Progressive Zoo and Aquarium Management

A modern, progressive zoo/aquarium is a complex organisation with qualified professionals working across many disciplines. Staff at our Members provide visitors with an exciting and informative experience in conditions of safety while working to minimise the environmental footprint. They provide animals with safe, clean and comfortable housing which gives them the opportunity to live active, challenging lives appropriate to their needs. They liaise with other EAZA Members to agree on goals for the EEPs and work out the logistics of moving animals between zoos to achieve them. They conduct forward-thinking research and run conservation projects both at home and abroad. 

EAZA Members help each other to live up to the high standards we have agreed, through a peer review mechanism called the EAZA Accreditation Programme. They also follow a special set of principles for managing animal populations in their zoo/aquarium as part of our network. By reviewing conservation needs and how their institution can help meet them, they plan which animals their zoo will host. They also help other zoos and aquariums that don’t yet meet EAZA Standards to reach the same high level through the Candidate for Membership programme.