Conservation in Action 2025 (EXTERNAL SHARE) - Flipbook - Page 13
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frameworks for change
Globally, 2025 saw the development of frameworks aimed at bringing people together to support
improvement and ignite change. Following the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity
Framework (GBF) in 2022, to which our Conservation Strategy is aligned, the 196 country signatories began
to publish their National Biodiversity Strategies (NBSAP) outlining how they will meet the Framework’s
goals. The UK’s plan, a “Blueprint for Halting and Reversing Biodiversity Loss”, was published in February,
followed by the government’s Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) in December, which lays out a
roadmap to achieving UK National Targets and contribution to GBF.
More locally, at Twycross Zoo, we participated in the development of the Leicestershire, Leicester and
Rutland Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Published in July, this lays out the strategic aims and priorities
of our county, such as increasing the area and diversity of land and water managed for wildlife,
improvingecological condition of areas for nature conservation, promoting sustainable agriculture, and
reducing major pressures and threats to nature including invasive non-native species. We are proud to
play our part towards this, for which we see strong alignment between these global, national and local
goals, and our conservation strategy Goal Four targets.
“Our work to save species globally, and to reconnect
our guests, young and old, with nature and wildlife
has never been more important.”
COLLABORATION TO DRIVE BEST PRACTICE
As a progressive conservation zoo, working collaboratively is key to our success, and in 2025 we held 42
positions of in昀氀uence across our zoo professional sector. Through this we continue to support and lead
joint initiatives that drive best practice in zoo conservation, across an array of topics such as population
management, veterinary care, animal health, education, conservation science, and conservation
communication. 2025 has been a busy and important year for our zoo associations, with WAZA (World
Association of Zoos and Aquaria) celebrating its 90th anniversary, EAZA (European Association of Zoos
and Aquaria) maintaining its position as the largest zoo association with 400+ members across 47
countries, and BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria) continuing to play a key role in
raising awareness amongst our public about the importance of UK zoos for nature conservation globally.
Of particular signi昀椀cance to UK zoos, this year we saw the long-awaited publication of the Secretary
of State’s Standards of Modern Zoo Practice, that we were proud to contribute to - joining with our
professional zoo sector to ensure the resulting document was 昀椀t for purpose and drives forward
standards across all zoo operations. These Standards come into force in May 2027 and will continue to
support change and improvement across the UK zoo sector, ensuring that all zoos are held to the highest
of standards with regards to animal care and welfare.
