ZOO OPENING TIMES
We are open every day of the year, including Christmas Day, from 9am until:
| 6.00pm | April - September |
| 5.00pm | October & March |
| 4.30pm | November - February |
2009 Events
Find out what's happening
at the Zoo in 2009.
Events include owl flights,
wildlife lectures, quiz nights and
a wine tasting.
Conservation & Research
Conservation at the Zoo
Without conservation, our Zoo would be simply a collection of wonderful animals in a very pleasant park. With conservation, we are a vital force for good in a rapidly disintegrating world, where people are becoming increasingly removed from nature, and nature is fragmenting into tiny pieces.
In a world of rapidly diminishing habitats, disappearing species and increasing urbanisation, zoos and aquariums are uniquely placed to connect people to their natural environment, to inspire them to care, and to encourage them to take effective action to play an active part in reducing the relentless rate of environmental destruction.
Zoos and aquariums inspire people to help conserve biodiversity. There is a demonstrable thread which runs from having fun, to being inspired, to having a greater understanding, to supporting and achieving conservation. The short-hand expression of this chain of action is ‘conservation through inspiration’. After fun, comes action. Not always, but sometimes.
Visitors to our Zoo will enjoy the wonder of living animals, enjoy the experience of being close to nature, and will – increasingly, we hope – take effective action to help make the planet a safer place for all its species. So conservation is about all of these elements coming together – fun, understanding and action. In Edinburgh Zoo, we strive to engender this sense of fun, to foster greater understanding, and to encourage effective action.
Research at the Zoo
It takes a huge amount of knowledge to care for a large variety of animal species, as each species has very specific requirements. This knowledge is gained through studies of both captive and wild animal populations.
The RZSS has one of the most active zoo research programmes in the UK. In 2003-2004, the RZSS hosted research projects for over 40 students and scientists from 15 academic and scientific institutions. The scientists conduct research on our animal collection that covers many areas of the life sciences including animal behaviour and welfare, psychology, evolution, nutrition, physiology and veterinary science. The main aim of our research programme is:
' to increase our knowledge and understanding of animal science, for the benefit of both captive and wild animals'
All our research is non-invasive. Much of it is carried out through observation and recording of data, both manually and through the use of video and time-lapse cameras, and also through the non-intrusive collection of biological samples such as faeces and urine.
If you are interested in conducting a research study within our collection, or for further information about our research programme please contact our Research Office at research@rzss.org.uk
How You Can Help
Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park are owned by The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, which is a registered charity. You can make a vital contribution to our research and conservation projects.
For example, a donation of only £40 would pay the wages of a field assistant in Brazil's Pantanal wetland for one week.
Find out more about how you can support our work