EAZA and Conservation
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Article 3 of the EAZA Constitution sets out the objectives of the organisation. The very first of these is as follows:
"to promote co-operation for the furtherance of wildlife conservation, through internationally coordinated breeding programmes of wild animals and in situ conservation;"
The furtherance of wildlife conservation has become the predominant objective of EAZA and its members. It's now clear that the zoo and aquarium community's role in conservation extends far beyond helping to save endangered species through ex situ breeding programmes. Through their links with in situ projects many members of EAZA are active in the conservation of habitats and entire ecosystems.
EAZA's conservation objective in the future will include the promotion, facilitation and coordination of these in situ links. This is also required by important international documents, especially the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Zoos' Directive of the European Union. Article 9 of the CBD enshrines the role of zoos and aquariums in conservation, making this the highest mandate for the conservation imperative of EAZA members. |
EAZA Conservation Forum 2010
Working for Biodiversity
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Conservation Database
The World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Database has been online since September 2007. Originally titled the EAZA in situ Conservation Database, it was developed by EAZA in order to further increase the number of conservation projects run and supported by EAZA members. It is now fully supported by CBSG Europe and discussions are on-going with a number of other organisations to expand the scope and scale of the database.
Access the database: www.conservation-db.net
Turning the Tide
"Turning the Tide: A Global Aquarium Strategy for Conservation and Sustainability" was developed in 2009 by WAZA, the World Zoo and Aquarium Association. As stated in its forewrod, it "plots the course for public aquariums in a world where marine, coastal and freshwater resources are being ruthlessly exploited, where water associated biodiversity is steadily declining and where the careful management of all aquatic ecosystems is now crucial for the well-being of the planet."
Turning the Tide: A Global Aquarium Strategy for Conservation and Sustainability