In a first for a UK zoo, Chester Zoo joins Cheshire Science Corridor to share its worldwide work on conservation science. Tony McDonough reports

Chester Zoo is joining Cheshire Science Corridor in what is believed to be a first for a UK zoo.

Located on the edge of the Wirral peninsula, Chester Zoo is one of the UK’s leading tourist attractions. It has also earned a formidable reputation for its work on conservation science in multiple projects all over the world.

It has now joined the Cheshire and Warrington Science Corridor. This links together national and international research facilities and science-based businesses. It provides opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

Newly-forged links between the zoo and businesses and organisations in the Science Corridor will allow for conservation research to take place, adding significant value to the region’s science and technology offering.

Dr Simon Dowell, conservation science and policy director at Chester Zoo, said: “Chester Zoo is already a major player in the field of international conservation science.

“At a time when species face extinction on an unimaginable scale, we’re making a substantial contribution to the task of preventing extinction and restoring biodiversity.

“Over the last decade, as a mere snapshot of the zoo’s scientific work, we’ve worked with 481 institutions across 38 countries in Europe.

“We have provided more than 1,500 evidence-based recommendations, trained 50 PhD students in partnership with 15 different UK universities and collected and analysed more than 110,000 biological samples to give us fresh insight into countless species.

“And we use our knowledge and expertise to influence government environmental policy and are leading efforts to protect and restore vital habitat for wildlife, both globally and here in Cheshire.

Cheshire Science Corridor is well on the way towards becoming an internationally renowned science and technology cluster. It is focused on life sciences, net zero, nuclear and high value manufacturing.

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Clare Hayward, chair of Cheshire and Warrington LEP, added: “Bringing together our strengths in human and animal life sciences across the public and private sectors, the zoo will also add significant value to the region’s science and technology offering.

“It will particularly strengthen our capabilities in endangered species breeding programmes, conservation and zoonotic diseases that can cross over into human populations.”