West Lothian zoo shortlisted for prestigious conservation prize

Debbie Hall

12 November 2024 at 7:05 am·3-min read

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)

The Five Sisters Zoo has been shortlisted for a prestigious prize thanks to its incredible work in helping beavers to flourish in the UK.

The zoo is in the running for an award in the Great British Wildlife Restoration competition, a scheme that recognises the incredible work being done to restore native species in the country.

But to secure this award, FSZ needs the support of Members of Parliament and the House of Lords, whose votes will determine the winner.

Staff are calling on supporters to contact their local MPs and encourage them to vote in favour of FSZ’s conservation efforts, ensuring that this impactful work receives the recognition it deserves.

FSZ is proud to be recognised for its Eurasian Beaver Translocation Project, conducted in partnership with the Beaver Trust.

Since 2019, this project has facilitated the licensed translocation of Eurasian Beavers (Castor fiber) from areas of human-wildlife conflict in Scotland, under the direction of NatureScot, to designated release sites across England, Wales, and new wild locations in Scotland.

These sites include notable projects such as the Ealing Beaver Project in London, over 20 wild release initiatives at Argaty Red Kites, Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve, and the Cairngorms National Park as part of the Cairngorms Beaver Project in Scotland.

Many of these beavers would otherwise face lethal control. FSZ built two custom quarantine facilities— under the direction of the Beaver Trust, which also funded the construction — where each beaver undergoes health screenings to confirm fitness for reintroduction into the wild.

This year, FSZ celebrated the milestone of translocating its 200th beaver, significantly contributing to genetic diversity and ecosystem health throughout Britain.

The Great British Wildlife Restoration has been organised by BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) to shine a spotlight on some of the amazing work taking place to tackle the drastic decline of our native species and will urge politicians to act now for our nature.

Five Sisters Zoo joins 22 other shortlisted projects. Collectively these projects have helped thousands of animals, habitats, and ecosystems, as well as inspiring thousands of people with their stories. Species being helped include beavers, harvest mice, and rare moths!

Andy Hall, BIAZA’s Communications and Public Affairs Manager and the founder of the Great British Wildlife Restoration, said: “The shortlist shows the depth and breadth of work going on in our great British zoos and aquariums to save the nature on our doorstep. We need to recognise and reward this incredible work, and I hope politicians of all stripes will get behind these awards.”

Veselina Alvas, head keeper at Five Sisters Zoo, added: “We are incredibly proud to see our work with the Beaver Trust recognised in this way. Each beaver translocation is a step forward for both species conservation and ecosystem health. By offering an alternative to lethal control, we’re giving beavers the chance to thrive and make a real difference to Britain’s landscapes.”

As a shortlisted project, Five Sisters Zoo will be invited to a special awards evening at the House of the Speaker of the House of Commons in January. The winner will have received the most votes from supportive Members of Parliament or Members of the House of Lords.

To read more about the incredible conservation work conducted by Five Sisters Zoo, please visit https://fivesisterszoo.co.uk/conservation/partners/

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