THE SECOND WORLD ZOO CONSERVATION STRATEGY

[Guest guest]

Please find attached a small introduction to the new World Zoo Conservation

Strategy. It actually seems a bit softer than the first one published in 1993.

Let us see how the anti zoo lobby responds. RRegarding Thai Elephants, it is not

surprising to note the animals could go to Australia. The move has a precedent

in the US when San Diego Zoo played the crudest form of brinkmanship to bring in

African Elephants from Swaziland a few years ago (Despite the fact that

alternative wild habitat was offered by animal welfare organisations). The move

was legally challenged but ultimately defeated. I am always amazed at the

fatuous and arrogant colonial attitude that accompanies such moves, for example,

bringing in Black Rhinos from Zimbabwe to Australia effectively gives the

message that the Zimbabweans are incapable of protecting the animals in their

own country. Prospect of reintroduction is zero and valuable dollars will be

wasted in captive maintenance while the wild habitat shrinks by the hour. The

Australian zoo move has everything to do with jingling cash boxes and nothing to

do with conservation just like bringing Giant Pandas to American zoos is purely

for profit. It is even more surprising in the wake of the new zoo 'conservation'

strategy. Let us hope the campaigners gain ground.

Best wishes and kind regards,

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

The New WZACS Launched in May 2005

http://www.waza.org/conservation/index.php?main=conservation & view=strategies

 

The New World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy was launched on May 2,

2005, at the Joint Annual Conference of ARAZPA and SEAZA, at Melbourne.

Australia.

 

In 1993, The World Zoo Organisation (IUDZG) and the Captive Breeding Specialist

Group of The World Conservation Union (IUCN) published The World Zoo

Conservation Strategy. That strategy defined, for the first time in a single

document, the responsibilities and opportunities that the international zoo and

aquarium community needed, in order to be fully involved in nature conservation.

The pressures and threats to wildlife remain and have indeed increased. The need

for help in conservation has intensified. It is therefore an opportune time for

all zoos and aquariums to re-examine the ways and means by which they can

consolidate and increase their support and involvement in conservation.

 

In 2005 this second strategy, Building a Future for Wildlife: the World Zoo and

Aquarium Conservation Strategy, has been published by the World Zoo and Aquarium

Association (WAZA). This document reinforces and expands the overall themes of

the first document and presents a vision of the roles that all zoos and

aquariums can and must play in the conservation of wildlife and of their

ecosystems. The 72 page document, which is the result of assistance and advice

from over 350 people, is truly international in its scope and in its production.

 

The Strategy is aimed at all zoos and aquariums, however large or small, however

rich or poor, and not just those that are members of WAZA. The Strategy provides

a common philosophy for zoos and aquariums across the globe and defines the

standards and policies that are necessary to achieve their goals in

conservation. The 2005 Strategy will be of use and interest not to only zoo and

aquarium people but to anyone concerned with biodiversity conservation and

sustainable development.

 

The document begins with a supportive foreword from the Director General of The

World Conservation Union (IUCN), and a preface by the President of WAZA and by

the Chair of the WAZA Conservation Committee, that set out the genesis and

production of the Strategy. The document comprises an Introduction, followed by

nine chapters, with each chapter having a summary, a vision statement, a main

text, conclusions, and a series of recommendations. The final pages include four

appendices: a glossary of terms used in the text, a list of acronyms with their

full title and website, acknowledgements, and a list of the illustrations.

 

This Strategy, which will be complemented by resources on this web site, will be

used by individual zoos and aquariums, by national and regional associations,

and by WAZA itself, as the basis for the development of action plans for the

implementation of the recommendations.

 

A German version of the new strategy will be available in June. French, Spanish,

Russian, Czech, Urdu, Hindi, Bengali or Bangla, Dari and Singala versions are

currently under preparation.

 

 

Zoo Future 2005

 

 

To assist WAZA members with further implementation of the World Zoo Conservation

Strategy, WAZA conducted a Strategic Planning Workshop May 12-14, 1995 In

Cologne, Germany. The workshop was led by two professional facilitators, Dr.

Frances Westley, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, and Dr. Harrie Vredenburg,

University of Calgary, Canada, both specialized in management processes related

to conservation and environmental protection. At the workshop, a group of 40

people from all parts of the world, with expertise in the areas of conservation,

animal welfare, universities, and media, discussed intensively the future

evolution of zoos and the role WAZA, has to play in the process.

 

The 1995 Futures Search Workshop formulated a vision of where WAZA, and where

zoos and aquariums, should be positioned in the year 2005. This vision was

adopted as a policy document at the 50th Annual Conference of the then IUDZG-The

World Zoo Organisation held from October 1-5, 1995, at Dublin, Ireland.

 

An edited and commented PDF version of the Workshop Proceedings is contained in

the Members Area (under 'Conservation') and can be downloaded by WAZA Members.

 

 

The World Zoo Conservation Strategy, 1993

 

The World Zoo Conservation Strategy of 1993 demonstrates to the wider world that

zoos and aquaria are prepared and able to dedicate their efforts to

conservation. It aims to increase:

 

- the contribution by individual zoos and aquaria to all aspects of

conservation;

- the motivation of zoo staff;

- the committment of governing bodies; and

- the support of governmental agencies.

 

Although a new strategy is in place since May 2005, a lot of information

provided in the old document is still relevant and of interest.