HRH The Princess Royal marks 20th anniversary of vital chimpanzee conservation partnership
Posted 7 Nov 2025 in Edinburgh Zoo
HRH The Princess Royal visited Budongo Trail, an innovative chimpanzee habitat situated at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo, to mark the 20th anniversary of the wildlife conservation charity’s partnership with Budongo Conservation Field Station (BCFS).
The charity’s royal patron visited the Budongo Research Unit (BRU), run in partnership with the University of St Andrews, which aims to advance scientific knowledge of chimpanzee behaviour. Her Royal Highness met chimpanzee team leader Callum Gibson and Professor Josep Call while taking part in a game with the chimps, before feeding the chimps from the building’s balcony.
Dr Helen Senn, RZSS’s head of conservation, delivered a talk on the exemplary work carried out by BCFS and RZSS, relating to the study of the forest’s chimpanzees, removal of illegal snares, treatment of injured animals, and monitoring of their health. HRH ended her visit by unveiling a plaque to commemorate the visit.
