Zoo and Aquarium Association

Elaine Bensted, President, and Nicola Craddock, Executive Director, provide insights into the ZAA’s founding, mission, and evolving role, highlighting its significant impact over the past three decades. The association serves as a formal network for zoos and aquariums across Australasia, fostering collaboration and ensuring high animal welfare and conservation standards. A DYNAMIC VISION The ZAA’s mission is tightly intertwined with its strategic goals, updated every three to five years. The current vision, “Positive outcomes for wildlife and people,” drives the association’s activities. Bensted emphasizes that “it is really about creating a network for doing amazing conservation work, but it’s also ensuring high animal welfare standards.” The ZAA accredits its members based on rigorous animal welfare standards, setting globally recognized benchmarks. Craddock adds that since 2013, the association has formally incorporated positive animal welfare into its accreditation program, using the five domains of animal welfare, a science-based assessment methodology. The approach has made ZAA a pioneer, being the first region worldwide to adopt such a comprehensive welfare assessment program. The model has influenced global practices and underpins all of ZAA’s operations. GROWTH AND MEMBERSHIP Over the years, ZAA’s membership has grown steadily, encompassing around 100 organizations, including the region’s significant zoos, aquariums, and wildlife parks. Bensted notes,“It is stable. I think all the larger zoos, aquariums, and wildlife parks in the region are members.” Membership in the ZAA is often a prerequisite for participating in government breeding and recovery programs, reflecting the association’s stringent accreditation standards. The devastating bushfires of 2019-20 highlighted the importance of ZAA membership. The federal government allocated funding to assist recovery efforts, knowing that ZAA members had robust biosecurity measures, excellent animal welfare standards, and high-quality veterinary care. The assurance facilitated critical recovery work for the affected native wildlife. MEMBER COMMUNICATION AND ENGAGEMENT Effective communication with members is crucial for the ZAA. The association employs various channels, including newsletters, social media, webinars, and annual conferences. Craddock elaborates, “We have a good network of committees for standards and accreditation, conservation, animal management, and ethics.” These committees and the board facilitate continuous dialogue and information sharing among members. KEY PROGRAMS The ZAA’s accreditation program is a cornerstone of its efforts, ensuring members maintain exceptional animal welfare standards. The association 3 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06 ZOO AND AQUARIUM ASSOCIAT ION