The award which recognises the incredible work being done to restore native species in the country, has recognised Banham Zoo for its ‘Pool Frogs Pods’ project – supporting the recovery of the very rare northern pool frog.
This project aims to safeguard the enigmatic northern pool frog from extinction by rearing and breeding pool frogs on-site at Banham Zoo and then releasing them back into the wild. Working with our project partners, Natural England, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation and ZSL, we aim to create innovative and groundbreaking frog habitats at the zoo to bolster the wild populations of this very noisy and sun-loving amphibian.
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.
Banham Zoo’s ‘Pool Frog Pods’ project 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. Other species being helped include beavers, harvest mice and rare moths!
‘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,’ says Andy Hall, BIAZA’s Communications and Public Affairs Manager and the founder of the Great British Wildlife Restoration.
Sarah Lee, who is Group Head of Conservation at Zoological Society of East Anglia is delighted to be recognised and says, “being shortlisted for this prestigious award highlights the work we are doing alongside our project partners to ultimately safeguard the future for the native northern pool frog. With all the challenges against nature such as habitat loss and climate change, it is vital that conservation organisations like ZSEA step up and face these challenges head-on to save species from further decline, whilst placing a spotlight on the incredible biodiversity we have here in the UK.’ As a shortlisted project Banham 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.
