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Chester Zoo has joined two other major zoos to found and forge a pioneering cryopreservation conservation partnership.
In a bold step for global wildlife conservation, Toronto Zoo (Canada), Chester Zoo (United Kingdom) and Dublin Zoo (Ireland) today announced a strategic partnership to expand efforts in wildlife cryobanking.
Representatives from the zoos met at the IUCN World Conservation Congress, one of the most significant events in global conservation, which is currently underway in Abi Dhabi.
The event is an opportunity for Chester Zoo to showcase its field projects, science and education work to key colleagues in the conservation world, with delegates speaking on panels and delivering workshops on species survival and habitat protection.
This collaborative cryopreservation initiative aims to safeguard the living genetic material of both native and globally threatened species, strengthening future conservation and restoration efforts worldwide.
Live cell cryobanking involves preserving genetic material, such as sperm, oocytes (eggs), embryos, tissue, and cultured cells, from animals. When stored in ultra-low temperatures, cells can remain viable for decades, allowing conservationists to support future breeding programs by maintaining or restoring genetic diversity.
Unlike sample storage for DNA, live cell cryobanking can be used in assisted reproductive technologies, such as artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization. These approaches are especially valuable for declining populations at risk of inbreeding due to small size or isolation.
Dr Sue Walker, Head of Science at Chester Zoo, said: “The use of cryopreservation is an actively growing field. Species survival depends on thriving and genetically healthy populations, and by building cryopreservation to support conservation efforts, it is becoming an effective tool in the fight against extinction. Alongside Toronto Zoo and Dublin Zoo, the goal of this international partnership is to support each other and our global zoo community with effective biobanking initiatives.”
These three leading zoos strongly believe conservation doesn’t happen in isolation. It is most successfully achieved through partnerships, by working together, supporting each other and striving toward shared goals. This agreement is a tangible example of what the zoo community can contribute to conservation science, and we believe that the field will only become more collaborative in future.
Dr Gabriela Mastromonaco, Toronto Zoo Chief Science Officer, said: “Cryobanking represents one of the more powerful tools in conservation today. By preserving living cells from endangered and at-risk species, we can help ensure their genetic diversity is not lost. It is necessary for accredited zoos to prepare for a future where these genetic resources may be critical to securing species survival.”
The multi-zoo alliance will focus on sharing best practices, enhancing cryopreservation techniques across species, and coordinating regional and international efforts. The partnership also aligns with broader global initiatives, including the IUCN Animal Biobanking for Conservation Specialist Group. Additionally, the zoos will work together to raise awareness of the potential of wildlife cryobanking among conservationists, academic researchers, and the public.
Dr Andrew Mooney, Senior Conservation and Science Officer, Dublin Zoo, said: “This partnership with Toronto Zoo, a global leader in biobanking and cryopreservation, is a vital step to secure a genetically healthy future for wildlife, both in Ireland and globally. Together we can preserve the genetic diversity of wild species, locally and internationally, helping to ensure populations remain healthy and resilient in a rapidly changing world for generations to come. This collaboration directly supports Dublin Zoo’s Conservation Master Plan and goal to establish Ireland’s first National Wildlife Biobanking Hub. By aligning our efforts internationally, we can amplify the impact of our local initiatives.”
This partnership reflects the growing role of accredited zoos as conservation leaders and showcases how innovation and collaboration can drive solutions to the planet’s most pressing biodiversity challenges. This unified effort signals a major leap forward in preserving Earth’s biodiversity, ensuring that critical genetic material is accessible for research, restoration, and resilience now and for generations to come.
Dr Gabriela Mastromonaco, Toronto Zoo Chief Science Officer, Dr Sue Walker, Head of Science at Chester Zoo and Dr Andrew Mooney, Senior Conservation and Science Officer, Dublin Zoo
One of the world’s rarest pigs is born at Chester Zoo
The birth of a Visayan warty pig is celebrated by keepers at the charity zoo
As few as 200 of the rare animals remain in the wild
Species is on the brink of extinction from habitat loss and hunting
Piglet is huge boost to breeding programme that is working to safeguard their future
Conservationists at Chester Zoo are working in the Philippines to help prevent their extinction.
One of the world’s rarest pig species has been born at Chester Zoo.
The arrival of a Visayan warty piglet has given cause for celebration for keepers at the charity zoo, with as few as 200 now remaining in the wild.
The male newcomer arrived to mum Gwen (9) and dad Tre (10) on 16 November 2021 and now joins a family of five.
These forest-dwelling pigs are listed as critically endangered by the International Union of Conservation for Nature (IUCN).
The species has suffered a drastic population decline in the wild. Agricultural expansion and logging have devastated vast amounts of their native habitat in the Philippines, and they are also hunted for their meat and persecuted for raiding crops – making them one of the rarest wild pigs on the planet.
The latest addition to the breeding programme will be an ambassador for his relatives in the wild.
Mark Brayshaw, Curator of Mammals at Chester Zoo, said:
“It’s fantastic to see the birth of any animal, but when they’re critically endangered and fighting for survival in the wild, it makes it even more special. Baby piglets are incredibly energetic and playful, and so the whole group will certainly be kept very busy over the coming months!
“Visayan warty pigs aren’t just your average pig. During breeding season, males develop a long, protruding mane from their head, giving them a mohawk-like hairstyle. Both mum Gwen and dad Tre are named after punk rockers Gwen Stefani and Tre Cool as a result of this iconic look, and I’m sure it won’t be long until we’ve decided a suitable name to follow in that tradition.
“Every piglet is a vital addition to the breeding programme and will help champion the plight of this fascinating, charismatic species.”
Chester Zoo’s latest arrival is vitally important to the endangered species breeding programme which is looking to maintain a genetically viable population of Visayan warty pigs in zoos around Europe.
The Visayan warty pig was recently recognised as a species in its own right. Little is currently known about these animals in the wild and experts say that by working closely with them in the zoo, they can transfer knowledge to further support the animals in the wild.
Stuart Young, Regional Field Programme Manager for South East Asian Islands at Chester Zoo, explains:
“Working with Visayan warty pigs in the zoo gives us the opportunity to study these animals in a way we never would have been able to in the wild.
“However, the important knowledge gathered here at the zoo is then shared with our partners at the Talarak Foundation in Negros, the Philippines, and has helped with the reintroduction of 19 Visayan warty pigs back into the wild. The pigs were reintroduced to Bayawan Nature Reserve in Negros in July 2020, where the animals had been extinct for more than 10 years. We’re absolutely delighted to reveal that the population is now thriving and 10 piglets have been born since they were rehomed.
“Although pigs can sometimes be overlooked, and don’t gather the attention that other bigger mammals receive, they play a really important role in the ecosystem - which is why we must continue to prevent their extinction.”
Visayan warty pigs live in small social groups and communicate with squeaks, grunts and chirrups. Piglets take their mother’s milk for up to six months, moving on to a varied diet that includes roots, tubers and fruits.
Chester Zoo was the first zoo in the UK to care for Visayan warty pigs, a species that gets its name from three pairs of fleshy warts on the boar’s face.
The breeding centre in the Philippines, and the nature reserve where the pigs were released, have recently been hit by a deadly typhoon causing damage to fences and buildings. Chester Zoo is supporting the Talarak Foundation with repair costs, but extra funding is needed.One of the world’s rarest pig species has been born at Chester Zoo.
The arrival of a Visayan warty piglet has given cause for celebration for keepers at the charity zoo, with as few as 200 now remaining in the wild.
The male newcomer arrived to mum Gwen (9) and dad Tre (10) on 16 November 2021 and now joins a family of five.
These forest-dwelling pigs are listed as critically endangered by the International Union of Conservation for Nature (IUCN).
The species has suffered a drastic population decline in the wild. Agricultural expansion and logging have devastated vast amounts of their native habitat in the Philippines, and they are also hunted for their meat and persecuted for raiding crops – making them one of the rarest wild pigs on the planet.
The latest addition to the breeding programme will be an ambassador for his relatives in the wild.
Mark Brayshaw, Curator of Mammals at Chester Zoo, said:
“It’s fantastic to see the birth of any animal, but when they’re critically endangered and fighting for survival in the wild, it makes it even more special. Baby piglets are incredibly energetic and playful, and so the whole group will certainly be kept very busy over the coming months!
“Visayan warty pigs aren’t just your average pig. During breeding season, males develop a long, protruding mane from their head, giving them a mohawk-like hairstyle. Both mum Gwen and dad Tre are named after punk rockers Gwen Stefani and Tre Cool as a result of this iconic look, and I’m sure it won’t be long until we’ve decided a suitable name to follow in that tradition.
“Every piglet is a vital addition to the breeding programme and will help champion the plight of this fascinating, charismatic species.”
Chester Zoo’s latest arrival is vitally important to the endangered species breeding programme which is looking to maintain a genetically viable population of Visayan warty pigs in zoos around Europe.
The Visayan warty pig was recently recognised as a species in its own right. Little is currently known about these animals in the wild and experts say that by working closely with them in the zoo, they can transfer knowledge to further support the animals in the wild.
Stuart Young, Regional Field Programme Manager for South East Asian Islands at Chester Zoo, explains:
“Working with Visayan warty pigs in the zoo gives us the opportunity to study these animals in a way we never would have been able to in the wild.
“However, the important knowledge gathered here at the zoo is then shared with our partners at the Talarak Foundation in Negros, the Philippines, and has helped with the reintroduction of 19 Visayan warty pigs back into the wild. The pigs were reintroduced to Bayawan Nature Reserve in Negros in July 2020, where the animals had been extinct for more than 10 years. We’re absolutely delighted to reveal that the population is now thriving and 10 piglets have been born since they were rehomed.
“Although pigs can sometimes be overlooked, and don’t gather the attention that other bigger mammals receive, they play a really important role in the ecosystem - which is why we must continue to prevent their extinction.”
Visayan warty pigs live in small social groups and communicate with squeaks, grunts and chirrups. Piglets take their mother’s milk for up to six months, moving on to a varied diet that includes roots, tubers and fruits.
Chester Zoo was the first zoo in the UK to care for Visayan warty pigs, a species that gets its name from three pairs of fleshy warts on the boar’s face.
The breeding centre in the Philippines, and the nature reserve where the pigs were released, have recently been hit by a deadly typhoon causing damage to fences and buildings. Chester Zoo is supporting the Talarak Foundation with repair costs, but extra funding is needed.
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