The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), the global alliance of regional associations, national federations and institutions, has revealed the winners of the WAZA Conservation Award, Environment Sustainability Award and Heini Hediger Award.
WAZA members’ accomplishments in conservation, sustainability, and individual professional excellence were honoured at the 78th WAZA Annual Conference, which took place from 8 to 12 October 2023 at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA).
WAZA Heini Hediger Award
The Heini Hediger Award was presented to Houston Zoo president and CEO Lee Ehmke (pictured). A strong leader with a diverse skillset, and degrees in political science, law, and landscape architecture, Ehmke is recognised for his innovative approach to the management of zoological institutions, with exhibit designs which combine animal welfare with impactful guest experiences.
Between 2009 and 2020, Ehmke was a member of the WAZA Council. He served as president from 2013 to 2015.
Ehmke advocated for two key WAZA initiatives during his presidency: Caring for Wildlife: The World Zoo and Aquarium Animal Welfare Strategy and Committing to Conservation: The World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy. These programmes demonstrated his commitment to improving animal welfare in institutions around the world, as well as establishing the role of zoos and aquariums in biodiversity protection and conservation.
The Heini Hediger Award is the highest professional honour, named after Heini Hediger, the Swiss biologist regarded as the “Father of Zoo Biology.” It reflects the groundbreaking success of an individual who is deeply passionate about animal welfare, conservation, environmental sustainability, and education, and who is actively involved in advancing these causes within their organisation, as well as the wider community.
WAZA Conservation Award
The Conservation Award was presented to Marwell Wildlife in the UK for reintroducing the extinct in the wild scimitar-horned oryx.
After an 80-year absence and extinction across its global range, Marwell Wildlife, in collaboration with the Tunisian government, has successfully restored the scimitar-horned oryx population and habitats in Tunisia. Since 1987, reintroductions from various sources have resulted in a metapopulation that now covers four protected areas. Since 2000, post-release monitoring and research has been ongoing.
The project supports species recovery in Northern Africa through the UN Convention on Migratory Species and serves as a model for large-scale reintroduction efforts like those in Chad. Marwell’s involvement in the management of the WAZA International Studbook and conservation efforts establishes a connection between global off-site and on-site initiatives.
The Dallas World Aquarium’s The Centro de Rescate Amazónico (CREA) in Iquitos and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland Edinburgh Zoo’s Reintroduction of the Eurasian beaver to Scotland were also finalists for the Conservation Award.
The WAZA Conservation Award is awarded to an institution for an excellent, thorough, and targeted conservation programme with clear goals and excellent conservation outcomes.
WAZA Environmental Sustainability Award
Sustainability has long been a top priority for Loro Parque, with an emphasis on minimising negative environmental effects, conserving water and energy, minimising waste, implementing green energy, removing plastic, and sourcing eco-friendly products. Their dedication resulted in the adoption of an environmental management system that complies with the Biosphere, EMAS III, ISO 14001, and ISO 9001 standards.
Loro Parque achieved groundbreaking certification in 2005, as the first zoological facility aligned with both ISO14000 and EMAS. Since then, they have implemented initiatives such as selective waste collection, the early phase-out of single-use plastic in 2018, and a packaging return policy in 2021. With a 26 MWh/year green energy surplus over consumption, Loro Parque is the first emissions-free zoological facility in their group.
Kolmårdens Djurpark and Toronto Zoo were also named as finalists in the WAZA Environmental Sustainability Award.
The award is given to an institution for excellent, all-encompassing environmental sustainability initiatives which further the organization’s dedication and efforts towards environmental sustainability.
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), released its new publication, The WAZA x RtR Short Guide: How your Zoo or Aquarium Can Join Reverse the Red and Halt Biodiversity Decline earlier this month.
