World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)

Join Reverse the Red online Forum as part of #ReverseTheRedDay 2025!  Addressed to government focal points, agency staff, and species leads, the event ‘Reversing the Red: National Species Impact’ will explore how species recovery is being achieved on a national level, and will highlight examples of national target setting and implementation for species recovery.   🗓️ 6 and 7 February  Register here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dwWaQR8Y

Interested in using your communications expertise to advance wildlife conservation, animal welfare, education and sustainability?  We are looking for a new colleague to join our dynamic team at the WAZA Executive Office as Head of Communications.  Find out more and apply before 7 February!  👉 https://lnkd.in/dGzHPx4Y

Join Reverse the Red online Forum as part of #ReverseTheRedDay 2025!  Species and conservation professionals are invited to participate in the event ‘Reversing the Red: Moving From Ideas to Actions for Threatened Species’ focused on improving strategy and accelerating recovery-focused action for species level actors.  🗓️ 6 and 7 February  Register here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/djWFtdmp

Register for the XXXI ALPZA_LATAM Congress!  The Congress will bring together leaders, experts, and organisations dedicated to wildlife conservation across Latin America. It will provide a platform to exchange knowledge, foster collaboration, and promote sustainable practices in zoo and aquarium management.  📅 5-8 May 2025   📍 Xcaret Park, Playa del Carmen, Mexico  🎟️ Early bird registration is open until 31 January  https://lnkd.in/deg4wvYx

Last week, WAZA CEO, Martín Zordan, participated in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Directors' Policy Conference held at Santa Barbara Zoo! The conference hosted strategic discussions on critical issues affecting aquariums and zoos, informed AZA members about the Association’s priorities for the year ahead and explored emerging trends within and beyond the community. During the event, attendees welcomed Santa Barbara Zoo’s new CEO, Charles Hopper, while outgoing CEO, Rich Block, was recognised for his leadership and achievements in conservation and animal welfare. WAZA thanks both Charles Hopper and Rich Block for their contributions to the zoo and aquarium community. Maria Clara Dominguez Vernaza, Executive Director of Fundación Zoológica de Cali, and Martín Zordan also invited the attendees to the 80th WAZA Conference, which will be held from 26 to 30 October 2025 at Cali Zoo. We thank AZA for the opportunity to participate and engage in the 2025 Directors' Policy Conference! Images (Left to Right): Nicola Craddock - Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia Executive Director; Dr. Rebecca Shaw - Chief Scientist and Senior Vice President at WWF; Martín Zordan, WAZA CEO; Rich Block - outgoing President and CEO of Santa Barbara Zoo and Charles Hopper - incoming President and CEO of Santa Barbara Zoo.

Congratulations Chester Zoo for receiving the Great British Wildlife Restoration Prize!  The winning project, Preventing the Extinction of Wales’ Cotoneaster Cambricus, focuses on restoring a Critically Endangered plant found only on Great Orme, Llandudno, Wales in the UK.  Chester Zoo has been working with conservation partners to prevent this plant from becoming extinct. They successfully grew 30 plants from seeds and reintroduced them in 3 different locations, restoring the current wild population to approximately one hundred. This effort is helping to secure the long-term survival of the species in its natural habitat.  The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Great British Wildlife Restoration award highlights the conservation efforts of British zoos and aquariums, recognising an organisation for an impactful native species conservation project that contributes to restoring habitats, reintroducing species, and educating communities.  Learn more about Chester Zoo’s project ⤵️  https://lnkd.in/dKeNyZ_g   📸 Chester Zoo

Last year, in support of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, WAZA presented the WAZA Members' Commitment to Biodiversity Conservation along with Reverse the Red at the CBD COP16 in Colombia, reaffirming our community's commitment to strengthening the role of zoos and aquariums in global biodiversity conservation. Over 100 members from our global community have signed the declaration, demonstrating a collective commitment to conservation while setting a clear path forward for increased impact. WAZA member institutions are uniquely positioned to deliver measurable conservation outcomes and inspire public engagement. We look forward to celebrating their commitment and showcasing strategic actions for species recovery this #ReverseTheRedDay on 7 February. Join us as we share impactful success stories and species pledges! Read the declaration ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/dqUyWbwu

As part of #ReverseTheRedDay 2025, we're inviting all species and conservation professionals to join us for an online forum focused around moving from ideas to actions, improving strategy, and accelerating recovery-focused action for species level actors. Reverse the Red will facilitate a conversation that includes examples of successful strategies to reverse declines, halt extinctions, and recover species. We hope to encourage discussion around accelerating action, improving strategy regarding species recovery efforts, and aligning with national species recovery targets. This is one of two offered times for this session (February 6 at 20:00GMT or February 7 at 11 GMT). Please register for the session that works for you.

The Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA) celebrated landmark successes in 2024!  2024 marked a significant year for the Zoo and Aquarium Association, with key achievements in wildlife conservation and advocacy.  The Association expanded its Accreditation Program to raise animal welfare standards and managed over 30 threatened species recovery efforts.   Collaboration played a vital role in their success, with active participation in global conventions such as CITES and CBD COP16.  Read more 👇 

London Zoo is participating in the Socorro Dove Project, an international initiative to reintroduce the Socorro dove to Mexico’s Socorro Island by 2030.   Being extinct in the wild, this species, endemic to a small island off the coast of Mexico, currently exists only in human care. Habitat destruction caused by feral sheep led to the species' extinction in the wild by the end of the 19th century.   As part of the project to restore the doves to their native island, London Zoo welcomed three birds at the end of 2024 and integrated them into their breeding programme. To ensure the success of the reintroduction effort, the zoo plays a crucial role in maintaining the genetic diversity of the dove population.   Ahead of the planned 2030 reintroduction, major habitat restoration work is already underway on Socorro Island. This work will also benefit other critically endangered and endangered species on the island.  Find out more ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/ddVMX8d7 Zoological Society of London (ZSL)