Latest news with #ZSL
The Guardian
7 days ago
- The Guardian
Week in wildlife: blue waterfowl, a rescued baby orangutan and a real-life Pikachu
Ahead by a nose … a rabbit chases a hare in a surprising turn of events in Anglesey, UK Photograph: Stuart Benson/SWNS Rangers at Lewa wildlife conservancy in Kenya prepare to notch the ear of Quintus, a tranquillised three-year-old-male white rhino. They are carrying out the operation on 40 sub-adult rhinos, hoping it will help them identify individuals and monitor the species Photograph: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters A mother and baby humpback whale in Kiama, New South Wales, Australia. Humpback whales give birth while migrating – and carry on travelling with their babies, new research reveals. Researchers were puzzled as baby whales were spotted in unexpected places along Australia's 'humpback highway' between Queensland and Antarctica. Newborns have been seen in colder waters as far south as Tasmania, suggesting humpbacks' habits of breeding and migration are more complex than we thought Photograph: Vanessa Risku/SWNS Feelin' blue … two colourful waterfowl emerge from a contaminated lake in the botanical garden in Jundiaí, Brazil. The lake water was tinted blue after a truck carrying five tanks, each containing 1,000 litres of dye, crashed and spilled all its cargo Photograph: Sebastião Moreira/EPA This hazel dormouse is being given a once-over by a disease risk team at ZSL London Zoo, UK, as part of reintroduction programme. The dormice will be released to a new woodland home in June, and so the specialist wildlife health team must ensure they are fit and healthy beforehand … Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian … but undergoing all those medical checks really takes it out of you Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian A mother mute swan attends to her cygnets at Abbotsbury Swannery, Dorset, UK. The arrival of mute swan cygnets is traditionally seen as the start of summer, and it's said the Benedictine monks who owned the swannery between about 1000 and the 1540s believed the first cygnet signalled the season's first day Photograph:A lion sits in a cage waiting to be transported to Mazatlan on Mexico's west coast. Hundreds of animals including elephants, crocodiles, lions and tigers have been moved out of a violence-torn Mexican cartel heartland further north in an operation described as a '21st-century Noah's Ark'. Regular roadblocks and armed clashes in the region made it difficult for the sanctuary's workers to keep the captive wildlife fed. In total, about 700 animals were moved to a ranch on the coast Photograph: Félix Márquez/AP A vet checks over a rescued baby orangutan seized from the illegal wildlife trade at the Royal Forest Department's wildlife clinic in Bangkok, Thailand. Two baby orangutans were rescued after Thai police arrested a suspect who was about to hand them over to a would-be buyer Photograph: Rungroj Yongrit/EPA Video footage shows a baby howler monkey clinging onto a young adult male capuchin monkey on Jicarón Island, Panama. Scientists have spotted surprising evidence of what they describe as monkey kidnappings while reviewing video footage from the small island. Capuchin monkeys were seen carrying at least 11 howler babies between 2022 and 2023 – but no one is sure why they do it Photograph: Brendan Barrett/AP A souslik, or ground squirrel, feeds in a meadow near Karaman, Turkey. With its yellowish fur, spots and alert posture, it can look oddly like a real-life Pikachu Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images A group of Orinoco crocodile hatchlings are released into the wild at the Capanaparo River, in a remote corner of Venezuela. For decades, the Crocodile Specialist Group have been raising younglings of the critically endangered species in captivity in a race against time to avoid its extinction, as fewer than 100 Orinoco crocodiles remain in the wild. Decades of poaching for leather has pushed the species to the brink, and now struggling Venezuelans who hunt the animals for meat and take their eggs for food threaten to deal the final blow Photograph: Gaby Oráa/Reuters Honeybees return to their hive in Wehrheim near Frankfurt, Germany. Plants can 'hear' bees buzzing and serve up more nectar when they are nearby, scientists have found. Amazingly, they can tell the difference between a bee's buzz and that of a non-pollinating insect such as a wasp Photograph: Michael Probst/AP A colony of sand martins come and go from their nests at Yumurtalık lagoon in Adana, Turkey Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images Two damselflies form a heart shape (almost) as they mate in warm weather in County Armagh, UK Photograph: David Hunter/Alamy Live News A lion rests on a dead tree on the savannah at the Lewa wildlife conservancy, Kenya Photograph: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters A fox cub plays in a garden in Clapham, London, UK, closely watched by a parent. As they play, the cubs are also learning how to chase and pounce Photograph: Anna Watson/Alamy Live News Seagulls squabble along the banks of the Tejo River in Portugal Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images A swallowtail butterfly sits on a blooming flower in a butterfly garden at Benchakitti park in Bangkok, Thailand Photograph: Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty Images An alligator lurks in a manmade canal at the Everglades national park, Florida, US Photograph: Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images A peacock displays its feathers at a park in Singapore Photograph: Roslan Rahman/AFP/Getty Images A stork mother guards her chicks from passing traffic on the outskirts of Frankfurt, Germany Photograph: Michael Probst/AP
The Independent
20-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Nine rare hazel dormice to be released in wild after successful health checks
Nine rare hazel dormice will be released into the wild next month following a successful health screening test. Each of the tiny 'charming' mammals, three of which were born at Whipsnade Zoo near Dunstable in Bedfordshire, received health checks from the Zoological Society of London's (ZSL) Disease Risk Analysis and Health Surveillance Team (DRAHS). It will mark the first time the ZSL has bred dormice to be released in the wild, according to zookeepers at Whipsnade Zoo. The endangered animals were placed under anaesthetic to allow vets to check their heart, lungs, eyes, ears, nose, teeth and fur and ensure each dormouse was ready for release. Each mouse has been microchipped to allow conservation teams to monitor the animals and how they adapt to their new woodland habitat. Luke Pharoah, zookeeper at Whipsnade Zoo in charge of monitoring the dormice, said it feels 'rewarding' watching their growth from small animals to healthy adults, adding it was 'exciting' the mice had passed their health assessments. 'Whipsnade Zoo is the UK's largest zoo, so we're known for the larger animals that we care for – but behind the scenes, we're also working with these charming little dormice,' he said. 'Watching these three dormice grow from tiny, dozy newborns into adulthood has been so rewarding, and it's exciting to know that with the all-clear from our vets, they are now one step closer to raising their own young and boosting wild dormice numbers. 'Although we've supported DRAHS's work for a long time, this is the first time in 20 years that ZSL has bred dormice for release into the wild, and we will continue to use our keeper expertise to breed and care for more dormice for these vital translocations.' The checks formed part of national conservation efforts to recover populations of the vulnerable dormice, which were previously widespread across England and Wales. A 2023 report conducted by the People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) found the population of dormice had declined by 70% since 2000 as a result of habitat loss and climate change. Through its annual dormouse reintroduction programme, the PTES hopes to reestablish hazel dormice populations in areas across England where the rodents are considered locally extinct. The ZSL has been involved with PTES's programme for 32 years, and it is hoped the health checks will help to reintroduce the dormice to 26 woodland habitats across 13 counties in England. Dr Clare McNamee, wildlife vet at ZSL's Institute of Zoology, who led the health checks, said: 'We're delighted to report that all nine dormice passed their health checks and are now ready for their big move in just a few weeks' time. 'These dormice might be tiny, but they have a big impact on their woodland habitat. By restoring dormouse populations, we're making huge steps to protect and recover all the wildlife they live alongside.' The health checks are also designed to help reduce the risk of disease being introduced into the woodlands where the dormice will be released. The DRAHS team is working with Natural England, a public body sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to monitor the health of more than 30 different species to ensure the animals are healthy before release. Dr McNamee said their work will help ensure 'dormice are fit and set up for success in their new homes, but it also helps to protect these habitats by reducing and monitoring the risks from disease'. The furry dormice are currently living in ZSL's London Zoo, where they are receiving specialist care and being monitored closely ahead of their release into the wild.
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Help us identify old film reels, London Zoo urges
The charity which runs London Zoo is seeking volunteers to identify material from hundreds of film reels discovered in its Society of London (ZSL), based in Regent's Park, near central London, wants film enthusiasts or history buffs to help identify the content of these mystery most of the 200 reels are labelled with a cryptic name or a description, 20 are entirely Campanella, ZSL's bicentenary project manager, said: "Delving into 200 years of history is no small task, and we've uncovered some fascinating artefacts - like a 1930s ostrich egg and polar bear-shaped soap souvenirs - but these films remain a reel mystery." She added: "With just one year to go until our 200th anniversary, we'd love to find out what's on these mystery reels. "We have absolutely no idea what historical secrets they may hold, if any at all, so if someone out there is as intrigued as we are, and would like to help, please get in touch!" Some of the labelled reels hint at footage of Chi-Chi the panda - who resided at the zoo between 1958 and '72 - possible behavioural research of Congo, a chimpanzee and other scientific said some of the films were showing signs of vinegar syndrome - where the films become brittle, shrink and emit a vinegar-like odour - adding they wanted to act swiftly "before the valuable information they possess slips away forever".
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Zoho Schools of Learning Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary, Announces New Campuses in Tharuvai and Kumbakonam, India
CHENNAI, India, April 22, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zoho, the global technology company headquartered in Chennai, India, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Zoho Schools of Learning (ZSL), with the expansion of the program to two new locations in Tamil Nadu–Tharuvai and Kumbakonam. With this strategic expansion, the program strengthens its efforts to bridge the skill gap by providing practical and hands-on training to young students in India's towns. Zoho Schools of Learning, formerly Zoho University, started in 2005 with just six students and two teachers as an alternative to a college education. It provides a two-year training program for high school graduates, which includes a one-year internship at Zoho. The program does not charge a fee, but instead offers a stipend to the students, enabling them to focus on their education without financial stress. Currently, the programme receives around 20,000 applications annually from around India. To date, ZSL has produced over 2,000 graduates who now make up over 10% of Zoho Corporation's workforce. "We started Zoho Schools of Learning with a belief: traditional college education was not preparing the students for the workforce. What began as a modest experiment with just a few students has now evolved into a sought-after alternative to college for students across the country. We are seeing results of this effort, as our alumni contribute meaningfully in various roles at Zoho—from taking up leadership positions to getting involved in deep-tech R&D projects and leading product development. Our commitment to valuing merit over credentials continues to prove that genuine talent flourishes when given opportunity, regardless of formal qualifications. The past 20 years have taught us valuable lessons on how we should engage with our students contextually, teaching them relevant skills in an experiential environment. At Zoho, we continue to learn with ZSL," said Rajendran Dandapani, Director of Technology at Zoho and President of Zoho Schools of Learning. Schools of Learning Two decades ago, ZSL launched with just one specialization—the School of Technology—to train for software engineering. The program has expanded over the years to include Schools of Design, Business, Graduate Studies, and Advanced Study. Currently, ZSL has two campuses: the Chennai campus trains around 200 students and has all the schools, while the Tenkasi campus, which trains 80 students, has the Schools of Technology and Business. The Tharuvai campus will host the Technology and Business Schools, and the Kumbakonam campus will start with the School of Technology. The new campuses will start with a batch of 15-20 students each. ZSL also runs the Marupadi programme to train women who have had to leave work for a variety of reasons and now want to rejoin the workforce. Marupadi currently offers three courses: software development, software testing, and technical writing. Since its launch in 2022, a total of 60 women have completed training through this program, of which 50 have found job placements within Zoho. Each school is designed to equip students with the practical skills required in today's job market, including keeping pace with the latest industry trends. The program continuously updates its curriculum to ensure alignment with industry needs. For example, initially, theoretical foundations and traditional programming for standalone applications and basic web development were the focus. However, as engineers now need multi-disciplinary skills that bridge hardware, software, and data-driven problem-solving, Zoho School of Technology has modernized its approach by embracing contemporary programming languages such as Go, Swift and Kotlin. It has also incorporated open-source tools, and aims at fostering interdisciplinary learning, focusing on design thinking and user experience. This comprehensive strategy aims to nurture graduates to not only be technically proficient, but also adapt to the evolving technological landscape, ensuring they are truly industry-ready. "As AI is reshaping the way we work, we are once again adapting ourselves," said Rajendran Dandapani. "AI technology is advancing at such a fast pace that we can neither be proactive nor reactive. Instead, we are focussing on developing critical skills such as learning to ask the right questions and assessing the quality and validity of the answers AI generates. These skills will be needed regardless of the direction in which AI evolves." Fostering a culture of self-learning ZSL follows a hybrid teaching approach. While lectures with faculty remain a core element, the program also incorporates group discussions and a flipped classroom environment, wherein students are encouraged to self-learn or learn with help from peers while being guided by teaching assistants. Students can choose an exam-free evaluation category, if they prefer. In recent years, alumni have started offering personalised, one-on-one mentorship to graduates. With its unique blend of practical experience, skill-based learning, and a focus on industry relevance, Zoho Schools of Learning remains committed to shaping the next generation of professionals ready to thrive in today's ever-evolving workplace. Student Quotes "I grew up in a small town. As the son of a daily wage worker, supporting our family of three—my father, sister, and myself—was our primary concern. After graduating from the Government Higher Secondary School in Pullukattuvalasai, I enrolled in Zoho Schools in 2015, and that became a turning point for me. During the training, I not only learned programming and logical thinking, but also realized the immense possibilities that existed for me. What might have been a future in local jobs transformed into a career at Zoho Desk that has sustained me since 2016. Through the mentorship of teachers, managers, and colleagues, I have gained not just technical skills, but also the confidence to reimagine my life. Today, I own a home, support my family financially, and fund my sister's education. Zoho Schools didn't just change my career trajectory; it gave me financial stability, a capacity for self-learning, and a belief that I could accomplish anything," said Kumaresan M., Member Technical Staff, Zoho Desk (ZSL Batch: 2015-2017) "Being a weaver's daughter, pursuing higher education seemed financially out of reach for our family. I hesitated given that it would have added another burden on my parents' shoulders. Zoho Schools opened an unexpected door for me. Beyond the financial support, which was certainly meaningful, the program gave me space to develop both technical skills and personal confidence. During training, I gradually overcame my shyness and discovered abilities I had not recognized in myself. Without this opportunity, I would have likely taken a conventional undergraduate path and accepted whatever employment came my way to help support my family. Most probably would have chosen something non-technical. Instead, Zoho Schools provided an alternative that allowed me to build specialised skills while still fulfilling my family responsibilities. The professional growth and learning opportunities I have experienced since joining have helped me develop a career I would not have imagined possible. This journey has shown me that with the right support and education, even someone from modest beginnings can find their way into the technology field," said Nivetha Ganeshan, Member Technical Staff, Zoho Desk (ZSL Batch: 2016-2018) "The path that led me to becoming a Visual Designer at Zoho was nothing short of ordinary. I hail from a village near Madurai, Kulamangalam. After completing 12th grade, I found myself at a crossroads. Due to financial constraints, pursuing a college education was simply not an option. Like many others in my situation, I was preparing to take up painting work on construction sites just to make ends meet. At 19, I took a chance and applied for Zoho School of Design, driven by my passion for drawing and some basic design skills. It was not just about gaining skills; it was about transforming my mindset, lifestyle, and future. Today, I look back with immense gratitude. What started as a small opportunity turned into a stepping stone toward a career I love," said Yogeshwara Pandian, Visual Designer, Zoho Payments (ZSL Batch: 2022-2024) About Zoho With over 55 apps across nearly every major business category, Zoho Corporation is one of the world's most prolific technology companies. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, with international headquarters in Chennai, India, Zoho is privately held and profitable, employing more than 18,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit: View source version on Contacts Media Contacts Sam Nanya Srivastavananya@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Wire
22-04-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Zoho Schools of Learning Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary, Announces New Campuses in Tharuvai and Kumbakonam, India
CHENNAI, India--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zoho, the global technology company headquartered in Chennai, India, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Zoho Schools of Learning (ZSL), with the expansion of the program to two new locations in Tamil Nadu–Tharuvai and Kumbakonam. With this strategic expansion, the program strengthens its efforts to bridge the skill gap by providing practical and hands-on training to young students in India's towns. Zoho Schools of Learning, formerly Zoho University, started in 2005 with just six students and two teachers as an alternative to a college education. It provides a two-year training program for high school graduates, which includes a one-year internship at Zoho. The program does not charge a fee, but instead offers a stipend to the students, enabling them to focus on their education without financial stress. Currently, the programme receives around 20,000 applications annually from around India. To date, ZSL has produced over 2,000 graduates who now make up over 10% of Zoho Corporation's workforce. "We started Zoho Schools of Learning with a belief: traditional college education was not preparing the students for the workforce. What began as a modest experiment with just a few students has now evolved into a sought-after alternative to college for students across the country. We are seeing results of this effort, as our alumni contribute meaningfully in various roles at Zoho — from taking up leadership positions to getting involved in deep-tech R&D projects and leading product development. Our commitment to valuing merit over credentials continues to prove that genuine talent flourishes when given opportunity, regardless of formal qualifications. The past 20 years have taught us valuable lessons on how we should engage with our students contextually, teaching them relevant skills in an experiential environment. At Zoho, we continue to learn with ZSL," said Rajendran Dandapani, Director of Technology at Zoho and President of Zoho Schools of Learning. Schools of Learning Two decades ago, ZSL launched with just one specialization—the School of Technology—to train for software engineering. The program has expanded over the years to include Schools of Design, Business, Graduate Studies, and Advanced Study. Currently, ZSL has two campuses: the Chennai campus trains around 200 students and has all the schools, while the Tenkasi campus, which trains 80 students, has the Schools of Technology and Business. The Tharuvai campus will host the Technology and Business Schools, and the Kumbakonam campus will start with the School of Technology. The new campuses will start with a batch of 15-20 students each. ZSL also runs the Marupadi programme to train women who have had to leave work for a variety of reasons and now want to rejoin the workforce. Marupadi currently offers three courses: software development, software testing, and technical writing. Since its launch in 2022, a total of 60 women have completed training through this program, of which 50 have found job placements within Zoho. Each school is designed to equip students with the practical skills required in today's job market, including keeping pace with the latest industry trends. The program continuously updates its curriculum to ensure alignment with industry needs. For example, initially, theoretical foundations and traditional programming for standalone applications and basic web development were the focus. However, as engineers now need multi-disciplinary skills that bridge hardware, software, and data-driven problem-solving, Zoho School of Technology has modernized its approach by embracing contemporary programming languages such as Go, Swift and Kotlin. It has also incorporated open-source tools, and aims at fostering interdisciplinary learning, focusing on design thinking and user experience. This comprehensive strategy aims to nurture graduates to not only be technically proficient, but also adapt to the evolving technological landscape, ensuring they are truly industry-ready. "As AI is reshaping the way we work, we are once again adapting ourselves," said Rajendran Dandapani. "AI technology is advancing at such a fast pace that we can neither be proactive nor reactive. Instead, we are focussing on developing critical skills such as learning to ask the right questions and assessing the quality and validity of the answers AI generates. These skills will be needed regardless of the direction in which AI evolves.' Fostering a culture of self-learning ZSL follows a hybrid teaching approach. While lectures with faculty remain a core element, the program also incorporates group discussions and a flipped classroom environment, wherein students are encouraged to self-learn or learn with help from peers while being guided by teaching assistants. Students can choose an exam-free evaluation category, if they prefer. In recent years, alumni have started offering personalised, one-on-one mentorship to graduates. With its unique blend of practical experience, skill-based learning, and a focus on industry relevance, Zoho Schools of Learning remains committed to shaping the next generation of professionals ready to thrive in today's ever-evolving workplace. Student Quotes "I grew up in a small town. As the son of a daily wage worker, supporting our family of three—my father, sister, and myself—was our primary concern. After graduating from the Government Higher Secondary School in Pullukattuvalasai, I enrolled in Zoho Schools in 2015, and that became a turning point for me. During the training, I not only learned programming and logical thinking, but also realized the immense possibilities that existed for me. What might have been a future in local jobs transformed into a career at Zoho Desk that has sustained me since 2016. Through the mentorship of teachers, managers, and colleagues, I have gained not just technical skills, but also the confidence to reimagine my life. Today, I own a home, support my family financially, and fund my sister's education. Zoho Schools didn't just change my career trajectory; it gave me financial stability, a capacity for self-learning, and a belief that I could accomplish anything," said Kumaresan M., Member Technical Staff, Zoho Desk (ZSL Batch: 2015-2017) "Being a weaver's daughter, pursuing higher education seemed financially out of reach for our family. I hesitated given that it would have added another burden on my parents' shoulders. Zoho Schools opened an unexpected door for me. Beyond the financial support, which was certainly meaningful, the program gave me space to develop both technical skills and personal confidence. During training, I gradually overcame my shyness and discovered abilities I had not recognized in myself. Without this opportunity, I would have likely taken a conventional undergraduate path and accepted whatever employment came my way to help support my family. Most probably would have chosen something non-technical. Instead, Zoho Schools provided an alternative that allowed me to build specialised skills while still fulfilling my family responsibilities. The professional growth and learning opportunities I have experienced since joining have helped me develop a career I would not have imagined possible. This journey has shown me that with the right support and education, even someone from modest beginnings can find their way into the technology field," said Nivetha Ganeshan, Member Technical Staff, Zoho Desk (ZSL Batch: 2016-2018) "The path that led me to becoming a Visual Designer at Zoho was nothing short of ordinary. I hail from a village near Madurai, Kulamangalam. After completing 12th grade, I found myself at a crossroads. Due to financial constraints, pursuing a college education was simply not an option. Like many others in my situation, I was preparing to take up painting work on construction sites just to make ends meet. At 19, I took a chance and applied for Zoho School of Design, driven by my passion for drawing and some basic design skills. It was not just about gaining skills; it was about transforming my mindset, lifestyle, and future. Today, I look back with immense gratitude. What started as a small opportunity turned into a stepping stone toward a career I love," said Yogeshwara Pandian, Visual Designer, Zoho Payments (ZSL Batch: 2022-2024) About Zoho
