The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), the global alliance of regional associations, national federations and institutions, is preparing for its 78th Annual Conference. The event is taking place from 8 to 12 October 2023 at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA).
This year the WAZA Annual Conference has attracted an exceptional level of attention, and registrations have sold out. This interest demonstrates the importance of the event to WAZA’s international membership, and reflects the vital work undertaken by its members.
WAZA award finalists
The conference will honour the accomplishments of WAZA members in environmental sustainability, professional excellence, and conservation.
The WAZA Conservation Award is presented to an institution for an exceptional, thorough, and focused conservation plan with definite goals and superior conservation results.
The three finalists this year are the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland Edinburgh Zoo for reintroducing the Eurasian Beaver to Scotland, Marwell Wildlife for reintroducing the extinct in the wild scimitar-horned oryx, and Dallas World Aquarium for the Centro de Rescate Amazónico (CREA) in Iquitos.
An institution is awarded the WAZA Environmental Sustainability Award for exceptional, all-encompassing environmental sustainability measures that further its dedication and ambition for environmental sustainability. The three candidates for this year are the Toronto Zoo, Loro Parque, and Kolmårdens Djurpark.
At the Gala Dinner, the Heini Hediger Award winner will be revealed together with the recipients of the other WAZA awards.
The WAZA 78th Annual Conference is sponsored by premier partner Attractions.io, WAZA 2023 sponsors Wild Republic and American Humane, keynote sponsor Anchor, and coffee break sponsors Zigong Lantern Group and St Laurent.
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) recently revealed the keynote speakers for this year’s conference, Joel Sartore, Fanny M. Cornejo, Lori Perkins and Jackie Ogden, Kyle Lundby, and Vivek Menon.
