A NEW ZSL survey has highlighted a lack of public awareness of some of the world’s most endangered wildlife species – it turns out we know more about mythical creatures! 

It turns out that we (Britons) have a greater awareness of mythical creatures like mermaids, Ewoks and the Yeti than some of world’s most unique and irreplaceable real-life species, according to a new survey by ZSL (Zoological Society of London). Shocked emoji face…

The survey of 1,000 people was run by ZSL to mark the 10-year anniversary of its EDGE of Existence programme, which was established in 2007 to identify and conserve the world’s most Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species – from mammals that lay eggs, to frogs that give birth through their skin. 

Asked to identify animals they recognised from a list of both fantasy creatures from literature and film with real-life species, it was found that whilst 78% of respondents had heard of the Gruffalo, just 1% were aware of the hirola, one of the world’s rarest and most threatened antelope species.

Similarly, the mythical unicorn scored 88% in terms of awareness, but just 3% of respondents were familiar with solenodons – burrowing, insect-eating animals that live on just two Caribbean islands and is actually one of the world’s only venomous mammals. 

Where do you stand? Have you heard of more real-life endangered species mentioned in this story, or more mythical ones? 

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