Circle of Friends

CIRCLE is a University of York-led collaboration, with an office based at Flamingo Land, the UK's most visited zoo. The work of CIRCLE aims to impact upon policymakers, managers and local communities living in and around areas of biodiversity conservation, both in the UK and abroad. The work also targets a large demographic of people typically not reached by university research, namely 1.2-1.7 million people and 1,000+ schools visiting Flamingo Land each year.

CIRCLE carries out research and education in Africa through the Udzungwa Forest Project (UFP), a conservation initiative established by Flamingo Land in 2007. UFP aims to protect forests through active management, education, capacity building, lobbying, income generation, and gathering scientific data.

CIRCLE also carries out biodiversity work in the UK, including the development of the world's first "Zoo BAP", a biodiversity action plan for a zoological garden. CIRCLE's work in the UK also includes research into the work of zoos, including exhibit design and measures of conservation success.

CIRCLE currently consists of three staff, and six research trainees, and is guided by a distinguished advisory board comprising university academics, research innovators, conservationists, a communications expert and a government scientist. A further nine staff work under UFP in Tanzania.

Our four main areas of research are:
Biodiversity Conservation
The Role of Zoos
Animal Welfare
Environmental Education