ZSL #033 Putting reptiles on the map: ZSL Science for reptilian conservation

Reptiles - lizards, snakes, turtles and crocodilians – make up almost one third of all land vertebrate species on Earth, and also occur in many marine and freshwater systems. Yet despite their amazing diversity, reptiles remain hugely underrepresented in conservation research and action, when compared to mammals, birds, and even amphibians. In this episode, our host Ellie Darbey finds out from four fantastic reptile experts how this is changing through increased global efforts to put reptiles on the conservation map. What key advances in species assessments have already made an impact for reptile conservation? How does ZSL’s science and conservation work directly contribute to protecting reptiles in the wild? And wait…where is Monni?

Guests:

• Dr Monika Böhm, Freshwater Coordinator, Indianapolis Zoo Global Center for Species Survival.
• Dr Rikki Gumbs, EDGE Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Zoological Society of London.
• Emmanuel Amoah, Executive Director, Threatened Species Conservation Alliance (THRESCOAL).
• Benjamin Tapley, Head of the Reptile Team, Zoological Society of London.

Overview

01:38 – Ellie welcomes the first guest, Dr Monni Böhm, to discuss how assessments like the IUCN Sampled Red List Index and Global Assessment of Reptile Distributions are essential for advancing the agenda for reptilian conservation.

14:30 – Dr Rikki Gumbs joins the podcast to talk about the reptilian Tree of Life, and the purpose and impact of ZSL’s EDGE of Existence programme.

24:08 – Emmanuel Amoah discusses the aims of Ghanaian NGO, THRESCOAL, set up following his EDGE Fellowship, and how community-led conservation can be used to help protect the West African slender-snouted crocodile.

33:32 – Ellie is joined by the final guest, Benjamin Tapley, who provides an overview of the contribution of zoos to conservation in the wild, using the example of the Big-Headed Turtle project in Vietnam.

46:25 – All four guests provide their recommendations for the next step in reptile conservation.

Resources

• The IUCN Sampled Red List Index: zsl.org/global-biodiversity-monitoring/indicators-and-assessments-unit/the-sampled-red-list-index
• Global Reptile Assessment: natureserve.org/conservation-tools/projects/global-reptile-assessment
• The Global Assessment of Reptile Distributions: gardinitiative.org/
• Indianapolis Zoo: indianapoliszoo.com/conservation/
• ZSL’s EDGE of Existence Programme: edgeofexistence.org/
• Imperial College London’s Grantham Institute: https://granthaminstitute.com/
• THRESCOAL: threscoal.org/
• Emmanuel’s ZSL EDGE project page: edgeofexistence.org/fellow/emmanuel-amoah/
• ZSL London Zoo Reptile House: zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/reptile-house
• ZSL online Science and Conservation Event: zsl.org/science/whats-on/putting-reptiles-on-the-map-zsl-science-for-reptilian-conservation
• Related ZSL Wild Science podcast episodes: zsl.org/zsl-wild-science-podcast
  • #007: Ten years on the EDGE of Existence
  • #010: Species in the red: behind the scenes of the IUCN Red List
  • #015: Biodiversity indicators: getting the measure of biodiversity and what it all means