Conservation Efforts Bring This River Back to Life

Thanks to nearly two decades of conservation work, the United Kingdom’s River Thames is no longer considered “biologically dead,” a declaration that was made 64 years ago when it was so pollution-ravaged that animals could no longer survive in it.

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) began working to improve the state of the river 18 years ago; today, the 215-mile long River Thames supports over 92 species of birds, 115 species of fish, and three species of shark, among others.

“[The River Thames] once again provides a rich and varied habitat to an abundance of wildlife and many benefits to people,” says the ZSL. Further, rivers and surrounding coastal wetlands provide many positive environmental effects; a healthy River Thames “is also vital in mitigating some of the impacts of climate change,” added Dr. Andrew Terry, Director of Conservation and Policy at the ZSL.

The ZSL has confirmed that they will continue to work to remove chemicals and plastics from the River Thames and to restore wildlife, ensuring this river has the best odds for a thriving future.