The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) is delighted to welcome a new Institutional Member to the global zoo and aquarium community – the Hamilton Zoo.

Located in the city of Hamilton, New Zealand, its facilities are found in an area of 86 hectares of landscaped grounds. Established in 1969, it is a member of the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA), a WAZA Association Member. Hamilton Zoo is home to over 600 native and exotic animals from all over the world. Their work at the facilities is linked to kaitiaki, a term used in New Zealand that is connected to the Māori concept of guardianship, for the sky, the sea and the land.

“We are so happy to be part of the global organisation bringing together the best zoos and aquariums from around the world; pushing for great animal welfare and saving our planet’s flora and fauna,” said Hamilton Zoo Director, Dr Baird Fleming.

Hamilton Zoo takes into consideration the five welfare domains on their day-to-day operations in order to ensure that the animal collection is professionally managed to maximise animal welfare and effectively meet statutory and professional obligations. Moreover, the zoo has committees that keep track and design the zoo’s roadmap: Animal Welfare, Health and Safety, Conservation and Research.

Hamilton’s Zoo vision is to be the example to follow, and their efforts go towards this direction. That is why they have partnered with the Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park to create a natural precinct for the city. Together with the collaboration with Hamilton’s Department of Conservation, the goal is to set a breed and release programme into Waiwhakareke as soon as there is a predator free environment.

“I am excited to have Hamilton Zoo joining WAZA. The zoo has a promising future under the new leadership of Dr Baird Fleming. With this new member, our Association now has four Institution Members in New Zealand. This to me shows how important it is for this country to connect and share our global mission to save species,” said WAZA’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Martín Zordan.

Ultimately, Hamilton Zoo aims to contribute to the New Zealand native species breeding recovery programme and to the protection of the environment through pest and predator control.

To learn more about the Hamilton Zoo, visit their website.