5. Team 5 Katharine Finch

    Katherine Finch

    BIAZA Mammal Working Group Research Liaison

  6. Team 6 Stuart Young

    Dr Stuart Young

    BIAZA Field Conservation Committee Member

Adam Kay, PR & Communications Manager at Twycross Zoo Adam Kay - Twycross Zoo
0
Conservation Focused Media Stories

In 2024, we had a strong focus on using our networks and voice to enhance awareness of the conservation role of zoos, with our visitors, followers and society more generally.

We worked with our in-house and agency teams to publish 10 conservation-specific pieces, that were covered regionally, nationally and globally in, reaching a maximum of 1.2 billion people.

Goal Five

Protecting UK Wildlife

Conserve UK native wildlife and habitats on our site and beyond and support key UK environmental initiatives.

Twycross Team managing our Nature Reserve Twycross Team managing our nature reserve
0%
Of Our Land Protected For Wildlife

Adjacent to Twycross Zoo sits our Wetlands Nature Reserve and in 2024 we worked with the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust to designate our nature reserve as a Local Wildlife Site.

The reserve consists of 19 ponds bordered by a species rich grassland including knapweed, ox-eye, cowslip, wild carrot, birds-foot trefoil, musk mallow, hay rattle and meadow buttercup.

0
Mature Trees On Site

In 2024 we calculated that we have 635 large mature trees, 7.4 hectares of hedge and shrub 23 hectares of grassland within our zoo land. This benchmark helps to ensure that we improve and incorporate protection of these trees into our future development plans.

Kentish Glory Moth Kentish Glory Moth - Adam Kay - Twycross Zoo
1
Species Moved Along The Recovery Curve

The Kentish glory moth is extinct in England, last being found in the Wyre Forest, Worcestershire, in the 1970s. In a formal partnership with Natural England, Forestry England, and Butterfly Conservation, we are working to re-establish the moth in its former stronghold.

The Kentish glory moth is one of the 15 species we have committed to reverse the decline of as part of our ‘Reverse the Red’ pledge.

Hazel Dormouse Hazel Dormouse - Frank Vassen
Paving the way for Hazel Dormice

Hazel dormice are listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the UK Red List for Mammals (although recent research suggests they are now ‘Endangered’). Locally, they are extinct in Leicestershire.

In 2023, we supported the release and post-release monitoring of dormice at Calke Abbey, Derbyshire. We also supported surveys across Leicestershire, working with local landowners and conservation groups, to identify suitable sites for reintroduction to the county.

Goal Six

Environmental Sustainability

To become a sustainable organisation and minimise our contribution to global climate change.

Eco-friendly plush in the gift shop at Twycross Zoo Eco-friendly plush in the gift shop at Twycross Zoo - Adam Kay
NEW
Sustainable Procurement Policy

In 2024 we developed a new Sustainable Procurement Policy that will go live in early 2025. This includes guidelines and requirements on animal welfare, environmental and sustainability practices, and ethical trading.

The policy will be used to review new and existing suppliers, to ensure that they meet our requirements, or can work towards these within a given timeframe.

0%
of our waste recycled
0
guests reached with recycling messages
0
food items provided to help local families
Recycling wall at Twycross Zoo Recycling wall at Twycross Zoo - Adam Kay - Twycross Zoo
WE
Gave Centre Stage to Recycling

To help promote sustainability and raise awareness about the importance of recycling, we created an impactful recycling display at the main entrance of our zoo. Set up from 11th October we estimate that 81,956 guests will have walked past it and had the opportunity to engage.

This initiative combined creativity, collaboration, and education to engage guests and staff in meaningful environmental action.

Your Support Matters

Cover Photo Eastern Black Rhino At Twycross Zoo Phil Grain

Visit with purpose

Every visit helps fund the protection of endangered species both here in the UK and around the world. From our animal care to our wild conservation project, your ticket makes a difference.

Become a Conservation Member

Go behind the scenes of our conservation work. Our new membership gives you exclusive stories from our teams in the UK and overseas, plus invites to special conservation events.

Donate or Fundraise

Support a cause you care about. Whether it’s reintroducing native species, protecting wild habitats, or backing cutting-edge science, your donation helps us act faster and go further.

Partner With Us

We work with like-minded organisations who want to make a real impact for wildlife. From sponsorship to CSR initiatives, we’re open to creative partnerships that support our mission.

Download our full report for more, or sign up to hear more about our work, mission and how you can help.

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