WAZA Statement on Ukraine
Posted: 9 March 2022
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) stands with the people and zoos of Ukraine and strongly condemns this senseless war. Our hearts go out to the many people and animals affected by this conflict, and we hope for a swift end to this brutality.
We are in regular contact with the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), and the President of the Association of Zoos of Ukraine, and Director of Nikolaev Zoo, which is a WAZA institutional member. The situation is evolving rapidly, and while the larger zoos have said they are coping in the circumstances, there are several smaller institutions requiring assistance.
Several WAZA members in at least Poland and the Czech Republic, and other countries are already providing support and fundraising efforts for the zoos in need; thank you.
WAZA together with its global community of zoos, aquariums, conservation, and animal welfare partners stands poised to help the zoos in Ukraine. If you would like to support relief and animal welfare efforts for our colleagues in Ukraine, we encourage contributions to EAZA’s emergency appeal which is helping efforts to care for animals.
WAZA and its members around the world are committed to providing high standards of care for wild animals and to conserving the natural world. We are stronger as a community and we are unified in our common goals of conservation, animal welfare, and education.
For additional information, please write to secretariat@waza.org

The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) is the global alliance of regional associations, national federations, zoos and aquariums, dedicated to the care and conservation of animals and their habitats around the world.