One World, One Zoo, One WAZA Professor Gordon McGregor Reid President of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and Director General, North of England Zoological Society/Chester Zoo Chester , UK
With a rapidly growing number of animal species approaching ‘Extinct in the Wild’ status, the numerous roles of modern zoos and aquariums have never been more vital. Some 600 million people visit zoos and aquariums each year world-wide, which makes this a bigger mass public participation activity than football! Zoos and aquariums are therefore uniquely placed to communicate with a large proportion of the global population and foster in their visitors an appreciation of the natural environment. The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) is a single unifying entity, representative of the global zoo and aquarium community including the keeping, curatorial, veterinary, scientific, educational, charitable and commercial fraternities. WAZA acts to harmonise the principles, practices, policy and strategy of over 1300 zoos and aquariums. WAZA’s vision is to be a trusted and leading partner in the conservation of biodiversity, with a particular focus on those species expertly cared for by zoo and aquarium keepers. Its mission is to provide leadership and support for zoos, aquariums and partner organisations of the world in animal care and welfare, conservation of biodiversity, environmental education and global sustainability. WAZA works in partnership with individual zoos and aquariums, regional associations, the IUCN, national governments and non-government organisations. This is to ensure high standards of animal welfare and to achieve conservation and sustainability both in zoos and aquariums (ex situ) and in nature (in situ).
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