Lions, tigers and tourists: University of Brighton asks, are UK zoos putting spectacle before conservation?

Most animals kept in UK zoos and aquariums are not endangered, according to new research from the University of Brighton.

The study found that fewer than one in three animals held by members of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums belong to species considered at risk of extinction.

Researchers analysed 106,240 vertebrate animals across 113 zoos and aquariums, covering 2,629 species.

Just 28.5% of the animals recorded belonged to species classified as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.

By comparison, 58% belonged to species not considered globally threatened.

The researchers also found that populations of globally non-threatened species were, on average, more than twice the size of those considered threatened.

The findings raise questions about how zoos balance their role in conservation with the need to attract visitors and generate income.

Justin Lennon, lead researcher and PhD student at the University of Brighton, said: “In recent decades, zoos and aquariums have evolved from places focused primarily on displaying animals to organisations that contribute to conservation breeding, research, education and international efforts to protect wildlife.

“Our findings suggest there is still a gap between the species that are kept in collections and those that are most in need of conservation support.”

However, the researchers stress the findings do not mean zoos should only keep endangered animals.

Larger and more familiar species can attract visitors and generate income which helps fund conservation, research and education.

Mr Lennon said zoos could use the popularity of those animals to introduce visitors to lesser-known species facing greater threats.

He said: “But that doesn’t mean zoos aren’t doing valuable conservation work. Zoos need visitors, and visitors naturally want to see animals they recognise and connect with. Larger, more familiar species can also help generate income that supports conservation, research and education.

“The opportunity is to use that visitor appeal to introduce audiences to species they may never have heard of – and show them why they matter. The most effective collections could potentially do both: attract people through the wonder of wildlife while using that attention to support species and conservation programmes that genuinely need it.”

The study also examined the role zoos can play in protecting wildlife native to Britain.

Only 9% of the animals recorded were species native to the UK, while 2% belonged to species identified as national or regional conservation priorities.

Researchers identified 182 native UK vertebrate species being kept in zoo and aquarium collections, including 84 conservation priority species such as water voles, pine martens and great crested newts.

Among the species highlighted was the European wildcat.

Although it is classified as Least Concern globally, its population in Britain has fallen dramatically, with only a few hundred thought to remain in the wild.

The study found 69 European wildcats in BIAZA collections, which researchers say could represent an important captive population for a species becoming increasingly rare in Britain.

Mr Lennon said: “There is a strong case for zoos to continue looking at how they can support species that are threatened here in the UK, as well as those facing extinction globally.”

Researchers also found six species classified as Extinct in the Wild being kept in zoo and aquarium collections.

Those species no longer survive in their natural habitats, meaning captive populations can provide a vital safeguard against global extinction and could potentially support future reintroduction programmes.

Mr Lennon said: “Among the collections were species that no longer survive in the wild anywhere in the world. For those animals, maintaining a healthy captive population is not about putting on a good display for visitors – it is about keeping the species alive.”

The researchers say zoos and aquariums could build on their existing conservation work by increasing both the range and population sizes of threatened and locally important species in their collections.

Mr Lennon added: “Zoos are only one part of the wider response to biodiversity loss, and they cannot solve the conservation crisis alone. The evidence shows that important work is already happening. The challenge now is how collections can build on that and put even greater emphasis on the species that need us most.”

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