The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the global alliance of regional associations, national federations, and institutions, welcomes new members. Poema del Mar Aquarium and Assiniboine Park Zoo join the WAZA global zoo and aquarium community as Institutional Members.
Committed to Iberian conservation
Poema del Mar translates to “Poem of the Sea.” The name references the painted works of local Spanish artist Néstor de la Torre.
Firstly, the aquarium aims to foster new relationships with coastal and ocean wildlife. As an institution, Poema del Mar commits itself to research, conservation, habitat preservation, and education through engagement.
Sustainable futures are important to the aquarium: In addition to using renewables, saving energy, and reducing contamination, it has implemented CanBIO. Through the CanBIO project, the Loro Parque Foundation established a state-of-the-art marine monitoring network in the Canary Islands.
A relatively newer facility, Poema del Mar Aquarium opened January of 2018 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Operated by the Kiessling family, the aquarium is the latest addition to the Loro Parque Foundation’s collection of attractions.
“On behalf of Poema del Mar Aquarium, it is such an honor to be part of WAZA, a global alliance where we all share the same goal, animal conservation!” says Husbandry Director, Patricia Campos.
Canada’s oldest zoo
The Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg, Manitoba, is the oldest zoological facility in Canada, founded in 1904. Since 2009, when a redevelopment plan for the zoo rolled into action, it has become a destination.
The Assiniboine Park Zoo’s mission is to protect and celebrate biodiversity everywhere; its vision is to inspire commitment to conservation. The organization’s research focuses on conservation in arctic, subarctic, and Manitoba species, as well as international species at risk.
Accordingly, with support from the Province of Manitoba, the zoo opened the Leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Centre in 2012. The center houses the Conservancy’s Conservation and Research department, as well as polar bears that cannot survive in the wild.
“We are very pleased to join the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and be part of a global community of progressive zoological organizations that are actively engaged in critically important efforts to protect and conserve wildlife,” says Senior Director, Animal Care & Conservation, Grant Furniss.
“This will present us with incredible opportunities for networking, professional development, and collaboration on international research and conservation projects.” This kind of collaboration is especially important because the Assiniboine Park Zoo is also committed to public awareness and education.
Earlier, WAZA announced the launch of Sustainable Palm Oil Resources, a website for Zoos and Aquariums.
