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Zoo News
Darwin’s Discoveries Celebrated in Zoo Talk
As part of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s commitment to education and the
Darwin200 celebrations, Edinburgh Zoo will be hosting a talk on the evolutionist, Charles Darwin’s
time spent on the Falkland Islands.
The talk entitled ‘Charles Darwin and the Falkland Islands’ will take place at 7.30pm on Thursday 18 September in the Education Centre of Edinburgh Zoo. In this talk, Dr. Phil Stone of the British Geological Survey aims to show what Darwin achieved during his visits to the Falkland Islands, and how his experiences influenced the subsequent development of his scientific theories.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), which owns Edinburgh Zoo, has a particular interest in the discoveries Darwin made whilst on the Falklands. Since 2004 RZSS has been collaborating with Falklands Conservation, providing both funding and staffing for several conservation initiatives, including in particular, work to protect the penguin.
Sandie Robb, Senior Education Officer at RZSS said:
“Charles Darwin’s ideas were much influenced by his experience aboard HMS Beagle and his voyage and exploration of the Galapagos Islands, but his time spent on the Falkland Islands is often forgotten. We invite visitors to come along to learn more about Darwin’s time spent on these special islands.”
This talk is part of a national programme of events which the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is taking part in to celebrate Charles Darwin’s scientific ideas and their impact around his two hundredth birthday.
Advanced booking is essential for this event. To find out more information or to book a place please visit edinburghzoo.org.uk or call 0131 314 0350.
for further info: Aoife O’Sullivan, Marketing Assistant 0131 314 0311
Editor’s Notes
About Darwin200
- Darwin200 was launched by the National History Museum and is a national programme of events celebrating Charles Darwin’s scientific ideas and their impact around his two hundredth birthday on 12 February 2009.
- The celebrations span over two additional Darwin anniversaries – 150 years since Darwin and Wallace announced the theory that rocked science and society on 1 July 2008, and 150 years since On the Origin of Species was published on 24 November 2009.
- Cost £4.50, Members £4.00
About RZSS and Falklands Conservation
- RZSS has been collaborating with Falklands Conservation for a number of years and has provided both funding and staff for several initiatives in the Falkland Islands.
- These initiatives have included financing a project protecting penguin nest sites, conducting the most recent census of breeding penguin colonies and the striated caracara a local bird of prey. More recently RZSS hosted a UK-based workshop on the plight of the rockhopper penguin.
- The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has donated over £55,000 since 2004 to in the Falklands Conservation.
About Education at Edinburgh Zoo
- The Education Centre at the Zoo opened in 1976 and has achieved success by not only focusing on educational activities in a classroom setting, but on making the most of the open, interactive and stimulating environment of the Zoo surroundings.
- The Zoo’s education programme focuses on the importance of living animals, and also includes topics on sustainability, conservation, zoology and other environmental issues.
About Edinburgh Zoo
- Edinburgh Zoo is owned by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, a registered charity, charity no SC004064.
- RZSS was founded by visionary lawyer Thomas Gillespie. The Society was set up ‘to promote, facilitate and encourage the study of zoology and kindred subjects and to foster and develop amongst the people an interest in and knowledge of animal life’.
- Edinburgh Zoo welcomes over 650,000 visitors a year, and is one of Scotland’s top paid tourist attractions.
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