The Woburn Estate

Privacy

The Bedford Estates, LondonThe Bedford Estates, London

Image of somali foal wsp july 2021 6 web

Woburn Safari Park's Conservation Policy

Conservation is listed as one of the three important roles of modern zoos and aquaria, and as such, it is a key objective at Woburn Safari Park.

Woburn Safari Park is now an expansive wild animal park, home to hundreds of endangered, exotic and native animals living in 360 acres of Bedfordshire parkland. Our mission is to help protect the long term future of vulnerable animal species by making a direct contribution to in-situ and ex-situ conservation projects in combination with spreading important conservation messages to our many visitors.

A picture of Pere David deer. Photo courtesy of Woburn Abbey Collection.

Woburn has a long history of species conservation, dating back to the 11th Duke of Bedford in 1894, when a breeding herd of Père David deer was established on the estate.

This herd prospered and was later re-introduced to the wild, significantly contributing to saving the species from certain extinction.

(Photo of two of the Père David’s deer brought to the Woburn Deer Park by
Herbrand, 11th Duke of Bedford, and photographed by his wife Mary, after 1894. Photo courtesy of the Woburn Abbey Collection.)

Black and White Ruffed Lemur rests in shady tree

GLOBAL CRISIS

The world is in the midst of a global extinction crisis with significant declines in animal numbers and loss of their habitats, and this is advancing at an unprecedented rate.

Conservation is not simply about avoiding species extinction but about ensuring long term protection and maintenance of viable landscapes, habitats, and ecosystems.

See the list of endangered and vulnerable species at Woburn
Zebra stands in expansive grassy reserve

CONSERVATION EFFORTS

Conservation and protection of endangered species requires a coordinated effort by both zoos and field conservation initiatives. In zoos, this conservation begins with the protection of endangered and vulnerable species through coordinated and managed breeding programmes.

European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA)

As an EAZA accredited zoo, Woburn participates in the captive management of endangered breeding animals through the EAZA Ex-Situ Programme (EEP). These help to ensure a viable and sustainable captive population of key species is maintained long term. Each programme plays a key role in the conservation of notable and endangered species.

See the list of EEP species at Woburn

British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria (BIAZA)

Woburn Safari Park is also an active member of BIAZA, which is the professional organization representing the best zoos and aquaria in Britain and Ireland, pioneering excellence in animal welfare, education and conservation work.

BIAZA contributes to improved captive management, husbandry and welfare of species largely through the work of its Taxon groups.

Bongo peeks out from behind tree and looks at camera against a blurred forest background with trees and grass

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

As part of our commitment to conservation, a number of the Woburn team are involved with species interest and monitoring groups dedicated to the conservation and the protection of endangered species:

Catherine Doherty, Head of Animal Encounters

BIAZA Mammal Working Group Small Mammal Sub-Group Co-Chair; EEP Red-belled lemur (Eulemur rubriventer) - Species Committee Member; BIAZA  Eurasian harvest mice (Micromys minutus) - Species Monitor.

Nathalie Wissick-Argilaga, Lic.Vet

CertAVP(ZM) DZooMed (Reptilian) MRCVSRCVS Recognised Specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine; Junior Vice President of British Veterinary Zoological Society (BVZS); Veterinary Advisor to BIAZA Mammal Working Group (Elephants).

Female animal team member faces crowd of adults and young children with blue and yellow macaw on her arm

CONSERVATION EDUCATION

Whilst the Safari Park does fantastic ex-situ conservation work with the animals in our care, we also help to look after the natural habitat and native species that live in our beautiful parkland here in Bedfordshire. Woburn is committed to native species conservation through direct action and sustainable use of resources as well as through crucial conservation education efforts, raising public awareness and influencing the day to day actions of the many visitors to our park.

Through visitor talks and demonstrations, conservation signage and education sessions Woburn aims to portray the conservation messages of both native and exotic species. It is hoped that a visit to the Park may inspire positive environmental action, behavioural change and potentially inspire future conservationists!

FORWARD THINKING...

Woburn continue to actively seek opportunities for positive conservation impact, collaborating with other zoological collections, BIAZA, EAZA, conservation organisations and universities to help protect species and habitats alike.

A keeper dressed as a penguin to raise money for charity

Supporting conservation projects

The public’s passion for conservation can be seen through their generation to the many conservation projects that Woburn supports.

Woburn staff have worked hard to generate funds for important animal charities working to protect habitats and species in the wild, including elephants, rhinos, bongos, lemurs, and tigers, among others. Woburn are dedicated to continuing these important relationships with in-situ projects, offering staff knowledge, time and assisting with fundraising where we can.

Find out more
Researcher takes photo and takes notes of black bear from inside vehicle

Conservation research

Woburn Safari Park is committed to sourcing and contributing towards research that also directly benefits in-situ conservation efforts. Caring for a variety of endangered and exotic species, day-in-day-out, provides us with a unique opportunity to improve our knowledge of behaviour and biology, both of which may prove more difficult to study in native ranges. Through non-invasive research methods, we can work to gather important information which can be used to directly assist conservation efforts in the field and ultimately, benefit species in the wild.

Find out more