In 1971 FPS proposed a world conference on breeding endangered species in captivity, and the first conference was held under the joint auspices of FPS and the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust at Jersey Zoo in 1972 (Oryx XI:5, May 1972). This proved highly successful and in response to the worldwide demand for a repeat a second conference was held in July 1976, at the London Zoo, under the joint auspices of FPS and the Zoological Society of London, which this year celebrated its 150th anniversary. In this account Dr Paul Leyhausen, of the Max Planck Institute, who is Chairman of the IUCN Cat Group, and took part in the meetings, sums up their content and importance.