The blooloop 50 Zoo & Aquarium Influencer List 2025

Kevin Buley, Auckland Zoo’s director, has worked in the zoo industry for over 25 years. “A good modern zoo is more relevant than ever,” he says. “Zoos on their own are not going to save wildlife and save this planet, but the people that visit zoos, the people that connect with good zoos will.”

He began his career as a reptile and amphibian keeper at Jersey Zoo before becoming the head of its world-renowned herpetology department. In 2002, Buley moved to Chester Zoo, the UK’s largest and most successful visitor attraction outside of London. There, he worked as head of zoo programmes. 

He became Auckland Zoo’s deputy director and head of life sciences in 2010, and was appointed director in 2018. Buley has played a key role in the institution’s expansion and success, and has built a team of international experts in wildlife management, field conservation, veterinary medicine, science, research and education.

Buley was responsible for establishing the zoo’s life sciences department as one of the greatest in the world. His accomplishments include the successful management of the complex relocation of two Asian elephants to Australia, initiating a groundbreaking new approach to the zoo’s master plan that integrates Te Ao Māori throughout, and leading the signing of a new strategic partnership with the Department of Conservation.

Auckland Zoo works with New Zealand’s Department of Conservation to help actively save many bird, reptile and invertebrate species from extinction. Speaking to blooloop about the importance of ‘good zoos’, he said: “It is the 10 percent that put their money where their mouth is. They are genuine advocates for conservation, and they connect people with wildlife. They are involved in conservation, breeding and reintroduction programs. 

“These zoos get their staff out into the wild using that skill set, to do biological or social science research. Where you have those zoos delivering in that way, as Auckland Zoo is doing in New Zealand, it makes a real difference to wildlife.”

“A good zoo has to be delivering on conservation. And you can expect the animals in the care of that zoo to have a better life, in many ways, than their counterparts in the wild. That’s significant,” he added.

In 2025, Buley was named president of the Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA), which represents zoos, aquariums, wildlife parks and sanctuaries across Australasia, championing conservation, animal welfare and education across the sector.

He also serves on two WAZA Committees, Communications and Ethics and Animal Welfare.

Paula Cerdán is head of conservation and animal welfare at the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). In this role, she collaborates with a worldwide network of prominent zoos, aquariums, and similar organisations to enhance their collective influence on biodiversity and animal welfare.

She also oversees and coordinates the efforts of key WAZA committees, including Conservation & Environmental Sustainability (CESC), Ethics and Animal Welfare (EAWC), and Population Management (CPM). This role helps shape strategic goals and frameworks that foster shared understanding and steer the development of the global zoo & aquarium community.

In her previous role as WAZA’s animal welfare and conservation coordinator, she played a key role in developing the WAZA 2023 Animal Welfare Goal. Moreover, Cerdán has contributed to the WAZA 2027 Population Management Goal and is now guiding the upcoming WAZA 2030 Conservation Goal.

As CEO, Jamie Christon is responsible for the overall leadership of Chester Zoo’s organisational plan and its team of directors and senior management. The zoo is one of the largest and most popular in Europe. 

Christon joined Chester Zoo in 2013 as the zoo’s COO before being named CEO in March 2021. He focused on the zoo’s financial recovery after the pandemic. In 2022, he re-established the strategic development plan and is now supporting the zoo’s conservation masterplan, which will take the institution to its 100th anniversary in 2031.

He is chair of the British & Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), a World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) council member, and chair of Marketing Cheshire.

After graduating with a degree in politics, Christon started his career in high street food and retail department store management. He went on to work for Manchester Airport Group, leading commercial operations. After this, he became managing director at Exeter Airport in Devon and later oversaw onboard operations for Stena Line in Europe. 

In 2019, Chester Zoo welcomed over 2 million visitors, employed 1,000 staff and had a turnover of £46 million. Under Christon’s leadership, it has gone from strength to strength.

Speaking to blooloop in 2018, he said: “Every species here at Chester Zoo is here for a particular reason and has a particular function. That could be breeding; it could be because it is extinct in the wild; it might be because it is here to be protected from poaching and the illegal wildlife trade; or, like the Sumatran orangutans or the Sumatran tigers, because it is critically endangered in the wild.”

As well as being a popular tourist attraction, Chester Zoo is a conservation education charity with a vital mission. As part of the organisation’s ten-year master plan, it aims to significantly contribute to tackling the global extinction crisis.

At greenloop 2022, attendees learned how it is helping to create sustainable palm oil communities. The “Sustainable Palm Oil City” initiative, which encouraged local businesses and restaurants to adopt responsible sourcing practices, won gold at the BIAZA awards.

As AZA SAFE Coral program manager at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Beth Firchau combines purpose, science, and passion to inspire a whole sector to tackle one of the most pressing environmental crises of our time: the decline of coral reef ecosystems.

She started her career in 1990 as a special needs education programme coordinator, and a year later took on the roles of marine aquarist and dive operations supervisor at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell, Ohio. She joined AZA in the same month she was hired full-time. Over her 32-year career as a professional aquarist, public aquarium curator, and director of husbandry at several AZA-accredited facilities, she has actively supported AZA through various leadership roles on board-appointed committees and taxon advisory groups.

In 2018, under her guidance and in partnership with state and federal agencies, AZA launched the Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project (FRTRP), a pioneering, multi-species coral rescue operation. This initiative protected thousands of coral specimens from imminent loss and also established a foundation for a national network of coral care facilities. These institutions have become centres of scientific progress, long-term coral banking, and restoration planning.

What distinguishes Firchau is her capacity to unite diverse stakeholders—government agencies, NGOs, aquariums, and scientists—into a cohesive, action-oriented coalition. Her efforts have prompted a shift in how public aquariums approach conservation: from passive education to active ecosystem restoration.

Firchau is a dedicated champion of capacity building, mentoring the next generation of conservation professionals and promoting a culture of shared learning and transparency. Her presentations, including "Public Aquariums Creating Conservation Impact Together,” demonstrate her commitment to collective action and measurable outcomes.

Myfanwy Griffith has been the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) executive director since 2014. She has spent the last decade leading, progressing and catalysing the positive impacts of the largest regional association for the zoo and aquarium sector.

Griffith is a member of the Conservation Planning Specialist Group, IUCN Species Survival Commission, and IUCN Commission on Education and Communication. She also serves on the WAZA Council and the Board of Trustees for Species 360. 

Griffith began her career in zoos, first as a zookeeper intern and then in the education department at Chester Zoo. During this time, she discovered her passion for wildlife education and moved from zoos to animal management colleges. 

She joined EAZA in 2011 in the new position of EAZA Academy training officer, where she helped expand the number and range of training events and courses EAZA offers. After three years, she became manager at the EAZA Academy. She was then appointed executive director and has transformed EAZA by expanding roles and services to the membership and developing a new strategic roadmap.

One person who nominated Griffiths said: "For over a decade, Myfanwy Griffith has been a transformative force in the global zoo and aquarium community. As Executive Director of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), she has led the organisation through a period of unprecedented growth, complexity, and influence.

"Her leadership has not only elevated EAZA’s strategic vision but has also strengthened its role as a global standard-bearer for conservation, education, and animal welfare."

Another said: “Myfanwy is widely recognised for her calm, culturally sensitive leadership style and her ability to navigate complex challenges with clarity and compassion. Whether guiding members through crises or advocating for the role of zoos in global conservation, she brings authenticity, vision, and a collaborative spirit that inspires trust and action."

Eleanore Humphries is director of federal policy and government affairs at Monterey Bay Aquarium, where she champions science-based policy at all levels of government to conserve the ocean.

In her former role as senior manager of federal ocean policy at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Humphries said: “The most fundamental work I do is try to learn about not just environmental impact, but also the community impact, of climate change, plastic pollution, overfishing, and loss of biodiversity and ecosystem function so we can start to shape strong solutions. The people who are impacted often know what needs to be done, so you better check in with them.”

Humphries previously served as policy chair for the Aquarium Conservation Partnership, a coalition aimed at inspiring collective action for ocean and freshwater conservation. The ACP brings together leading aquariums and zoos across the US and aims to improve marine health through initiatives that reduce plastic waste, safeguard ecosystems and wildlife, and encourage sustainable practices.

“We are able to bring our science expertise, conservation programming, public engagement (dozens of millions of people visit our aquariums each year), and experience as regional employers and businesses to important policy conversations,” she said.

One nominator said: "Through her expertise in government affairs and her ability to build strategic partnerships, Humphries has elevated the voice of aquariums in critical policy conversations, ensuring that conservation science informs decisions that impact our oceans and wildlife."

Elise Marquis serves as senior director at Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The facility includes a rescue clinic, a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital, more than 25 rescue and rehabilitation pools, laboratories, and an aquaculture facility. It also features a dry classroom and a wet classroom to educate the next generation of marine biologists.

At the new centre, the rescue team helps sick, injured and orphaned marine animals in the Arabian Gulf, and provides rehabilitation before returning them to their natural habitats. The research team focuses on the Arabian Gulf's marine ecology, covering marine biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, pollution and wildlife health.

As a marine ecologist, Marquis studies coastal and pelagic ecosystems, as well as the dynamics of marine food webs, with a focus on planktonic communities. For more than 17 years, she has been studying the ecosystems of the Arabian Gulf. In her role at Yas SeaWorld’s rescue centre, Marquis oversees its missions and operations, including scientific research, marine wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, and educational initiatives.

Ayana Melvan, senior director of conservation action at the Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP), has demonstrated exceptional leadership in promoting ocean justice, equity, and conservation within the zoo and aquarium sector.

She is leading initiatives that not only protect marine environments but also ensure that the benefits and responsibilities of ocean conservation are shared fairly across communities. Her work explores the intersection of environmental sustainability and social justice, making her a distinctive and influential voice in the field.

As a leading advocate for ocean justice, Melvan champions policies that cater to the needs of marginalised communities while promoting the health of marine ecosystems. She recognises that conservation is most effective when it's inclusive and has worked tirelessly to integrate equity and accessibility into the strategies of zoos and aquariums. This approach has influenced how institutions view their role in both local and global conservation efforts.

Besides her advocacy for equity, she is leading policy initiatives that shape the future of ocean conservation and the zoo and aquarium sector. Her expertise has helped develop progressive regulations and best practices that focus on animal welfare, environmental care, and social responsibility. Through these efforts, she has earned respect as a leader whose ideas and actions are transforming the industry.

Melvan also excels in education and public engagement, utilising her platform to raise awareness about biodiversity, ocean health, and climate impacts. She has led innovative programmes that inspire audiences to take action for the planet while mentoring the next generation of conservation leaders. Her dedication to collaboration ensures that her work has a ripple effect—impacting policies, institutions, and communities alike.

With her visionary leadership, commitment to justice, and transformative policy initiatives, Ayana Melvan is not only shaping the present but also paving the way for a more sustainable and equitable future for our oceans and the global zoo and aquarium community.

Anaïs Tritto is assistant vice president of animal care at Mandai Wildlife Group in Singapore, which oversees five wildlife parks – the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, Bird Paradise and Rainforest Wild Asia.

Before joining Mandai Wildlife Group in 2018, Tritto worked at the Cikananga Conservation Breeding Centre in Indonesia as a field biologist and reintroduction programme manager for the black-winged myna, before taking over the management of the breeding centre.

Earlier this year at Mandai’s Bird Paradise, the first-ever successful hatching of an endangered kagu chick made history. “Welcoming our first kagu chick has been incredibly special for the team,” said Tritto.

“After several unsuccessful incubation attempts by the parent birds, we stepped in to artificially incubate the egg, carefully controlling the temperature and humidity to replicate natural nesting conditions as closely as possible to support healthy development. For a species as rare and challenging to breed in managed care, every successful hatch represents both a scientific achievement and a source of hope.”

James Watuwa is chief/head zoo veterinarian at Riyadh Zoo, where he leads a multidisciplinary team which cares for over 1,500 animals spanning 160 species. Additionally, he coordinates conservation programmes and contributes to the wider scientific and conservation community through applied research.

His experience includes work in a wide range of animal care and research roles, including as African regional shoebill stork studbook coordinator for the Pan African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZA) at Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC Zoo) in Uganda, where he also served as a senior wildlife and zoo veterinarian.

In this role, he planned and coordinated animal healthcare programmes, conducts effective quarantine procedures for the animals to ensure optimal health, and provides veterinary extension services for communities.

Watuwa co-founded the Endangered Wildlife Conservation Organization (EWCO) to drive biodiversity conservation in Uganda. Here, he led the orgaisation’s efforts to explore, document and protect the country’s most threatened species and habitats.

His research has included studying the effect of oil exploration activities on African bush elephants, also known as the African Savanna elephant.

African bush elephants are the largest living land mammals, weighing up to 7 tonnes. They travel in herds through forests, wetlands, woodlands, grasslands and agricultural areas in 37 African countries. Listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, elephants are rapidly disappearing in the wild.

Watuwa is working as a wildlife veterinarian and conservation researcher to address some of Uganda’s most pressing wildlife and conservation priorities. These include providing accurate health diagnosis, analysis and prevention strategies, leading de-snaring interventions, and offering wildlife healthcare and veterinary support in protected areas.

After studying veterinary medicine at Makerere University, he started working as a volunteer wildlife veterinarian at the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. He was later offered a job with Conservation Through Public Health, a non-profit organisation in Uganda and the US that conducts programmes to protect gorillas and other wildlife from human and livestock disease risk.