AZA, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, has launched a new video series highlighting the efforts of over 55 SAFE species programmes across five continents and the oceans.
This series showcases AZA-accredited aquariums and zoos working in the field to protect threatened and endangered species, restore habitats, and collaborate with communities worldwide.
Conservation is central to the missions of AZA-accredited facilities, and AZA SAFE: Saving Animals from Extinction is the association's leading conservation initiative.
It currently supports 56 species programmes encompassing hundreds of species. These build on existing recovery plans, emphasise collaboration among AZA institutions engaged in global conservation efforts, implement strategic activities, and track progress through reporting.
SAFE acts as a force multiplier for conservation efforts.
Collective expertise
“SAFE recognizes that successful conservation goes beyond protecting species. It involves supporting local communities and fostering representation and participation with all stakeholders in the process,” says Shelly Grow, vice president of conservation and science for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
“Through AZA SAFE, our member facilities are bringing their collective expertise and resources outside of the footprint of their facilities and collaborating with their partners in the field to help save these vulnerable species and the habitats they need to survive and thrive.”
The AZA SAFE video series comprises five videos featuring footage from AZA-accredited member facilities. Three of these videos highlight how SAFE programmes benefit habitats, animal populations, and the communities involved.
Habitat: Restoring ecosystems
AZA SAFE is supporting efforts to stabilise and enhance critical wildlife habitats, from reforesting landscapes in Malaysia for orangutans and restoring coral reefs in Florida to supplying nesting boxes for thick-billed parrots in Mexico.
Population: Saving species
AZA members are working globally to expand and stabilise wildlife populations, from releasing the critically endangered Wyoming toad into the Laramie River to monitoring African vultures in Kenya and re-establishing American red wolves in North Carolina.
Community: Inspiring people
AZA SAFE has been inspiring communities worldwide, from teaching children in India about sloth bears to working with Minnesota agencies to safeguard turtles and educating young people in Chile about flamingos.
AZA also recently opened registration for the 2026 AZA Annual Conference, with early-bird rates available until 28 August. The conference, the largest and most comprehensive event for zoo and aquarium professionals in the US, will be hosted by Oregon Zoo in Portland from 26 September to 1 October.
Charlotte Coates is blooloop's editor. She is from Brighton, UK and previously worked as a librarian. She has a strong interest in arts, culture and information and graduated from the University of Sussex with a degree in English Literature. Charlotte can usually be found either with her head in a book or planning her next travel adventure.
