At the 2024 Annual Conference for the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), held at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, global animal charity Wild Welfare, delightfully shared exciting news about their global partners.
WAZA Certificate awarded to JAZA.
Over 250 delegates representing the global zoo and aquarium community came together at the association’s 79th annual conference. During the event, Wild Welfare outlined the significant progress made with three of their international partner associations. SEAZA (Southeast Asian Zoo and Aquarium Association), AZAB (Brazilian Zoo and Aquarium Association), and JAZA (Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums), all of whom achieved the ambitious target of implementing WAZA’s 2023 Animal Welfare Goal, where regional and national zoo and aquarium associations have an animal welfare evaluation process in place by the end of November 2024. This trio of achievements was made possible by the significant expert support of Wild Welfare.
Representatives from each association were presented with certificates of compliance, stating their animal welfare evaluation process complies with WAZA’s 2023 Animal Welfare Goal.
“This is a fantastic accomplishment,” said Simon Marsh, Director at Wild Welfare. Wild Welfare has directly assisted each of these associations for many years to develop their own set of policies, procedures and animal welfare standards. These animal welfare standards and audits help identify areas of improvement and start to meet good welfare outcomes for tens of thousands of animals across each association.
WAZA Certificate awarded to AZAB.
“We’ve also worked alongside association member facilities, training members of their animal care teams to conduct effective audits in accordance with their association standard. These crucial partnerships have helped each zoo or aquarium achieve positive changes for individuals and groups of animals. This has included renovations of a baboon exhibit to allow more natural behaviours, to improving health care practices and nutrition for sun bears”, explained Simon. Each collaboration set a framework for systematic animal welfare improvements, ensuring the continuous advancement in animal care practices across hundreds of zoos and aquariums; positively impacting the lives of tens of thousands of animals.
However, these milestones only represent the tip of Wild Welfare’s ambitious vision. “While it’s fantastic that these zoo and aquarium associations are prioritising a progressive approach to animal care and welfare, it’s important to remember that these are the first steps to realising good welfare outcomes for all animals in captivity.” Simon stated. Animal welfare evaluation processes require rigorous ongoing review, whereby members are expected to continuously strive to exceed baseline standards. “Every opportunity to enhance policies and practices must be embraced if we are to create a world where every animal in human care can truly flourish and thrive within their environment.”
Wild Welfare and WAZA have committed to their ongoing collaboration by signing a pivotal MoU, promoting a shared pledge to continue working towards improving welfare for animals under human care.
Dr Martín Zordan, CEO of WAZA said, ‘WAZA is very pleased to have extended our relationship with Wild Welfare. This strategic partnership brings together WAZA’s global network and leadership in the zoo and aquarium community with Wild Welfare’s extensive expertise in animal welfare.’
This partnership will continue to shift animal welfare from being a consideration, to becoming a cornerstone of every progressive zoo and aquarium around the world. By making animal welfare the foundation on which all other goals are built, Wild Welfare, and partners continue to strive towards creating a future where every captive wild animal has the chance to experience the best possible quality of life.
ENDS
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Notes to Editors
For more information or interview requests please contact Wild Welfare on communications@wildwelfare.org
Wild Welfare is a global organisation committed to improving animal welfare for captive wild animals. By uniting the world’s leading zoos, zoo associations and animal welfare organisations, we build trusting partnerships that help provide long-term solutions to critical wild animal welfare issues.
Our vision is to end the suffering of captive wild animals around the world and ensure full and sustainable protection is given to all animals in human care. Find out more at wildwelfare.org. Registered charity in England (no.1165941).
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