70th WAZA Annual Conference and Technical Congress
DOC70.26
Zoos & Aquariums Making a Difference in Conservation
Resolution 70.1 70.1)
& Animal Welfare – 80 Years of Zoo & Aquarium Leadership Al Ain, UAE, 11-15 October 2015
(RES
Animal Interactions Background The increasing use of interactive experiences in zoos and aquariums has been informed by the expectation that close proximity between people and animals, and where possible ‘actual contact’, can increase the likelihood, scope and impact of environmental education and commitment to conservation actions. However, research on this proposition has not yet produced definitive results. Interactive experiences vary between organisations, ranging from experiences where people are brought into animal exhibits, to ones where animals and people may have hands-on contact. Although the risk is low, any situation where animals and people are in close contact has the potential to result in the spread of disease, including zoonosis. All interactions between people and zoo animals need to be carefully evaluated to always ensure that the animal’s welfare is not compromised. Interactions between zoo-staff and zoo animals should also be appropriate and properly planned to contribute to a positive welfare outcome. The ultimate aim for any animal-person interaction is that it is a positive and stimulating experience for the person and the animal. It is also important to consider the holistic welfare of animals used in these situations i.e. not only during the interactive experiences but also for their time outside of the actual interactions. Many zoos and aquariums have developed guidelines for interactions with animals and public demonstrations that are useful guides for individual zoos and aquariums considering or undertaking interactive experiences. RECOGNISING the increasing use of interactive experiences in zoos and aquariums. NOTING WITH GREAT CONCERN misuse of animals in such interactive experiences in some zoos and aquariums. APPLAUDING the publication of the World Zoo and Aquarium Animal Welfare Strategy, which contains recommendations on interactions between people and zoo animals. The 70th WAZA Annual Conference RECOMMENDS that WAZA members adopt a policy on interactions between people and zoo animals, and follow the recommendations as published in the World Zoo and Aquarium Animal Welfare Strategy.
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DOC70.26
70th WAZA Annual Conference and Technical Congress Zoos & Aquariums Making a Difference in Conservation & Animal Welfare – 80 Years of Zoo & Aquarium Leadership Al Ain, UAE, 11-15 October 2015
Resolution 70.2 (RES 70.2) World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy Background IUDZG as the predecessor of WAZA has published the first ever conservation strategy for zoos in 1993, as The World Zoo Conservation Strategy. At that time it was stated that nature conservation must be the central theme of zoos in the future, largely building on the strategy Caring for the Earth, jointly published by IUCN, UNEP and WWF in 1991. More than 10 years later it was felt that an update was necessary and in 2005 WAZA published the World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy. This time aquariums were systematically included, as well as new topics like evaluation, marketing and PR, sustainability (green practices) and partnerships. The 2015 World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy: Committing to Conservation provides compelling examples of best practices and conservation success stories, as well as links to other conservation resources. This updated and revised version incorporates new advances and approaches, such as social media, the One Plan Approach, climate change statistics and impact metrics, that better articulates our vision and commitment to becoming conservation leaders. The primary objective of this 2015 document is to appeal to the leaders of WAZA zoos and aquariums that "committing more resources to saving animals in the wild is not only the right thing to do, but this is what our local and global communities expect of us". This user friendly edition provides both the tools and incentives for all institutions to increase their conservation commitment both internally and externally, and to realize the full collective potential of our institutions to help reverse the seemingly inexorable decline of wildlife and habitat loss. RECALLING the importance of the 1993 and 2005 Conservation Strategies of WAZA NOTING the significance of providing strategic guidance on effective conservation practices to WAZA members RECOGNISING the increasing need of conservation involvement of the zoo and aquarium community to bridge the gap between in situ (field-based) and ex situ (outside of natural habitat) approaches. FURTHER RECOGNISING that an integrative approach to save wildlife and habitats and working in partnership with like-minded organizations is the most effective way to achieve positive conservation impact. REDEFINING zoos and aquariums as organizations that save populations of species in the wild, as well as providing exceptional care for the animals in their institutions, as well as behaviour changing experiences for their 700 million annual guests. APPLAUDING the publication of the 2015 World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy: Committing to Conservation ACKNOWLEDGING the support and collaboration of the WAZA members and the global conservation community in drafting this strategy The 70th WAZA Annual Conference RECOMMENDS that WAZA members strengthen the support and involvement in conservation endeavours to increase our community’s focus on creating positive conservation outcomes.
STRONGLY ADVISES that WAZA members follow the recommendations as published in the 2015 World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy: Committing to Conservation.
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