In celebration of International Women's Day, we asked our Rangers to tell us about the women who inspired them.
Diane Fossey
Primatologist and Conservationist
“Diane Fossey gave her life to protect gorillas in Rwanda. She destroyed poachers equipment and took a hugely proactive step in fighting poaching, habitat conservation and animal protection. It cost her her life, but without her and her teams work, gorillas would likely be extinct today”
Lucy, ZooLab’s Surrey Ranger
Dr Elisabeth Svendson
Animal Welfare Advocate
“Dr Elisabeth Svendson founded a donkey rescue which has saved thousands of donkeys in the UK and further a field. She also realised the potential donkeys could have as therapy animals - the Donkey Sanctuary do lots of SEN programs and donkey rides. Most importantly, they single handedly forced legislation to protect ‘Beach Donkeys’ and have never turned away a donkey in need.”
Lucy, ZooLab’s Surrey Ranger
Jane Goodall
Primatologist and Anthropologist
“Jane Goodall is an absolute primate pioneer! I’ve looked up to her since I was a little girl because of how much work she’s done to change and improve our understanding of apes. She’s made the close relationship between us and them not solely genetic...she brought them to the forefront of our hearts and minds.”
Paiton, ZooLab’s Wigan Ranger
Mary Kingsley
Ethnographer, Scientific Writer and Explorer
“Mary Kingsley, the first solo female explorer. In 1893, at the age of 30, she started exploring West Africa. She fought for the rights of the indigenous people against imperialism and collected huge amounts of freshwater fish for British museums”
Lucy, ZooLab’s Surrey Ranger
Rosalind Franklin
Crystallographer
“Rosalind Franklin's photography and discovery of the double helix structure of DNA was a massive breakthrough. She got absolutely robbed during her lifetime but at least now people are acknowledging her contribution to science”. Owen, ZooLab’s Ayrshire Ranger
Terri Irwin
Naturalist and Conservationist
“Terri Irwin - What a woman! To have gone through what she has and with so much pressure on her shoulders, Terri is someone I will always aspire to be like! She was always right by Steve’s side, helping and supporting him and then after his tragic passing she picked up everything he had built and has made such a massive difference to conservation all over the world!” Paiton, ZooLab’s Wigan Ranger