Technical Assistance

Unfortunately many animals are still kept under horrible conditions in low standard zoos throughout Europe. EAZA is prepared to assist zoos that are committed to improving their standards of animal welfare and zoo management, and that are willing to become modern zoos adhering to the vision set out in the World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy. Our ultimate goal is to bring more and more zoos and aquariums into the EAZA network, but only if they can demonstrate a commitment to improve their standards in all areas.

Technical Assistance Committee

The Technical Assitance Committee (previously known as Technical Assistance & Animal Welfare) encourages sharing of knowledge between zoos and provides practical support and advice for improvements in areas such as animal welfare, enclosure design, visitor services, education, veterinary medicine and conservation. Applying political pressure on relevant political authorities to encourage change or to provide additional budget and support is another way in which the committee helps zoos. Five percent of EAZA's annual budget is made available for the important work of the TA Committee.

The committee is led by a core group of seven members, each of which is responsible for the development and implementation of the committee's action plan in priority countries or a certain geographic region, mostly in Central and Eastern Europe. The committee consists of experienced zoo staff working in EAZA member institutions, with support and coordination provided by the EAZA Executive Office. It draws on a wide range of experts such as managers, veterinarians, curators and educators to cover all zoo-related fields. The current chairman is Wim Verberkmoes of GaiaPark Kerkrade Zoo in the Netherlands.

Training, Exchange & Travel Grants

EAZA member zoos and aquariums have an immense amount of knowledge and experience on a variety of zoo management topics. The Technical Assistance Committee stimulates the exchange of knowledge and expertise between EAZA members and with the candidates for EAZA membership. As the Committee's primary goal is assisting zoos and aquariums in the Central and Eastern European region towarsd reaching EAZA standards, the committee has set up a training scheme for this region. To nominate colleagues for training zoos can contact the EAZA Executive Office. Training topics can vary from animal husbandry and collection planning to education, and from general zoo management to marketing and fundraising.

The Committee also provides travel grants to help staff working for zoos in Central and Eastern Europe to participate in relevant events organised by the European zoo community. With small amounts of money to cover the costs of travelling, employees from zoos in Central and Eastern Europe are able to participate in meetings, workshops, seminars and other gatherings where they can meet and work with their colleagues from other parts of Europe and the rest of the world.

For information on the training and exchange scheme, or to apply for a travel grant, please contact Sietske Veenman (sietske.veenman@eaza.net) at the EAZA Executive Office.