European Association of Zoos and Aquaria

EAZA Annual Conservation Campaigns

Introduction

Campaign results

EAZA European Carnivore Campaign 2008/2009

EAZA Amphibian Campaign 2007/2008

EAZA Madagascar Campaign 2006/2007

EAZA Rhino Campaign 2005/2006

EAZA Shellshock Campaign 2004/2005

EAZA Tiger Campaign 2002-2004

EAZA Rainforest Campaign 2001/2002

EAZA Bushmeat Campaign 2000/2001

Introduction

In 2000 EAZA started with an important activity: organising annual conservation campaigns. These campaigns increase the cooperation between EAZA and important conservation organisations. Conservation organisations have been involved in financing parts of the different campaigns but have also helped in the preparation and running of the campaigns. Other conservation organisations were funded with money that was collected during the EAZA campaigns.

EAZA promotes and facilitates participation in its annual conservation campaigns by providing its membership with campaign information packages. These include background information and guidelines on the specific campaign, as well as photographs which may be used by EAZA member institutions to prepare exhibitions and activities during the campaign year.

This website section provides an overview of the campaigns EAZA is currently involved in and their contribution to nature conservation.

Campaign results

Click here to find an overview of results of the EAZA Annual Conservation Campaigns (pdf format).

EAZA European Carnivore Campaign
"Living together"

When we, Europeans, think about nature conservation, we tend to think in terms of exotic species in faraway places. We often forget that here, in our own continent, we still have beautiful landscapes, complex habitats and a diverse fauna, which also need help.

As carnivores more and more move into 'our' space, they become competitors for 'our' resources and living space. As a result, we no longer seem to respect them and see them as pests which damage our profit margins or safety.
We should however be aware that they are objects of beauty and wonder and, as carnivores are usually so easily recognizable by the general public (e.g. wolf, bear, lynx), that they make excellent flag ship species that can be used to raise awareness of conservation needs.

The EAZA European Carnivore Campaign 2008/9 was launched on 17 September 2008 with the aim to raise awareness for nature in Europe in general and large carnivores in particular. A relaunch, extending the campaign into 2010 with the addition of some new species, is planned for the EAZA Annual Conference in September 2009.

Read more on the special campaign website

Carnivore Campaign Merchandise

To assist participating zoos and aquariums in setting up a special Carnivore Campaign corner in their gift shops, the Campaign planning group has made arrangements with a number of companies to prepare special merchandise with the official Campaign logo. These companies have agreed to donate a percentage of the sales revenue from each product to the Carnivore Campaign. Download the catalogues below.

Ravensden - plush toys, mugs, writing materials, etc.

Zoo Trend - plush toys, etc.

Photo: Programa de Conservación Ex-situ del Lince Ibérico

Amphibian Alarm - the EAZA Year of the Frog Campaign 2007/2008

Amphibians are declining rapidly; species, genus' and even families are getting extinct at so far an unknown rate. One third to one half of all amphibian species are threatened with extinction, with probably more than 120 already gone in recent years. Scientists believe many species may go extinct before we are able to act. There is however one option that can save hundreds of species if we act rapidly; captive breeding.

The EAZA Year of the Frog Campaign aimed to raise awareness of the amphibian extinction crisis and to raise funds for the captive breeding of threatened amphibian species.

Photo: Ron Holt, Courtesy Atlant

EAZA Madagascar Campaign 2006/2007 - 'Arovako i Madagasikara'

Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world, 1600 km in length and covering 590,000 km². The striking diversity and varied topography of Madagascar has led to the island being called the '8^th continent'. But the island's unique flora and fauna is under threat, mainly due to human population growth. Large scale habitat alteration and degradation, habitat loss, pollution, hunting, introduced species and trade are the main reasons for the rapid decline.

©Joanna Durbin

EAZA Rhino Campaign 2005/2006 - 'Save the Rhinos'

The prehistoric-looking rhinos used to be relatively abundant, as recently as only 50 years ago, but in recent decades tens of thousands of animals have been slaughtered for their horn. Five rhinoceros species survive of which four species are critically endangered. The fifth EAZA Annual conservation campaign 'Save the Rhinos, the EAZA Rhino Campaign 2005/6' was dedicated to the conservation and survival in the wild of the rhinoceros.

EAZA Shellshock Campaign 2004/2005

Tortoises and turtles have been on our planet for over 200 million years. They have witnessed the rise and fall of dinosaurs, they have seen the first birds fly, and they have observed our own evolution from the most harmless of primates. Now, in the space of less than twenty years they are being wiped from the face of the planet. EAZA therefore organised the EAZA Turtle and Tortoise Campaign in 2004/2005.

EAZA Tiger Campaign 2002-2004

The charismatic tiger is seriously endangered
in the wild. Currently only 5 of the formerly
8 subspecies remain. Via the EAZA Tiger Campaign,
9 tiger conservation projects in India, Thailand,
Russia and Indonesia are supported.

EAZA Rainforest Campaign 2001/2002

The Atlantic Rainforest ranks among the top 5 of the world's most threatened biodiversity hotspots. By our efforts of protecting the charismatic lion tamarins, the whole ecosystem will benefit.

EAZA Bushmeat Campaign 2000/2001

The bushmeat crisis is one of the biggest threats to the worlds most endangered species like gorilla, chimpanzee and elephant. Our efforts are needed to stop this illegal and unsustainable trade.