World Association Zoos & Aquariums

The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) is the global alliance of regional associations, national federations, and leading zoos and aquariums.

[World Association Zoos & Aquariums @waza]

💡At the 81st WAZA Annual Conference, Professor Philip Seddon (FRSNZ) will take us beyond the headlines surrounding de-extinction in his keynote 'Is Extinction Really Forever? The Hope and Hype of De-extinction'.

Planning to join us in Cologne?
👉https://t.co/TP4HmkiRXX

[World Association Zoos & Aquariums @waza]

🎙️ Our second keynote speaker, Professor Carolyn Calloway-Thomas, will take the stage on 27 October at the 81st WAZA Annual Conference with 'Habituating the Mind Towards Empathy'.

She will explore empathy and moving beyond ‘us versus them’ thinking.

👉 https://t.co/TP4HmkjpNv

[World Association Zoos & Aquariums @waza]

📌In the latest issue of WAZA News, Carmen T. Linares A., Coordinator of @ALPZA_Zoos's Accreditation and Ethics Committee, reflects on 17 years of evolving regional accreditation standards across zoos and aquariums.

👇 Read the article
https://t.co/zrKdtZ4ewa

📸 @ZooGuadalajara

[World Association Zoos & Aquariums @waza]

🔔On 16 September, join INTO THE UNKNOWN, a @ReversetheRed1 webinar exploring lessons from Disney Conservation’s Saving Wildlife programme, with insights from its partners.

16 September 2026 | 11:00–12:30 ET

🔗Register here: https://t.co/xt5jpG3AT2

[World Association Zoos & Aquariums @waza]

🔔 Dr Mona van Schingen-Khan, Deputy Head of the CITES Scientific Authority at BfN, will deliver the first keynote at the 81st WAZA Annual Conference: 'Conservation Across Borders and Sectors: A CITES Perspective on Integrated Species Conservation'.

👉https://t.co/TP4HmkiRXX

[blooloop @Blooloop]

.@waza to bring 2027 annual conference to South Africa. https://t.co/VqAY1ABSKY

[World Association Zoos & Aquariums @waza]

The WAZA Animal Welfare Strategy is now available in Arabic, making this global framework accessible to even more members of our community.

We extend our sincere thanks to @AlAinZooUAE for its invaluable work on this translation.

Read the Strategy
👉https://t.co/uqYj1NGVhA

[World Association Zoos & Aquariums @waza]

🐘How can conservation practitioners better navigate human-wildlife conflict and support coexistence?

@ReversetheRed1 and @hwctf will explore resources and frameworks to support this work in a webinar on September 9.

💻 Learn more & register:
https://t.co/DJLk7BySIE

[World Association Zoos & Aquariums @waza]

🇿🇦The WAZA Annual Conference Heads to South Africa in 2027!

From 17 to 21 October 2027, the global zoo and aquarium community will gather in Cape Town for WAZA’s 82nd Annual Conference.

📌Save the date!
https://t.co/VHQERPjf9P

[JoburgParksZoo @JoburgParksZoo]

A Historic First: The WAZA Annual Conference Heads to South Africa in 2027 🇿🇦🌍

From 17–21 October 2027, the global zoo and aquarium community will gather in Cape Town for the 82nd World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) Annual Conference.

For the first time in WAZA Annual Conference history, every institutional member in a host country has united behind a single national bid. The conference also marks WAZA’s return to the African continent after 28 years.

Cango Wildlife and Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo will serve as hosts and coordinators, joined by Two Oceans Aquarium, uShaka Sea World (@SAAMBR) and the National Zoological Garden of South Africa (@SANBI).

Founded in 1935, WAZA is the global alliance of leading zoos, aquariums, regional associations and national federations committed to the care and conservation of animals and their habitats, representing nearly 400 institutions and organisations worldwide.

The 2027 conference will place South Africa’s conservation expertise, biodiversity, animal welfare, research and environmental education firmly on the global stage.

As WAZA CEO Martín Zordan said:

"The conference may take place in Cape Town, but its perspective, its expertise and its welcome will come from across South Africa.”

This is more than a conference. It is a historic moment for South Africa’s zoological and conservation community, and an opportunity to show the world what can be achieved when we stand together with a shared purpose. 🇿🇦🌍

📍 Cape Town, South Africa
📅 17–21 October 2027

#WAZA2027 #WAZA #SouthAfrica #JoburgUpdates #Conservation #Biodiversity #ZoosAndAquariums #WorkingTogetherForWildlife

[World Association Zoos & Aquariums @waza]

This week, we introduce Dr Sally Sherwen, Director of Wildlife Conservation and Science at @MelbourneZoo, representing Region III on the WAZA Council. Her expertise in animal welfare science & ethics supports evidence-based animal care and conservation.

👉https://t.co/zwHCmwpaqQ

[World Association Zoos & Aquariums @waza]

🍃Nature recovery can benefit biodiversity & local communities. The WAZA x @EducatorsIz publication features an article on @chesterzoo's UK nature recovery project.

12,000+ participants
62 ha of habitat enhanced
82% reported improved well-being
Read more: https://t.co/IdfYFUbdR6

[World Association Zoos & Aquariums @waza]

💡In the latest WAZA News, Dr Jason D. Wark explores how ZooMonitor Community, created by @lincolnparkzoo, supports collaborative behaviour research across organisations and contributes to broader animal welfare research.

📖 Read the full article: https://t.co/zrKdtZ3GGC

[World Association Zoos & Aquariums @waza]

Integrating individual #animalwelfare into wildlife conservation is essential for achieving successful species recovery. Chapt. 7 of the WAZA Animal Welfare Strategy explores how field conservation & animal welfare work together in practice. 💡Learn more: https://t.co/bo7wU2G9G4

[World Association Zoos & Aquariums @waza]

🦧On #WorldOrangutanDay we are exploring the links between palm oil and wildlife conservation.

Read Nicole Chaney’s insights from Ecuador’s Amazon, including the role of sustainable certification and zoos & aquariums in raising awareness: https://t.co/aHM0VF3vSM

[World Association Zoos & Aquariums @waza]

Planning to join us in Cologne for the 81st WAZA Annual Conference? Make sure to register by 31 August 2026 to secure the regular registration rate.

📅 25–29 October 2026
📍 @koelner_zoo, Germany

👉View the programme and register: https://t.co/qUU4VREZLd

[World Association Zoos & Aquariums @waza]

💡@WildWelfare's Dave Morgan, Margaret Whittaker and Simon Marsh share their perspectives on the 2025 WAZA Animal Welfare Strategy and its potential to drive meaningful improvements across the global zoo and aquarium community.

🔎 Read the full blog: https://t.co/xlLFGz7RPS

[World Association Zoos & Aquariums @waza]

🐃Today we celebrate Action Indonesia Day!
Action Indonesia brings together zoos, aquariums, government agencies, NGOs & field conservation partners to support the conservation of Indonesia's wildlife through a collaborative approach.

👉join the campaign: https://t.co/JHmnf4BTj5

[World Association Zoos & Aquariums @waza]

📣WAZA is pleased to welcome @Inlightfestival as a new Member.

Inlight Festival Group specialises in the design & production of large-scale lantern festivals and immersive light experiences for zoos, botanical gardens & public spaces around the world.
https://t.co/eZDfXlLoBw

[World Association Zoos & Aquariums @waza]

🆕WAZA is pleased to welcome @gembiraloka_zoo as a new Institution Member.

Gembira Loka Zoo is a conservation-based zoological and botanical garden dedicated to protecting Indonesian biodiversity through animal welfare, conservation & community engagement
https://t.co/QX0RGeDBdd