Rebecca Lewis

This week I’m in Kerteminde for the International Bioacoustics Congress 2025. Looking forward to hearing about all things sound over the next five days! If anyone is interested in zoo sound, come find me!

Understanding and mitigating the impact of the invasive Asian toad on Malagasy amphibian biodiversity at Manchester Metropolitan University on FindAPhD.com PhD Project - Understanding and mitigating the impact of the invasive Asian toad on Malagasy amphibian biodiversity at Manchester Metropolitan University, listed on FindAPhD.com

New PhD alert!

This funded PhD project will look at the effect of invasive Asian toads on Malagasy amphibian biodiversity, with a focus on acoustic communication - at @chesterzoosci.bsky.social and @manmetuni.bsky.social

Please get in touch for more information!

www.findaphd.com/phds/project...

Congratulations to all the award winners from this years conference, and thank you to all the speakers and poster presenters! #BIAZARC2025

Up first we have Josh Wright who’s talking about conservation genetics of Javan green magpie @manmetuni.bsky.social

Andrew Mooney @dublinzoo.bsky.social highlights the role of zoos in native species conservation #BIAZARC2025

Final talk of the session, Olivia Murrell @chesterzoo.bsky.social @manmetuni.bsky.social outlines the conservation potential of nepenthes (carnivorous pitcher plants) in zoos and botanical gardens #BIAZARC2025

Amy Humphreys @chesterzoo.bsky.social shows us that contraception is an important tool for population management of banteng in zoos #BIAZARC2025

Senior Chester Zoo staff from the Science Department delivered the plenary, showcasing their science toolkit and a case study on how they it is used in elephant conservation, both in the zoo and in the wild #BIAZARC2025

The first speed talk session covered jellyfish lightning, wild dog visitor effects (with Bayesian stats!), baboon contraception and cassowary calls. A great showcase of the variety of research that goes on in BIAZA Zoos #BIAZARC2025

We’re underway at the 2025 BIAZA Research Conference at Chester Zoo. Looking forward to two days packed with zoo science! #BIAZARC2025

Dr Simon Dowell, Science & Policy Director, welcomed delegates with a history of Chester Zoo and how science has underpinned many of the developments and conservation activities #BIAZARC2025

We are delighted to welcome delegates to the 2025 BIAZA Research Conference here at Chester Zoo. Follow along for updates #BIAZARC2025

Hullabaloo at the zoo: aligning acoustic research with the goals of the conservation zoo The role of zoos has changed substantially since animals were first kept in captivity; modern conservation zoos are now international centres for the conservation of biodiversity. In 2023, an updat...

NEW PAPER!! We synthesised a wide range of acoustic research applicable in zoos, exploring how sound contributes to zoos’ goals.
We outlined many opportunities for acoustic researchers to align with the zoo community to further the study of sound in zoos.

www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

A group photo showing about 20 women in Chester Zoo lanyards and jackets standing in a group. They are smiling up at the camera.

It is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 🧪

Our science and conservation teams wouldn't be what they are without all the wonderful women who stepped into STEM.

BIAZA Research Conference | Biaza The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) is the professional body representing the best zoos and aquariums in the UK and Ireland.

Abstract submission now open for the 2025 BIAZA Research Conference at Chester Zoo (July 8th and 9th). Come share your zoo and aquarium science! Submissions close March 28th biaza.org.uk/events/detai...

You’ll work within our team and learning about diverse topics such as population monitoring, viability and sustainability, best practice for species husbandry; and population reintroductions or reinforcement. Our projects contribute to real-world species conservation across a wide range of taxa!

Population Biology Science Industry Placement :Chester

Are you an undergraduate student looking for an Industry Placement Year?

We are looking for someone to join us @chesterzoosci.bsky.social for up to a year as our Population Biology placement!

Interested? Apply here 👇

www.jobtrain.co.uk/chesterzoo/J...

Studying the zoo soundscape can provide important information to aid management decisions. However, the soundscapes is still one of the least studied aspects of the zoo, so further work is needed to determine how sound differs within and between zoos to improve our understanding.

We used multiple measures, including sound pressure levels and acoustic indices. Different measures provided different information, allowing us to build a more well-rounded picture of soundscape changes.

Assessing the effect of zoo closure on the soundscape using multiple acoustic indicators The zoo soundscape has important implications for animal welfare, management, and conservation. However, despite its importance, the zoo soundscape is…

NEW PAPER! We examined the zoo soundscape and how it was affected by zoo closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. There were clear differences during the closure period, but the effects differed across the aviaries examined.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...