Animals in UK Zoo contribute footprints to help their wild counterparts

We welcome guest contributor Amy Armitage, Manager of Ponderosa Zoo in the UK, who shares the challenge of collecting footprints from animals at the Zoo to help their wild counterparts.

Ponderosa Zoo: Bridging Conservation and Community

Ponderosa Zoo is a 10-acre Zoo in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, with a history rooted in inclusivity and care. Originally founded in 1991 as the Rare Breeds Rural Therapeutic Centre, the zoo began as a small farm with non-native species like llamas and emus. What started as a passion project for Maureen Cook quickly became a beloved community space, offering people of all abilities the opportunity to connect with animals. Recognizing the profound impact of these interactions, Maureen and Howard Cook expanded their vision, transforming Ponderosa into the thriving zoo it is today.

Now home to a diverse range of exotic species—from primates to reptiles—Ponderosa Zoo is dedicated to inspiring people of all ages through education. Our mission is to foster a deeper appreciation for wildlife while actively contributing to conservation efforts that protect species and ecosystems for future generations.

Collaborating with WildTrack

Our team was first introduced to the WildTrack project at a conference, where we learned about the groundbreaking Footprint Identification Technique (FIT). This innovative, non-invasive method uses animal footprints to identify species, individuals, and track wildlife populations. We were especially intrigued by the possibility of applying this technique in a zoo setting to support research that benefits endangered and elusive species in the wild.

The Pawprint Challenge

Since joining the project, we’ve been working to collect footprints from a variety of species, including Scottish wildcats, servals, Asian small-clawed otters, Arctic foxes, and raccoon dogs. While some animals have been naturally curious about the process, others have presented us with unexpected challenges!

• The Otter Dilemma: Our otters were fascinated by the sand we introduced for footprint collection—but not in the way we’d hoped. Instead of walking across it, they enthusiastically dug into their new playground, erasing any trace of usable prints. To make things even trickier, their tails dragged across the sand, wiping out any tracks they did leave behind! We’re brainstorming new approaches to capture their prints successfully.
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Asian small-clawed otters with their keeper, exploring the new sand

• Serval Success (With a Twist): Collecting serval prints proved easier, as the sand in her enclosure naturally held clear tracks. However, since our serval is a non-contact animal, keepers couldn’t be present to observe her movements directly. This made it difficult to determine exactly which paw made each print—a small but significant challenge for accurate data collection.
• A Wildcat Surprise: Our Scottish wildcats, known for being shy and elusive, were expected to be the hardest species to work with. To our surprise, as soon as we added sand to their enclosure, they approached it without hesitation, leaving us with some of the best prints we’ve collected so far!

A Scottish wildcat and her footprint

The Bigger Picture

Participating in this project has been an exciting and rewarding experience for our team. It’s a powerful reminder of the important role zoos can play in conservation—not just within our own walls, but in supporting field projects that protect wild populations. It has also sparked curiosity among our visitors, giving us a unique opportunity to educate the public about non-invasive wildlife monitoring and the incredible work WildTrack is doing.

Beyond its research value, the footprint project has also been a fantastic form of enrichment for our animals, engaging them in new and stimulating ways. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with WildTrack and finding innovative ways to contribute to conservation efforts around the world.

A racoon dog practising in the sand!