Instagram story viewer> @natures_safe> Posts

Nature’s SAFE

@natures_safe

1.4K

followers

390

following

Wildlife biobanking charity Saving Animals From Extinction 🌍
Support us with a digital adoption today ⬇️

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

The last time I drew the African penguin was in my sketch book in Simonstown, having just spent my 30th birthday watching penguins at Boulders beach!

It reminded me of the days I spent watching puffins in Scotland, how easy it is for time to go by whilst watching these charming little birds.

And three years later im revisiting the African penguin, Spheniscus demersus. 🐧

Shortly after a huge step forwards in conserving this species by establishing no fishing zones around breeding colonies 🐟🌎

This original artwork will be part of my Easter Sunday collection 🥚
.
.
.
.
#africanpenguin #capepenguin #bouldersbeach #simonstown #scientificillustrator #scientificillustration #naturalhistoryillustration #wildlifeart #wildlifeartist #inkart #inkartist taken in Boulders Beach Penguin Colony by @natures_safe

1k

29

a year ago

Nature’s SAFE is using advanced science to protect biodiversity on our planet here and now. We’ve already bio-banked over 250 species, but need your help to protect more.

Help protect wildlife with a digital adoption today. Learn more at the link in our bio 🔗 by @natures_safe

11

0

a year ago

This #RedSquirrelAwarenessWeek we are excited to shine a light on the research being conducted by the University of Edinburgh on population genetics for the species, which we are supporting by providing samples from our biobank.

This project, led by Alexa Hepworth and Rob Ogden at the Royal Dick School of Veterinary Sciences, aims to evaluate the maternal genetic diversity present within ex-situ red squirrel populations by analysing the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), inherited exclusively from mothers, of red squirrels from zoos and wildlife parks in the UK. This data will be compared with published data from wild UK and European populations to determine how well captive populations represent maternal genetic variation in the wild. These findings will inform future conservation breeding, genetic management, and potential reintroduction strategies by identifying whether captive populations represent a valuable reservoir of genetic diversity for the species.

Alexa Hepworth shares more about the project:
"The results will give an initial snapshot of the genetic baseline of the captive population. This can guide breeding and translocation decisions so captive animals act as a real reservoir of diversity and safety net against further losses in the wild.

Biobanked samples make this kind of research possible without disturbing the animals every time a study arises. The samples stay available for future research, so this work can be built on as red squirrel conservation develops.

It is my hope that more collections will get involved in the future, widening the scope of this work and helping conservationists plan breeding that strengthens genetic diversity in our wild red squirrels."

How are we able to facilitate research like this? Samples preserved in our living biobank remain under the ownership of the submitting institution. However, the sample owner can opt in to donating a portion of each sample to research projects which further knowledge on wildlife health, population genetics, and/or assisted reproductive technologies to inform conservation strategies.

#RSAW26 by @natures_safe

3

0

18 hours ago

Biological samples from the blue crane were first preserved in the Nature's SAFE biobank in April 2026.

The blue crane is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. They are found in grasslands and agricultural areas of Southern Africa.

The main threats to this species are:

⚡️ Power line collisions: around 12% of the population in Overberg, Western Cape is killed annually in collisions.

❌️ Illegal capture: for food, traditional medicine, and illegal wildlife trade.

☠️ Accidental poisoning: cranes are accidentally poisoned as non-target species by pest control measures.

Ex-situ populations contribute to the global actions taken to prevent further decline of this species, which include protection of grasslands, altering agricultural practices to decrease accidental poisoning, and better planning of power line routes.

Nature's SAFE has now preserved tissue samples from the blue crane in our living biobank to provide a resource for further research and assisted reproduction if needed in the future to supplement ex-situ breeding.

To learn more about the species preserved by Nature's SAFE, visit our website at the link in our bio. by @natures_safe

12

0

3 days ago

We will be hosting the second annual Biobanking for Biodiversity conference on the 24th February 2027 at our site in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

This conference aims to bring together technical staff working in, supporting, or planning biobanks across the UK. Through talks, workshops, panel sessions and networking opportunities, it will encourage the sharing of practical insights, techniques, and challenges – helping to foster knowledge exchange and strengthen collaboration across the sector.

If you are interested in attending or presenting your work, please register your interest by scanning the QR code or clicking the link in our bio. by @natures_safe

3

0

8 days ago

We have some big news to share with you about our UK native species conservation work.

We are now part of a £1.5 million Species Recovery Programme funded by Natural England to support the recovery of the Endangered white-clawed crayfish. Our project will be part of a multi-pronged programme of scientific research into crayfish genetics, plague-resistance, pathogens and biobanking of biological material, which will underpin the long-term health, resilience and survival of the species.

White-clawed crayfish are under threat due to disease and geographical isolation of small populations. This means that we now require a strategic multi-method approach to prevent the species from going extinct in the UK.

As part of this programme, we will be developing cryogenic techniques to freeze white-clawed crayfish gametes for long-term population preservation in collaboration with Bristol Zoological Society and University College London.

Follow along and we will keep you all updated with our progress. by @natures_safe

10

0

9 days ago

We are hosting a virtual workshop with ABWAK on December 2nd at 19:00 GMT walking you through how to collect biological samples for Nature's SAFE and the journey of your sample, from arrival to processing and storage, once it arrives here at our laboratory.

This virtual workshop will provide you with practical techniques for collecting and preparing your samples to ensure high quality preservation. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions throughout, with a dedicated Q&A session at the end. The workshop is designed to help zoo and aquarium professionals feel more confident about collecting samples that can make a valuable contribution to conservation.

This workshop is free to ABWAK members, or £15 for non-members.

Sign up at the link in our bio.

For further enquiries, contact James Cork: james.cork@hertfordshirezoo.com by @natures_safe

17

0

13 days ago

We are very pleased to share this recent project undertaken by Cryo-CorALS working group members Louise Gibson (@officialzsl) and our own Conservation Scientist, Alice Clark.

Cryo-CorALS is a collaborative network of experts in marine conservation and cryobiology. It is the dedication of the all Cryo-CorALS working group members which makes it possible for us to provide this expertise to local and international coral reef conservation projects.

Three weeks ago, Louise and Alice joined a team of dedicated marine biologists, citizen scientists and community volunteers led by @isercaribe in Puerto Rico to participate in a huge community effort to preserve spawning Acropora palmata corals in the wild.

Acropora palmata, also called Elkhorn coral, is an important reef-building coral in the Caribbean which is under threat due to increased frequency of coral bleaching events. Acropora corals spawn only once a year, so the window was tight to collect this priceless material.

Louise and Alice were stationed in the ‘cryo house’, their field lab, with a full team ready to receive freshly spawned bundles brought in by divers patrolling the coastline to catch material from each spawning coral. Everything had to be on their side to enable the diving team to collect enough bundles from each coral and bring them safely back on to land.

Over the course of three nights, multiple corals in the area spawned, each releasing thousands of bundles up into the water. When they reached the ‘cryo house’, the team got to work separating out viable sperm – using some immediately for fertilisation and preserving the rest for long-term cryopreservation to create a living biobank of sperm from distinct genotypes of this rare species.

After many long hours looking down microscopes, we can tell you that the effort was indeed worth it! Post-thaw assessments looked fantastic, showing that the freezing processes worked and that the sperm we preserved is live and viable for future breeding and restoration.

Thank you to the team at ISER Caribe/CIROM, the citizen scientists of Isla Mar, to Water Safety Rincon and to Revive & Restore for investing in this work by @natures_safe

65

1

14 days ago

The blue-crowned laughingthrush, first preserved by Nature's SAFE in January 2026, is a Critically Endangered species endemic to the Jiangxi Province in China. It is estimated that fewer than 250 individuals exist in the wild, as this species has been driven close to extinction from trapping, habitat destruction and human disturbance.

Zoos in the UK and Europe keep an ex-situ population of the blue-crowned laughingthrush as an insurance against extinction. Now that Nature's SAFE has begun preserving tissue from this species in our living biobank, we are able to provide a resource for research and the application of assisted reproductive technologies if needed in the future.

Help us in the fight to Save Animals From Extinction. Learn more about our charity and how to donate today at the link in our bio. by @natures_safe

5

0

20 days ago

Thank you to Nidacon for supporting us with equipment to ensure efficient and effective freezing of sperm samples from wildlife.

Nidacon is a company located on the west coast of Sweden, specialised in advanced reproductive solutions for human IVF and animal breeding. Their products are developed with a strong focus on animal welfare, sustainability, and evidence-based research, supporting breeders and veterinarians worldwide.

To learn more, visit their page:
@nidaconinternational by @natures_safe

8

0

22 days ago

The Utah prairie dog is one of the many species we have added to our biobank in 2026.

There are five species of prairie dog; black-tailed, white-tailed, Gunnison's, Utah, and Mexican prairie dogs. The Utah prairie dog is classified as Endangered by the IUCN, and has faced severe declines due to human persecution.

Intensive poisonings have decimated larger colonies. Poisoning and shooting of Utah prairie dogs continues in the present day, driven by concern of agricultural damage and plague outbreaks.

Reintroductions are crucial to the conservation action plan for the Utah prairie dog. Samples in our living biobank provide a resource to boost the genetic diversity of ex-situ reintroduced populations in the future.

Learn more about the species preserved by Nature's SAFE by visiting our website at the link in our bio. by @natures_safe

13

0

a month ago

Thank you to AC Jackson (@acjacksonltd) for supporting our charity's fundraising events over the years, including the Kilimanjaro climb our team took on in 2024, where Nature's SAFE ambassador and champion for the blind community Verity Smith took on an immense challenge to raise funds in support of wildlife.

To become a corporate sponsor of Nature's SAFE, visit our website at the link in our bio. by @natures_safe

5

0

a month ago