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Author: Kira Butters

As Volunteers’ Week unfolds, we’re taking a moment to shine a spotlight on the incredible individuals who give their time, energy, and passion to Dartmoor Zoo. We are so fortunate to have a dedicated team of volunteers who play a vital role in every aspect of zoo life, from caring for our animals and engaging with visitors, to keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes. Their commitment and love for wildlife and conservation helps make everything we do possible.

We’re also grateful to the corporate groups who have joined us for team-building and away days, volunteering their time to support the development of the zoo and contribute to our ongoing projects.

This week, we’re proud to celebrate these heroes who make a real difference every single day. In this blog, we’ll be highlighting five of our amazing volunteers, sharing their stories, and showcasing the unique contributions they make to our zoo family.

Shirley – Administration Volunteer

‘I have been volunteering at Dartmoor Zoo for the past 3 years.  I volunteer in Admin assisting the Head of Compliance and Resources with Health and Safety and general administration tasks, looking after the humans rather than the animals.  

Unlike most people I enjoy Health and Safety, so this is an ideal role for me. I also assist the Maintenance Team and the Keepers with admin. I love being retired but I missed using my little grey cells. At the zoo I find each day is different with a myriad of different tasks and projects which keeps me on my toes and makes me use my brain. I have done a lot of volunteering, but this is definitely my favourite. I feel very lucky that I found this very special place with very special people, it keeps me young (well youngish!) and keeps me smiling!’ 

 

Phil – Maintenance Volunteer 

‘I’ve been volunteering as a carpenter at Dartmoor Zoo for almost two years as part of the maintenance team. I enjoy working outside on the animal enclosures and have helped improve and extend some, whilst also building brand new enclosures. I also enjoy working on internal areas such as the Jaguar restaurant and improvement to the ticket offices. I love animals and the work I do not only provides me with opportunities to get close to them but also benefits the animals’ care and conservation. My volunteer work has improved my own wellbeing and made me feel part of a worthwhile team. My biggest achievement to date was being nominated for Volunteer of the Year when I had only been there for twelve months.‘

 

Charlotte – Public Engagement Volunteer

I’ve been a volunteer at Dartmoor zoo on the public engagement and education team for 2 years. I volunteer because I have a massive passion for animals, conservation efforts, and I want to help educate people about what they can do to help different species. I enjoy connecting with guests and sharing my passion for conservation with others. I also enjoy giving talks about the animals I love, answering questions and sparking curiosity about wildlife and the environment. Volunteering here has allowed me to gain so much confidence talking to people, improved my mental health and has also allowed me to gain some lifelong friendships.

 

Emily – Keeper Volunteer

‘I’ve been volunteering for nearly 4 years at Dartmoor Zoo, doing 4 to 5 days a week. I started volunteering with the public engagement team before I moved onto the keeper team. My role here is to help look after the animals from all different species. I help with the cleans, feed prep, and wellbeing checks. 

Some of my favourite animals to work with here are Red the peacock, Sydney the potoroo and our tapirs. The tapirs are my favourite animal to work with at Dartmoor Zoo, they are so affectionate and lovely to be around.

I enjoying being here as it’s a very calm place to be, and the staff and other volunteers are all so lovely. The animals are my therapy here and everyday is different. Living with autism has been hard for me, and I never thought I’d get to where I am now. Being here as a volunteer keeper has been incredible.’

 

Al – Public Engagement Volunteer

‘I’ve been volunteering at Dartmoor Zoo with the Public Engagement team for about two and a half years, I love it! For over 20 years, our family have visited the zoo, we’ve been members, adopted animals and our boys really enjoyed coming here – particularly to the ‘close encounters’ workshops and for Rangers.
I’ve always been passionate about conservation, love animals and after I retired from a career in the Royal Navy, I was keen to volunteer at the zoo.  I’ve loved learning about incredible animals from the amazing, dedicated team of people who volunteer and work here.  No two days are ever the same and there’s always something new to learn around this wonderful site!  I regularly give a variety of animal talks to the public (with my favourite, being the adorable Geladas) and really enjoy chatting to our lovely visitors from all around the world, of all ages.
Over the past year, I’ve also begun working as an Animal Experience Host, employed on an occasional basis, assisting delivering Rangers workshops hosting Junior Keepers for the day and other special events, which I always find hugely rewarding.  Additionally, I’ve recently joined our team of First Aiders who are on hand if needed and have attended a staff public engagement training course.’

As we’ve seen through the inspiring stories of our volunteers, each person brings something unique and valuable to Dartmoor Zoo. From animal care and public engagement to admin support and maintenance, our volunteers play an essential role in every part of zoo life. 

If you’ve been inspired by what you’ve read and would like to be part of our incredible volunteer community, we’d love to hear from you. There are so many ways to get involved, no matter your background, skills, or availability. 

Volunteer with us!

Every year on the third Friday of May, people around the world come together to recognise Endangered Species Day, a day to dedicate to raising awareness about the thousands of animals on the brink of extinction. This important day has encouraged individuals, communities and organisations to learn more about endangered animals and the environmental challenges they face. 

As of December 2023, 26,060 species have been classified as either Endangered or Critically Endangered, with 9,760 in the most severe category. This day serves as a vital reminder of the planets biodiversity crisis and invites us all to take part in protecting the natural world. 

 

How are animals classified?

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is the world’s most comprehensive system for assessing the risk of extinction faced by animals, plants, and fungi. It was created in 1964 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and is used by zoos and charities like ourselves, governments agencies, and scientists around the world. This list is a vital tool for understanding how healthy (or at risk) our planet’s wildlife really is. 

Each species is carefully assessed and placed into one of nine categories, ranging from “Not Evaluated” to “Extinct.” These categories reflect how likely a species is to disappear in the wild. The classification is based on several scientific criteria, such as how quickly the population is declining, how widespread the species is, and the threats it faces in the wild. Species listed as Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable are grouped together as “threatened” and are a high priority for conservation. Zoos like ours often play an important role in protecting these species, through breeding programmes and reintroductions to the wild. 

 

Animals at Dartmoor Zoo 

Here at Dartmoor Zoo, we are home to a number of animals that are sadly classified as Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable. In this blog, we’d like to help raise awareness by highlighting six of these incredible species and the challenges they face.

 

Amur Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis)

Amur leopards are the rarest big cats in the world, with fewer than 100 left in the wild, they are unfortunately classified on the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered. Their survival is threatened by poaching, habitat loss, fragmentation, and the illegal wildlife trade. As an apex predator, they play an important role in maintaining a healthy balance of species in their habitat, which influences the condition of their habitat’s ecosystem.  

At Dartmoor Zoo, we are proud to care for two Amur leopards, Freddo and Lena, who are part of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), a vital breeding effort aimed at safeguarding their future. Freddo arrived with us in November 2023, followed by Lena in August 2024. On April 29th 2025, we successfully introduced them together. We’re excited about the role they will play in helping secure the long-term survival of their species. 

 

Amur Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica)

Amur tigers, also known as Siberian tigers, are the largest big cat in the world, with the biggest on record weighing around 383kg. Native to the mountainous regions of the Russian Far East and parts of northern China, they share their habitat with the Amur Leopard. Both species face many of the same threats, including poaching, habitat loss from logging and forest fires, and human tiger conflict. As their natural range continues to shrink, Amur tigers and Amur leopards are more likely to come into conflict with each other. They would compete for limited territory and prey in increasingly fragmented landscape. 

In the 1940s, Amur tigers came dangerously close to extinction, with their wild population dropping to as few as 30 individuals. Numbers did decline again in the 1990s, but have since stabilised around 400 to 600, thanks to the efforts of scientific, non-governmental and government organisations. Although this progress is good, Amur tigers are classified as Endangered and continued conservation work remains essential for this species.  

Here at Dartmoor Zoo, we are home to Dragan, our 10-year-old Amur tiger. Dragan plays a vital role as an ambassador for his species, helping us raise awareness about the threats and the urgent need for conservation. 

 

Black Beauty Stick Insect (Peruphasma schultei)

Black beauty stick insects, also known as the golden-eyed stick insect due to their eye colour, are a rare species native to the Cordillera del Condor region of northern Peru, in an area of forest that is less than five square kilometres. They were first discovered in 2005 by German wildlife rescue and management specialist Rainer Schulte. When threatened, they use impressive defence strategies. They flash their bright red wings to startle predators and can also spray a foul-smelling chemical, which may irritate the skin and eyes of potential threats. 

Their survival is threatened by habitat loss due to deforestation, the spread of invasive species, and the pet trade. Although classified as Critically Endangered in the wild, they are now commonly bred in captivity. While this has helped grow their numbers in human care, it raises concerns about the long-term impact on wild populations and the ethics of trading endangered species. Protecting and raising awareness of their native habitat remains vital to ensuring their survival in the wild. 

 

European Adder (Vipera berus)

The European adder is one of three native snake species to the UK, and as a viper, they are the only venomous UK snake. However, do not be afraid of them as adders are not aggressive and only strike in self-defence. Furthermore, we have readily available anti-venom for same day delivery UK wide, and our last recorded death by adder bite was 50 years ago. 

In Europe, the European adder is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, however, here in the UK the adder is considered Endangered. Populations are rapidly declining due to habitat loss, fragmentation, climate change and human disturbance. It has unfortunately been predicted that adders in the UK could become extinct by 2032, despite being protected by the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act. 

At Dartmoor Zoo, we are proud to care for two young adders who were born in August 2023. We hope by giving people a chance to see and learn about these misunderstood reptiles, it will raise awareness and inspire action to protect an Endangered UK native species.  

 

Egyptian Tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni)

Egyptian tortoises are the smallest species of tortoise found in the Northern Hemisphere, with the average weight of an adult being between156g – 354g. To put their size into perspective, it would take around 400 Egyptian tortoises to equal the weight of just one Galapagos tortoise.  

Native to the arid coastal deserts of Egypt, Libya, and parts of Israel, they are perfectly adapted to harsh desert environments. However, they are now Critically Endangered, with an estimated wild population of just 7,470, which is still decreasing to this day. They face threats such as habitat loss due to agricultural expansion, overgrazing, and the illegal pet trade.   

At Dartmoor Zoo, we have our resident Egyptian Tortoise, King Tut, who turns 12 years old in June. Despite his small size, King Tut plays an important role in raising awareness of the challenges and the importance of protecting their habitat.  

 

East African Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum)

The stars of the African aviary, our two stunning East African grey crowned cranes are a pair called Derek and Zuri. These Endangered birds are considered so iconic – likely for their amazing crown – in their region that they became the national bird of Uganda! Furthermore, local superstitions claim the cranes are symbols of wealth, good fortune, and longevity. Despite this recognition, grey crowned cranes face many threats such as habitat loss due to agriculture, being captured to become status symbol pets, and poisoning by pesticides.  

The agriculture causing the most habitat loss is rice farming, and since locals see no benefit from the cranes, they are reluctant to conserve land. Future plans will hopefully improve wetlands to support both farmers livelihoods and conservation. Another huge threat to this species is poisoning. Even though the cranes are not consuming the rice, they are in fact pests to maize farms, leading to some farmers to poison them. Luckily, a lot of the locals respect the cranes and will opt for other methods such as having someone to stand guard. Conservationists work with these farmers to encourage scarecrows and alternative protection strategies to reduce crane casualties. 

Due to these threats, their global population has fallen by 75% in the past 40 years. Although their numbers are estimated at 58,000 to 77,000 individuals globally, the rapid decline is a cause for concern and gives them the Endangered status to hopefully protect them from further loss.  

 

Our Impact

Dartmoor Zoo is committed to supporting both global and local conservation efforts. 

In 2024, we donated a portion of our ticket sales to Wildcats Conservation Alliance (WCA) – a vital initiative led by Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and the Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation. This project calls for zoos and public alike to support wild tigers and Amur leopards. The WCA helps to protect these animals on the front line through anti-poaching patrols, population and health monitoring, conflict mitigation, and community education. Our participation in the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), with hopes for a successful breeding from our Amur Leopards, Freddo and Lena, will also directly support global conservation goals for this species. 

Closer to home, we are so passionate about raising awareness of many threatened species in our care. Our team delivers daily animal talks to help educate and inspire our visitors of all ages. They highlight the challenges facing wildlife across the world and encourage positive action, such as being mindful of where our food and everyday products come from. 

We also run a wide range of educational workshops and programmes for the younger generation, including Rangers Academy, Conservation Careers, Home Education Days and more. These experiences connect people with nature in an active and engaging way, and we hope to inspire the next generation to care deeply about our planet and the animals we share it with. 

 

What can you do to help?

There are many ways you can help support endangered species on this special day. An easy one to do from home is simply building up your knowledge on the subject, reading this blog is a good start. With around 26,000 species classified as endangered, your favourite animal could be on the IUCN Red List.

Another great way to help endangered species is to support Dartmoor Zoo. We offer lots of ways to get involved including adoptions for endangered animals such as our Amur leopards, tiger, and our tortoises. We also offer bespoke adoptions so you can choose another one of our special endangered animals such as the golden Mantella frog, grey crowned crane, our adders, or even the Lau banded iguana. Alternatively, you could send donations towards feeding our animals or book an experience to meet our Amur tiger! All your kind donations help us continue the vital conservation and breeding projects for our endangered species. 

Additionally, challenging negative stigma around traditionally “scary” animals such as our stick insects can help remove unnecessary barriers holding back their conservation. All animals are important to keep ecosystems balanced! 

Finally, staying mindful of your consumerism is a big help. Unfortunately, a lot of products such as meats contribute to the main issue that endangered species face: habitat loss. For example, a lot of land is cleared for cattle ranching or goat and sheep farms. Similarly, you should never buy exotic animal products such as leopard or tiger skins as this creates a demand for poachers to hunt and kill these endangered species for profit. 

Hopefully these ideas will get you thinking about how you can support your favourite endangered species and celebrate Endangered Species Day! 

 

Sources:

https://www.iucnredlist.org/ | https://conservewildcats.org/ | https://www.tortoisetrust.org/guests/tortoisecare/species.html | Dartmoor Zoo Animal Pack | https://scotlandsthemepark.com/attractions/amazonia/animals/invertebrates/black-beauty-stick-insect/ | https://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/news/arrival-of-endangered-east-african-grey-crowned-crane | https://www.dartmoorzoo.org.uk/education/ | https://www.arc-trust.org/adder

 

Be Kind to Spiders Week is held during the first week of April and is dedicated to appreciating and raising awareness of these wonderful eight-legged creatures. Many people have a fear of spiders, and we want to help shift the perception and reduce irrational fears, while showing how vital they are to our ecosystem.

 

Why are spiders important? 

Spiders play a vital role in maintaining our biodiversity by controlling insect populations, making them essential for a balanced ecosystem. 

They can help manage large insect populations, eliminate invasive species and reduce the number of pests that threaten crops. Without spiders, the crops we rely on could be severely damaged. Spiders also contribute to pollination and aid in the decomposition of dead animals and plants. This creates fertile soil, which is essential for healthy crops. They also help to regulate other pest populations, such as mosquitoes, flies and moths, which can reduce the spread of diseases like malaria and dengue fever. 

 

8 common spiders you are likely to see in the UK 

Spiders are a common sight in the UK, but there’s no need to worry, they are not deadly! You may have seen some of these species before:

  1. Garden Spider (Araneus Diadematus) – A familiar sight from summer to early winter, known for its large, intricate webs.
  2. Giant House Spider (Tegenaria gigantea) – Often found indoors, especially in autumn, but prefers to stay hidden.
  3. Zebra Jumping Spider (Salticus scenicus) – A small but agile spider with distinctive black-and-white stripes.
  4. Money Spider (Linyphiidae family) – Tiny and harmless, often associated with good luck.
  5. Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis) – Common in gardens, known for carrying its eggs in a silk sac.
  6. False Widow Spider (Steatoda nobilis) – The UK’s most venomous spider, but not dangerous to humans.
  7. Cucumber Spider (Araniella species) – A bright green, garden-dwelling spider that blends in with leaves.
  8. Cellar Spider (Pholcidae) – Often found in dark corners, with long, delicate legs. Also known as Daddy Long-Legs.

 

Most of the spiders you will come across prefer to stay out of sight, making their homes in gardens and hidden corners of houses. Depending on the season, you might notice more of these eight-legged visitors, but do not worry, they pose little threat to humans. 

There’s no need to be afraid, none of the spiders in the UK have a deadly bite! While a few species can bite, the effects are usually mild and nothing to worry about. The false widow spider is the most venomous in the UK, but even its bite isn’t strong enough to cause serious harm. Despite its scary name, it’s far less dangerous than the black widow, which does not live in the UK. Rest assured, the spiders you encounter in the UK are more beneficial to your environment than harmful to you.

While you might not love sharing your space with them, there’s no need to fear these fascinating creatures.

5 fun facts about spiders!

  • You can find spiders on every continent, except for Antarctica. 
  • There are over 50,000 species of spiders that have been recorded so far. 
  • Spiders have tiny paws called tarsi, which are part of their legs, they’re quite adorable.  
  • Spiders eat more insects annually than birds and bats combined. 
  • Some spiders look exactly like ants. In fact, there are around 100 species of spiders than mimic ants to avoid predators and to hunt easily. 

 

Show some love for spiders!

Spiders may not be the most popular creatures, but they play a crucial role in our world. This Be Kind to Spiders Week, take a moment to appreciate these tiny pest controllers and the balance they bring to nature.

If you find a spider in your home and don’t want it there, remember there’s no need to harm it. Simply and gently guide it into a container and release it outside. Every creature has its place, and spiders deserve kindness too.

Small actions can help change perceptions, so next time you see a spider, remember it’s more friend than foe!