The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), the global alliance of regional associations, national federations and institutions, has announced the winners of its sustainability and conservation awards at the 77th WAZA Annual Conference.
The WildCare Institute Center for Avian Health at the Saint Louis Zoo in the Galapagos Islands won the Conservation Award for their work on disease control and habitat conservation, their use of an integrated One Health approach, and their collaboration with regional conservation agencies on training programmes and legislative or policy initiatives.
The WAZA Conservation Award honours a remarkable and thorough conservation programme with precise goals and superior conservation results.
The UNITE project at the North Carolina Zoo and the WildCare Institute Ron and Karen Goellner Center for Hellbender Conservation at the Saint Louis Zoo were the other two candidates for this coveted prize.
Sharing sustainability efforts
The Environment Sustainability Award was given to Marwell Wildlife in the UK for their innovative and consistent approach to sustainability management, which included setting long-term goals and commitments to reduce their consumption of carbon and water and improve waste management. The Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations are clearly in line with its vision.
The two other finalists for the Environmental Sustainability Award were Loro Parque, Spain, and Toronto Zoo, Canada. This award is granted to an institution for outstanding, comprehensive environmental sustainability initiatives that advance commitment and efforts towards environmental sustainability.
Industry influencer
The Heini Hediger Award was given to Radosaw Ratajszcak, director emeritus of Zoo Wrocław, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to WAZA, Polish zoos, and the international zoo and aquarium community. His efforts to modernise and raise the bar of zoos has influenced the way they are today.
His influence also extends outside of the zoo community as a result of his involvement with on-site conservation in nations like Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines, which has aided in the local conservation of critically endangered species.
This award is the highest award for professional excellence, named in honour of Heini Hediger, the Swiss biologist known as the ‘father of zoo biology‘. It represents the pioneering success of an individual who is strongly committed to animal welfare, conservation, environmental sustainability, and education and is actively involved in furthering these causes within their zoo or aquarium.
Earlier this year, WAZA launched its new PalmOil Scan mobile application, which aims to empower consumers to make more sustainable purchases.
