A HAMPSHIRE zoo is celebrating after walking off with a top award in a competition to highlight the vital conservation projects undertaken by UK and Irish zoos.
Marwell Zoo, near Winchester, took the honours in the best research project category for its work on the genetics of the scimitar-horned oryx.
The oryx is Marwell's flagship animal and the park has run the European endangered animal breeding programme since it became extinct in its native homeland - Africa's Sahara desert.
The award recognises Marwell's work in ensuring reintroduced animals have sufficiently diverse genes to survive in the wild.
Marwell was also commended in three other categories - best field conservation project for its work vaccinating Grevy's zebra in Kenya; best marketing project for its Who's Watching Who TV adverts; and best education project for children.
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