Zoo and Aquarium Association facts for kids
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| Founded | 1990 |
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| Type | National not-for-profit organisation |
| Focus | Zoo and aquarium accreditation and advocacy |
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Area served
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Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific |
| Method | Accreditation |
The Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA) is like a big team for zoos, aquariums, and wildlife parks. They work across Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and the South Pacific Islands. Their main goal is to make sure these places care for animals in the best possible way.
ZAA uses a special, science-based method to check on animal welfare. They give a special "accreditation" (like a stamp of approval) to zoos and aquariums. This means those places have shown they are truly committed to making animals happy and healthy. This way of thinking puts the animal's feelings first.
ZAA and its members also help protect animals in the wild. They run over 100 breeding programs to save endangered species. They also teach people about wildlife and how to help nature.
Every year, ZAA members connect 22 million visitors with nature. They also teach 1.1 million students about wildlife. They support many conservation programs and give lots of money to help save animals around the world. ZAA helps its members share knowledge and keep getting better at conservation, animal care, and science.
The main offices for ZAA are in Sydney, Australia, and Wellington, New Zealand.
Contents
Caring for Animals: Animal Welfare
The Five Domains Model
The Five Domains Model is a scientific way to understand how animals feel. It helps us know if an animal is having good or bad experiences. This model is used by all ZAA-approved zoos and aquariums to check on their animals.
The model looks at five main areas:
- Nutrition: Is the animal getting enough good food and water?
- Environment: Does the animal have a safe and comfortable place to live?
- Health: Is the animal free from sickness and injury?
- Behaviour: Can the animal do natural things, like play or explore?
- Mental Domain: How do all these things make the animal feel? Are they happy and content?
Professor David Mellor created the Five Domains Model. It is also used by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).
ZAA Accreditation: A Seal of Approval
ZAA-accredited zoos and aquariums exist to help save animals, teach people, and do scientific research. But the most important thing they do is make sure animals have a positive life. ZAA wants animals to have "great" welfare, not just "okay" welfare.
ZAA gives its special accreditation to zoos and aquariums that show they truly care for animals. They use the Five Domains Model to check this. This means they look at things from the animal's point of view.
While governments set basic rules for animal care, ZAA's program goes further. It asks: Is the animal having a fulfilling life with lots of good experiences?
To get accredited, zoos and aquariums must show strong proof of how they care for animals. ZAA experts review this information. Then, an expert visits the zoo or aquarium in person to check everything. This process helps zoos always try to improve animal welfare.
ZAA-accredited zoos and aquariums are checked every three years to keep their special status. International members are checked every year.
Protecting Wildlife: Conservation Efforts
Zoos and Aquariums Saving Species
ZAA-accredited zoos and aquariums in Australia and New Zealand do a lot to help save wildlife. They are part of 629 conservation programs around the world. They also give millions of dollars and support to these programs.
Every year, these zoos and aquariums help 22 million people connect with nature. They teach people to love animals and learn how to help save them.
ZAA helps its member zoos work together to save threatened species. They help fund projects through their Wildlife Conservation Fund. The ZAA team also works with governments to save species like the orange-bellied parrot, southern cassowary, Tasmanian devil, and kiwi.
ZAA believes in the "One Plan Approach." This means all experts work together to save a species. ZAA helps zoos and aquariums work with other conservation groups.
Breeding Programs for Endangered Animals
ZAA runs the Australasian Species Management Program (ASMP). This program coordinates over 100 breeding programs for special species. These programs happen at ZAA-approved places across Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.
These programs help protect endangered species, support research, and teach people. They treat all the animals in different zoos as one big group. This helps keep the animal populations healthy and diverse.
Each species in the ASMP has a Species Coordinator. This person uses special software to decide how to breed and manage the animals. A team of experts, called a Taxon Advisory Group (TAG), helps guide the Species Coordinators.
The ASMP helps manage animal populations to prevent them from going extinct. It also helps with releasing animals back into the wild, research, and education.
Keeping Animals Healthy: Biosecurity
Biosecurity means taking steps to prevent diseases and pests from spreading. This is important for keeping animals, people, and the environment safe.
Good biosecurity is very important for zoos and aquariums. It helps keep the animals in their care healthy. It also protects wild animals and the natural environment.
ZAA works with its members, vets, and the government to keep biosecurity standards high. They create guides, offer training, and raise awareness. They also set clear expectations for their members.
The National Zoo Biosecurity Manual (NZBM) is a guide created by ZAA and other groups. It gives advice on how zoos can have the best biosecurity practices.
How ZAA Works
The Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA) is run by a Board. This Board is chosen by the members. ZAA's main office is in Sydney, Australia, at the Taronga Zoo. The ZAA New Zealand office is at Wellington Zoo.
Becoming a Member
ZAA is a group that gets its strength from its members. They have different types of memberships. Zoos and aquariums that want to be regional or international members must get and keep ZAA Accreditation. This shows they are committed to positive animal welfare.
