Conservation through Zoos and Aquariums

The world zoo and aquarium community is perhaps the largest conservation network globally. WAZA defines the responsibilities of the world's zoos and aquariums in regard to the conservation of global biodiversity (see conservation strategies). It sets the conditions that individual zoos and aquariums and their cooperative networks should satisfy in order to realise their full conservation potential.

WAZA is a founding member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). WAZA has Memoranda of Understanding with the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention on Migratory Species, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) as well as IUCN and the International Zoo Educators' Association. WAZA has observer status at the Conference of the Parties of CITES. WAZA provides support to the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC), the IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group and the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians.

Ex situ conservation

Under the auspices of WAZA, and in collaboration with the International Species Information System and the Zoological Society of London, 123 active international studbooks are currently kept, which include 162 species or sub-species. More than 1,000 species or sub-species are managed under cooperative conservation breeding programmes at the level of the regional association members. In addition, WAZA supports science and research, promotes environmental education, motivates environmental sustainability, encourages animal welfare and participates in international campaigns.

In situ conservation

Preserving individual species in human care is not enough to protect global biodiversity. Conservation of intact ecosystems is the only chance for the survival of our planet's wildlife. A steadily increasing number of zoos and aquariums have recognised that the real challenge of biodiversity conservation is saving wild species and habitats (see WAZA conservation projects). It is the aim of WAZA to further increase the number of zoos and aquariums involved in the conservation of wild species and habitats and to make zoological institutions the primary non-governmental field conservation organisations.