ZSL Wild Science Podcast

About ZSL Wild Science Podcast

Delve into topical issues in zoology, conservation and the environment, from saving species and protecting the planet, to finding out about the animals living across the globe, including in London's own river Thames. Learn more about the science behind the conservation work being done by ZSL and others, in this podcast from ZSL's Institute of Zoology. Hosted previously by Dr Monni Böhm and Ellie Darbey, and now by Harriet McAra.

Publisher

Zoological Society of London

Category

science · science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Feb 2018

Latest episode

21 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

53 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Aug 2026

   ZSL #053 A Tiny Frog Facing an Urgent Crisis

   Deep in the dense rainforests of southern Chile lives a tiny amphibian. Just 3cm long, expertly blending into the browns and green of the forest floor, with a narrow-pointed nose and angular body, the Darwin's frog is fighting for survival. Scientists at ZSL have spent more than 20 years working on a disease known as chytridiomycosis, which has devastated amphibian populations globally, to try and understand underlying drivers of the distribution, spread and impacts of the disease. In this episode, we hear about the work being done to protect and restore Darwin's frog populations, and how funding from the Postcode Lottery enables this vital research. Overview 00:12    Harriet McAra, Host of Wild Science, Episode introduction 01:21    Dr Andrés Valenzuela-Sánchez, Research Fellow in Wildlife Health at ZSL 28:48    Will Humpington, Climate Change and Environment Advisor at the Postcode Lottery 33:35    Thank you and outro Resources If there's a topic you'd like to hear on a future podcast, or if you'd like to share your thoughts, email the ZSL Wild Science Podcast at: wild.science@zsl.org Check out our science and conservation work at: www.zsl.org/Science or www.zsl.org/conservation (http://www.zsl.org/conservation) Find out more about the Postcode Lottery's work supporting charitable causes: https://www.postcodelottery.co.uk/charities More about ZSL's relationship with the Postcode Lottery: https://www.zsl.org/support-us/charitable-trusts-and-foundations Find more information on amphibian chytridiomycosis: https://www.zsl.org/what-we-do/projects/amphibian-chytridiomycosis Darwin's frog vocal sac brooding behaviour: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZQGJR6FGgh/ The first time that chytridiomycosis is documented in a terrestrial species, having previously thought to be only transmissible through water: Valenzuela-Sánchez, A., Delgado-Oyarzún, S., Azat, C. et al. Localized transmission of an aquatic pathogen drives hidden epidemics and population collapse in a terrestrial host. Nat Ecol Evol 10, 308–317 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-025-02930-1 Watch A Leap of Hope, a ZSL film capturing the rescue mission and 7000-mile expedition made by conservationists to protect the Darwin's frog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs1SIs0KRlk Ranita de Darwin and their work in Parque Tantauco: https://www.ranitadedarwin.org/en/rescatetantauco Get in touch Email wild.science@zsl.org with your questions, comments, and thoughts for future episodes! Find us @ZSLScience on X or @zslofficial.bsky.social on BlueSky and use the hashtag #ZSLWildScience Follow us on Facebook @ZSLScienceAndConservation

2. 

   14 Jun 2026

   ZSL #052 World Swallowtail Day 2026: Celebrating and Saving Iconic Butterflies

   Happy World Swallowtail Day to our listeners! 🦋 To mark this special day and celebrate these incredible insects, we catch up with Sophie Ledger, Red List Research Associate and Manager at ZSL's Institute of Zoology, and Dr Mark Collins, President of the Swallowtail and Birdwing Butterfly Trust, to explore the ecology, adaptations and challenges of this remarkable family of butterflies, and hear about the work being done to protect and conserve them. Whether you're a lifelong lepidopterist, or simply enjoy watching a butterfly in flight, we hope you enjoy this episode. Overview 00:11    Harriet McAra, Host of Wild Science, Episode introduction 01:19    Sophie Ledger, Red List Research Associate and Manager at ZSL's Institute of Zoology gives an overview of the swallowtail butterfly family, the threats they currently face, and the wonderful (and sometimes weird) adaptations they have evolved to increase their chances of survival 13:29    Sophie and Harriet discuss the work of the IUCN Butterfly and Moth Specialist Group and what comes next for swallowtail populations 22:44    Dr Mark Collins, President of the Swallowtail and Butterfly Birdwing Trust, discusses the work of the Trust both further afield in Malaysia and Bhutan, and closer to home in Norfolk, UK 38:05    Thank you and outro Resources If there's a topic you'd like to hear on a future podcast, or if you'd like to share your thoughts, email the ZSL Wild Science Podcast at: wild.science@zsl.org Check out our science and conservation work at: www.zsl.org/Science or www.zsl.org/conservation (http://www.zsl.org/conservation) Sophie Ledger: https://www.zsl.org/about-zsl/our-people/sophie-ledger Collins, N. M., & Morris, M. G. (1985). Threatened swallowtail butterflies of the world: the IUCN Red Data Book. IUCN. Available for download from: https://portals.iucn.org/library/node/6844 IUCN SSC Butterfly and Moth Specialist Group: https://iucn.org/our-union/commissions/group/iucn-ssc-butterfly-and-moth-specialist-group IUCN Red List of Threatened Species assessment overview https://www.iucnredlist.org/assessment/process Genital photoreceptors have crucial role in oviposition for females and copulation for males (sees with its genitals). References: Kentaro Arikawa, Hindsight of Butterflies: The Papilio butterfly has light sensitivity in the genitalia, which appears to be crucial for reproductive behavior, BioScience, Volume 51, Issue 3, March 2001, Pages 219–225, https://doi.org/10.1641/0006-3568(2001)051[0219:HOB]2.0.CO;2 Kentaro Arikawa, Nobuhiro Takagi "Genital Photoreceptors Have Crucial Role in Oviposition in Japanese Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly, Papilio xuthus," Zoological Science, 18(2), 175-179, (1 March 2001) Swallowtail and Birdwing Butterfly Trust: https://www.sbbt.org.uk/ Saving Swallowtails Conference: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbsU_zSUBrn7qcbUIxv1vONuqzcOhnHO-&si=mBA8eg-8cwmSu1pS Get in touch Email wild.science@zsl.org with your questions, comments, and thoughts for future episodes! Find us @ZSLScience on X or @zslofficial.bsky.social on BlueSky and use the hashtag #ZSLWildScience Follow us on Facebook @ZSLScienceAndConservation

3. 

   30 Apr 2026

   ZSL #051 From Habitat to Husbandry: Evidence-based animal care

   Modern zoos play a critical role in global conservation, but supporting wildlife under human care goes far beyond habitat design. Hear how ZSL's experts use science, behavioural insight and veterinary care to help animals thrive and support species on the brink of extinction. From ensuring penguins can express their natural behaviours, to delivering tailored veterinary care to supports lions' long-term health and welfare, this episode of Wild Science shines a light on the dedication and expertise within ZSL's Evidence-based Animal Care Team and beyond. Overview 00:13    Harriet McAra, Host of Wild Science, Episode introduction 01:05    Jim Mackie, Animal Behaviour Management Officer, ZSL A history of animal enrichment in zoos, recorded at London Zoo's Penguin Beach 06:57    How zoo animal welfare can contribute to wild species recovery, recorded in the Blackburn Pavilion 20:16    Training for health checks and veterinary care, recorded in the Land of the Lions 39:22    Thank you and outro Resources If there's a topic you'd like to hear on a future podcast, or if you'd like to share your thoughts, email the ZSL Wild Science Podcast at: wild.science@zsl.org Check out our science and conservation work at: www.zsl.org/Science or www.zsl.org/conservation (http://www.zsl.org/conservation) Jim Mackie: https://www.zsl.org/about-zsl/our-people/jim-mackie The Science of Saving Species: https://www.zsl.org/news-and-events/events/science-saving-species Lion feeding enrichment example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Hqrweox2UA&t=290 Get in touch Email wild.science@zsl.org with your questions, comments, and thoughts for future episodes! Find us @ZSLScience on X or @zslofficial.bsky.social on BlueSky and use the hashtag #ZSLWildScience Follow us on Facebook @ZSLScienceAndConservation

Who has been a guest on ZSL Wild Science Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Annabelle Dodson
• Victor Deklerck
• Edouard De Rostolan
• Joe Horrocks Taylor
• David Curnick

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

70,024

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Podcast Authority Score: 46 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

59

Social presence

0

YouTube

85

Engagement

0

Contact ZSL Wild Science Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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