EAZA and Conservation

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 includes 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 2012

An example of the commitment of EAZA as a whole to biodiversity conservation, and in particular to in situ conservation, are the annual conservation campaigns we have been running since 2000. For an overview see the Campaigns section of the website.

A key document, to which all EAZA members are expected to comply, is the World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy (2005). It provides a common philosophy for zoos and aquariums across the globe and defines the standards and policies with which they hope to achieve your conservation goals.

The World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Database - WZACD

WZACD has a new look. It is now part of a website that features projects as well as other news. The 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 fully supported by CBSG Europe, EAZA and WAZA. A technical advisory team consisting of colleagues from ALPZA, ZAA, EARAZA, EAZA and WAZA is working on the further improvements of the database. 

The database can be accessed through the website. 

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 foreword, 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

 Turning the Tide (Spanish translation)