Zoo and Aquarium staff in a wide variety of roles can play a part in the health of wild fish populations, ecosystems, and supply chains. From building sustainable collections to reduce impacts on wild populations, choosing sustainable food for fish and people, and embodying sustainability across the visitor experience, there are many ways to make a difference.

When an animal is in danger, who better to rely on for help than experienced experts from Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited institutions? For two beluga whales at NEMO Dolphinarium in Kharkiv, Ukraine, it took four committed experts from three AZA-accredited facilities to mount a complex and risky transfer out of the war zone and into Spain’s Oceanogràfic Valencia, the largest aquarium in Europe.

As sustainability becomes an ever more important priority for Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited members, zero-waste events have become a reality―even though the concept it isn’t always an easy sell.

Protecting endangered bird species requires continual information gathering about how they use and move across their landscape. Technology is increasingly critical in these efforts; with Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ SAFE programs and their partners across the globe relying on trackers and other devices to obtain new data and develop increased understanding of species behavior.

Ethical Acquisitions for Marine Aquariums Ethical decision-making is built into Association of Zoos and Aquariums professionals’ daily lives, regardless of their roles and responsibilities. For those who are charged with acquiring fish for aquariums,…

When Full Accreditation Doesn’t Happen or is Denied No one likes falling short of an important goal. And when full accreditation is what you’re striving for, hearing that you didn’t make the cut likely evokes a range of negative feelings—especially…

The Role of Scientific Research Zoos and aquariums are widely recognized as providing conservation, education, and a great day out for families; however, the scientific advances in animal health that are taking place behind the scenes represent an…

Zoo-Park Partnerships for America’s Keystone Wildlife Shared goals and commitment create an excellent foundation for a partnership. Add in complementary skill sets, and you have the type of collaborative conservation efforts taking place in the…

Budget, physical footprint, and the number of species you hold do not have to be determining factors in whether or not a zoo or aquarium can play a role in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums community’s population sustainability goals. Small and…

Big Cat Safety Act Becomes Law “Big cats should not be pets. It’s as simple as that,” said John Calvelli, executive vice president for public affairs, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in New York, N.Y. “In the early 2000s, a tiger was found in an…

Failing to prepare for climate-related challenges is a recipe for disaster, prompting forward-thinking Association of Zoos and Aquariums members and partner organizations to step up and address current and future risks. Their array of strategies…

Strategic Investment and Collaboration Make the Difference “We’re losing the conservation battle,” said Dan Ashe, president and chief executive officer at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. “There’s no way to objectively look at the data and…

A Collaborative Success Story There may not be another species on the planet that garners more affection and enthusiasm than giant pandas. “They’re rare, charismatic, and iconic, and humans are genetically programmed to like them,” said Brandie…

Shedd Aquarium Prepares for Next 100 Years Shedd Aquarium’s recent announcement of its $500 million Centennial Commitment has revealed the excitement, anticipation, and complex planning that are permeating every aspect of the Chicago, Ill.,…

“Bill Conway was the intellectual guiding light—the most influential person in the zoo community ever,” said John Robinson, Joan L. Tweedy chair in conservation strategy at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in New York, N.Y. He is far from…

Like many imaginative children, JoEllen Doornbos envisioned having a wild animal as a pet. Parental wisdom squelched that idea, but JoEllen’s affinity for creatures great and small eventually manifested itself as a love of her hometown zoo and an…

Florida Coral Rescue Center is Saving the Florida Reef Tract The facility in an Orlando, Fla., industrial park is unassuming from the outside, but once inside, its massive mission becomes obvious. The 2,000 square foot, state-of-the-art Florida Coral…

One Health and the AZA Community Studying and worrying about zoonotic diseases—those that spread between wildlife and humans—is nothing new for zoo and aquarium veterinarians: more than two-thirds of all emerging infectious diseases in humans are…

We only have one earth, with a finite number of habitats that are home to millions of wildlife and plant species. The degradation of many of these habitats has reached a crisis point—and is something that demands attention from conservation…

Discovering The Wilds “It’s an undiscovered gem.”“You don’t understand it until you see it.” “It’s a one-of-a-kind place.” The pride and passion are obvious in the ways that staff members talk about The Wilds, one of the largest wildlife conservation…