Great British Wildlife Restoration Award

We are delighted that our reptile surveying project at North Leigh Common has been shortlisted for BIAZA’s Great British Wildlife Restoration Award!

As biodiversity loss continues to drive the UK’s nature into decline, and as almost a third of native reptile and amphibian species are at risk of extinction, and as a primarily reptile-focused zoo, we have a particular interest in supporting local native populations. Reptiles and amphibians are still so often not at the forefront of wildlife conservation, so we wanted to draw attention to the plight of this charismatic group.

One of three surveying projects run by the Zoo, surveys at North Leigh Common have found an abundance of herptile life including common lizards, slow worms, grass snakes and great crested newts.

Working with the local community, the Zoo is creating a rich data set which tracks annual populations, preferred habitats and the effects of local management plans. The project has enabled collaborations through working with the local Abingdon and Witney College and gained support from the local council and ARG UK. Our survey site also hosted the Wild Oxfordshire team who used our refugia during their own training session for community groups and our very own community day. We’ve already achieved immensely positive feedback from the local community, many of whom had no idea there were so many weird and wonderful species residing on their doorstep. It’s this positive reaction we now want to spread even further, demonstrating how we have uncovered a haven for wild native herps.