A Marwell Zoo conservationist has contributed to a ground-breaking study about species that have been declared extinct in the wild.

The paper, which explores the potential to bring animals and plants back from the brink of extinction with the help of zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens and seedbanks, was published in the academic journal Science on February 24.

Studying 95 species of animals and plants that have only been seen in zoos and botanical institutions since 1950, the paper examines the potential for returning them to the wild.

Examples of this having been achieved successfully include the scimitar-horned oryx, which Marwell was instrumental in reintroducing to North Africa.

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As well as donating animals to a trial reintroduction project in Bou Hedma National Park, Tunisia, in the mid-1980s, Marwell has been involved in three subsequent reintroductions.

Dr Tania Gilbert, Marwell Wildlife conservation biologist, said: “Conservation zoos are engaged in concerted efforts to save and restore 'Extinct in the Wild species'.

“This is demonstrated by the successes with Arabian oryx and Przewalski’s horses, both of which were reintroduced to habitat in their former range after they had become extinct in the wild.

“Our continued efforts to save species can lead to incredible results, but we need political and financial support to achieve this.”

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Of the 95 species extinct in the wild, 38 are animal species, four of which can be found at Marwell. They are partula mooreana, partula rosea, partula varia and scimitar-horned oryx.

Marwell Wildlife is also working with 13 additional species which are critically endangered with declining wild populations, including Burmese mountain tortoises, Red-ruffed lemurs, and Swift parrots. These species are at risk of becoming extinct in the wild if the decline of the wild population is not reversed.

The zoo knows that nature can recover with sound, evidence-based conservation initiatives and the paper is a foundation on which to build conservation action for the world’s most vulnerable species.