ZSL Wild Science Podcast

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 [wild.science@zsl.org] * Check out our science and conservation work at: www.zsl.org/Science [http://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 [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 [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 [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 [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 [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/ [https://www.sbbt.org.uk/] * Saving Swallowtails Conference: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbsU_zSUBrn7qcbUIxv1vONuqzcOhnHO-&si=mBA8eg-8cwmSu1pS [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbsU_zSUBrn7qcbUIxv1vONuqzcOhnHO-&si=mBA8eg-8cwmSu1pS] Get in touch * Email wild.science@zsl.org [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

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 [wild.science@zsl.org] * Check out our science and conservation work at: www.zsl.org/Science [http://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 [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 [https://www.zsl.org/news-and-events/events/science-saving-species] * Lion feeding enrichment example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Hqrweox2UA&t=290 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Hqrweox2UA&t=290] Get in touch * Email wild.science@zsl.org [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

ZSL #050 Mapping Nature's Code

How does our DNA, the tiny building blocks that make every species, and every individual, totally distinct, impact our evolution? In this episode, we learn how we can visualise our DNA, or genome, to allow us to better organise the tree of life, and how learning more about this genetic make-up can provide insights into how a species survives in the face of a changing environment. We head to Cambridge, to ring native UK birds and collect samples of their DNA, and then to the Wellcome Sanger Institute, to see learn how those samples are processed and sequenced as part of a collaborative project aiming to sequence the genomes of all eukaryotes in Britain and Ireland; the Darwin Tree of Life project. Overview 00:11 Harriet McAra, Host of Wild Science, Episode introduction 01:26 Bird ringing in Cambridgeshire and Dr Ava Jenkins, Wildlife Veterinarian and Postdoctoral Research Associate, ZSL Institute of Zoology 03:13 Professor Mark Blaxter, Head of the Tree of Life Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute 06:18 Dr Tom Mathers, Senior Computer Biologist, Wellcome Sanger Institute 12:44 A word of thanks 18:44 A final thought from Mark Blaxter 22:57 Outro Hi-C contact map of the common crane (Grus grus) Hi-C contact map showing the common crane genome (https://wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/10-119/v1) after manual curation. Each block represents a chromosome in order of size from left to right and top to bottom, with dark red cluster in the bottom right hand corner showing unplaced repetitive content. 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 [wild.science@zsl.org] * Check out our science and conservation work at: www.zsl.org/Science [http://www.zsl.org/Science] or www.zsl.org/conservation [http://www.zsl.org/conservation] * Darwin Tree of Life project: https://www.zsl.org/what-we-do/projects/darwin-tree-life-project [https://www.zsl.org/what-we-do/projects/darwin-tree-life-project] * Dr Ava Jenkins: https://www.zsl.org/about-zsl/our-people/dr-ava-jenkins [https://www.zsl.org/about-zsl/our-people/dr-ava-jenkins] * BTO ringing scheme: https://www.bto.org/get-involved/volunteer/projects/bird-ringing-scheme [https://www.bto.org/get-involved/volunteer/projects/bird-ringing-scheme] * Bortoluzzi, C., Wright, C.J., Lee, S., Cousins, T., Genez, T.A.L., Thybert, D., Martin, F.J., Haggerty, L., The Darwin Tree of Life Project Consortium, Blaxter, M., Durbin, R. (2023) Lepidoptera genomics based on 88 chromosomal reference sequences informs population genetic parameters for conservation. Pre-print: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.04.14.536868v1.full.pdf [https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.04.14.536868v1.full.pdf] Get in touch * Email wild.science@zsl.org [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

ZSL #049 The forest behind your floorboards

Do you know where the wood in your floorboards comes from? Or your desk, or dining chairs? In this episode, we dig deep into the grain of a global issue that is often hidden in plain sight in our offices, our houses and our cities – tracing timber back to its source. Harriet talks to Annabelle Dodson, ZSL's Sustainable Business Project Manager, and Victor Deklerck, Director of Science at World Forest ID, about how scientists use isotopes to pinpoint where the trees behind our wood products were grown, the role of digital tracking systems in supply chains, and real-world cases where traceability has driven more responsible sourcing and enforcement. This project is funded by Fondation Lombard Odier and the EU through the ECO-SOLVE project. This episode is part of a series showcasing ZSL's Sustainable Business and Finance work. Please note that this podcast was recorded before the European Commission confirmed changes to the implementation timeline of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Compliance requirements for micro and small enterprises have been delayed to 30 December 2026 (previously June 2026), while medium and large enterprises must still comply by 30 December 2025. Overview 00:14 Harriet McAra, Host of Wild Science, Episode introduction 02:10 Annabelle Dodson, Sustainable Business Project Manager, ZSL 03:19 How does illegal timber enter supply chains, and how does traceability help? 05:17 ZSL Cameroon and World Forest ID 07:50 Victor Deklerck, Director of Science, World Forest ID 09:06 From chemical fingerprints to final verification 12:36 Implications for industry 17:05 The future of supply chain transparency 19:21 What can consumers and companies do to support traceability? 20:40 Harriet McAra, summary 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 [wild.science@zsl.org] * Check out our science and conservation work at: www.zsl.org/Science [https://www.zsl.org/Science] or www.zsl.org/conservation [https://www.zsl.org/conservation] * Read more about the project: www.zsl.org/news-and-events/feature/responsible-sourcing-africa [https://www.zsl.org/news-and-events/feature/responsible-sourcing-africa] * World Forest ID: https://worldforestid.org/ [https://worldforestid.org/] * The Alliance for Wood ID Testing: https://worldforestid.org/insights/partnership-with-wwf [https://worldforestid.org/insights/partnership-with-wwf] * ZSL SPOTT'S ESG policy transparency assessments of timber and pulp companies: https://www.spott.org/timber-pulp/ [https://www.spott.org/timber-pulp/] * Free training materials on forest-driven commodities: https://www.spott.org/training-hub/ [https://www.spott.org/training-hub/] * Help keep SPOTT going. Without continued funding, these assessments can't continue. Donate today at https://donate.zsl.org/spott/ [https://donate.zsl.org/spott/] or email spott@zsl.org [spott@zsl.org] * Find out more about ZSL's Sustainable Business and Finance team: https://www.zsl.org/what-we-do/working-with-business [https://www.zsl.org/what-we-do/working-with-business] Get in touch * Email wild.science@zsl.org [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 * Email spott@zsl.org [spott@zsl.org] for questions about SPOTT assessments, methodology, or partnership. * Follow SPOTT on LinkedIn @ZSL SPOTT, X @zslspott or BlueSky ‪@zslspott.bsky.social‬ ‬‬‬‬‬ * ZSL's Sustainable Business and Finance team offers advisory services to help companies and investors take practical, science-based action for nature. Get in touch: https://www.zsl.org/what-we-do/working-with-business/advisory-services [https://www.zsl.org/what-we-do/working-with-business/advisory-services]

ZSL #048 The rubber story and the road to sustainability

What do car tyres, yoga mats and trainers have in common? They all contain natural rubber, tapped from trees by millions of small farmers, mostly in Asia. While natural rubber production is renewable, its impact on the environment through deforestation, habitat loss and soil degradation, can be great when not managed sustainably. In this episode, we hear from a Thai rubber farmer, about the challenges faced on the ground, as well as one of the world's biggest tyre makers, Michelin, about rubber's colonial history, its tangled supply chains, and how they're working with farmers on sustainability. Finally, we explore how investors can use their influence to demand better practices and drive industry-wide change that benefits both people and nature. This episode is part of a series showcasing ZSL's Sustainable Business and Finance work. Overview 00:15 Harriet McAra, Host of Wild Science, and Rachel Poluan, ZSL SPOTT Team: Episode introduction 02:58 Introduction to the natural rubber sector and how rubber is produced 07:30 Edouard De Rostolan, Michelin: The historical legacy of rubber production and supply chains 12:54 Exploring ESG risks and opportunities 23:52 Khun Soontorn, a rubber smallholder in Thailand: A smallholder perspective 32:04 Agroforestry and the environmental aspects of rubber farms 41:38 Joe Horrocks Taylor, Columbia Threadneedle: How can investors and buyers affect change? 1:02:15 Rachel Poluan, summary 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 [wild.science@zsl.org] * Check out our science and conservation work at: www.zsl.org/Science or www.zsl.org/conservation [https://www.zsl.org/conservation] * SPOTT: https://www.spott.org/ [https://www.spott.org/] * Natural rubber: SPOTT'S ESG policy transparency assessments: https://www.spott.org/natural-rubber/ [https://www.spott.org/natural-rubber/] * SPOTT training hub: https://www.spott.org/training-hub/ [https://www.spott.org/training-hub/] * Help keep SPOTT going. Without continued funding, these assessments can't continue. Donate today at https://donate.zsl.org/spott/ or email spott@zsl.org [spott@zsl.org] * Find out more about ZSL's Sustainable Business and Finance team: https://www.zsl.org/what-we-do/working-with-business [https://www.zsl.org/what-we-do/working-with-business] Get in touch * Email wild.science@zsl.org [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 * Email spott@zsl.org [spott@zsl.org] for questions about SPOTT assessments, methodology, or partnership. * Follow SPOTT on LinkedIn @ZSL SPOTT, X @zslspott or BlueSky ‪@zslspott.bsky.social‬ ‬‬‬‬‬ * ZSL's Sustainable Business and Finance team offers advisory services to help companies and investors take practical, science-based action for nature. Get in touch: https://www.zsl.org/what-we-do/working-with-business/advisory-services [https://www.zsl.org/what-we-do/working-with-business/advisory-services]