The UCL Faculty of Life Sciences and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) have long collaborated on research and education initiatives aimed at tackling global environmental challenges. Their partnership spans multiple disciplines, from biodiversity conservation to public health, creating a unique synergy between academic research and practical conservation efforts working together to create a more sustainable future. The Institute of Zoology (IoZ) is the research division of ZSL, dedicated to addressing global conservation challenges through cutting-edge science. Funded by Research England and partnering with UCL and the Royal Veterinary College, it focuses on five key areas: recovering threatened species, fostering biodiversity alongside human well-being, evidence-based conservation, mitigating climate change impacts, and ensuring wildlife health.
In my role as member of the Independent Scientific Advisory Board of the IoZ, I recently had the great pleasure of visiting ZSL and learning about their mission to save the Southern Darwin’s frog (Rhinoderma darwinii) from extinction. This small, endangered amphibian is native to the temperate rainforests of Chile and Argentina. Discovered by Charles Darwin during his voyage on the HMS Beagle, the species is known for its remarkable reproductive strategy: male frogs carry developing tadpoles inside their vocal sacs until they metamorphose into froglets. This unique form of parental care helps protect the young from predators and environmental threats. Unfortunately, populations of Southern Darwin’s frog have been devastated by habitat loss and the spread of the deadly chytrid fungus. IOZ, in collaboration with Chilean conservationists, have taken decisive action to safeguard the remaining populations. Their rescue effort has successfully relocated 53 frogs into bio-secure enclosures at London Zoo (a 7800-mile trip!), ensuring they are safe from disease and environmental threats. Even more promising, the initiative has led to the birth of 33 new froglets, offering hope for the species’ future. The long-term strategy involves establishing a breeding population, where experts can study the frogs and develop methods to bolster their numbers before returning them to the wild. This effort is part of a larger mission to restore the frog’s natural habitat and combat threats posed by deforestation and climate change, in the hope that the small but mighty amphibian may yet have a future in the wild.
Watch the short documentary A Leap of Hope | Rescuing Darwin’s frogs from extinction.
Form and Function: From living to non-living and back again
Last week our alumni were invited to attend an enlightening lecture by Yanlan Mao, Professor of Developmental Biophysics at UCL and Deputy Director of the Institute for the Physics of Living Systems. She explored the fundamental differences between living and non-living matter, highlighting how the biophysical properties of living organisms allow them to grow, adapt, and repair, thus creating sustainable ecosystems. In contrast, the materials we construct our world with —plastics, textiles, and concrete — fail to embody this balance. Drawing inspiration from nature, Yanlan discussed how the development of animate materials can lead to a more sustainable and regenerative future.
At the heart of both initiatives lies a deep commitment to sustainability. Whether it’s through the conservation of a critically endangered amphibian or the reimagining of how we design and interact with materials, these efforts underscore the importance of working with, rather than against, nature. By combining scientific discovery with practical action, we are paving the way toward a future where both biodiversity and human innovation contribute to a resilient, sustainable planet.
Professor Gail Taylor
Dean, UCL Faculty of Life Sciences