Lucia Ju

Lucia Ju became director of Taipei Zoo in January 2025 after 30 years at the institution. She is the fourth internal candidate to reach the role and holds a master’s degree from the Institute of Horticulture, National Taiwan University. Her career at the zoo has spanned technical, research and management roles, including serving as deputy director from 2020 to 2025.

Ju has contributed to Taipei Zoo’s animal care, conservation and breeding programmes, as well as to initiatives to restore local biodiversity. Internationally, she has supported cooperation with other zoos through animal exchanges and conservation partnerships. In 2026, Taipei Zoo welcomed two red pandas from Shanghai Zoo to strengthen genetic diversity and a Malayan tapir from Singapore Zoo as part of a coordinated breeding programme. Ju has also promoted professional exchange and the development of conservation talent through partnerships with international institutions.

In May 2026, Ju led Taipei Zoo in hosting the sixth Joint Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) Meeting in partnership with the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). The first meeting in its 12-year history to take place in Asia, it brought together international specialists to discuss animal population management and species recovery. Participation extended beyond TAG chairs to include field biologists, IUCN specialists and in situ conservation partners, broadening collaboration between zoos and wildlife conservation teams.