The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), the global alliance of regional associations, national federations, and institutions, has opened nominations for the 2026 WAZA Awards.
The awards honour those who are advancing animal welfare, conservation, and environmental sustainability within their own organisations and are also helping to shape the future direction and credibility of the sector worldwide.
WAZA association and institution members are invited to nominate individuals and institutions whose work demonstrates leadership, excellence, and dedication across the international zoo and aquarium community.
The winners will be celebrated at the Gala Dinner at the 81st WAZA Annual Conference, taking place from 25 to 29 October 2026 in Cologne, Germany.
Celebrating excellence
The awards include the Heini Hediger Award, WAZA’s highest accolade for individual professional excellence.
Founded in 1996 and named after the Swiss biologist widely regarded as the 'father of zoo biology', this award acknowledges an individual who has shown outstanding leadership and long-standing contributions to animal welfare, conservation, environmental sustainability, education, and the advancement of the zoo and aquarium profession.
Karen Fifield MNZM(left), WAZA immediate past president, presents the 2025 Heini Hediger Award to Professor Theo B. Pagel (right) ©Cali Zoo and WAZA 2025
Submissions can also be made to the WAZA Conservation Award, which was established in 2016 and honours an institution for an exceptional and comprehensive conservation programme that delivers measurable, positive outcomes for species, ecosystems, and people.
This award demonstrates WAZA’s holistic approach to conservation, including both in situ and ex situ contributions.
See also: 90 years of WAZA and the future of progressive zoos & aquariums
In 2018, the WAZA Environmental Sustainability Award was launched to recognise institutions with outstanding and comprehensive environmental sustainability initiatives that further responsible operations and long-term organisational dedication to sustainability.
The association's most recent honour, the WAZA Animal Welfare Award, was introduced in 2025 to recognise an institution that exemplifies an exceptional, comprehensive, and holistic approach to positive animal welfare.
This award celebrates organisations that demonstrate leadership in science-based animal welfare, integrate welfare into organisational culture, and actively contribute to furthering positive animal welfare across the wider zoo and aquarium sector.
Submissions are open until 15 July 2026, 23:59 CEST (GMT+2). Full details and nomination packs are available on the WAZA website.
Last month, WAZA shared updates on the 6th Joint Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) Meeting, taking place from 25 to 28 May at Taipei Zoo in Taipei, Taiwan.
