Zoos and Conservation
The Modern Zoo
The 21st century zoo’s mission is to support conservation, and zoos worldwide operate as a close-knit network to coordinate conservation efforts. Chester Zoo is a member of national, European and international zoo bodies including:
The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
The European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA)
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)
These organisations exist to ensure high standards of practise in zoos, coordinate breeding programmes and help zoos maximise their conservation involvement.
The World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy, produced by WAZA and endorsed by leading conservation bodies such as the World Conservation Union (IUCN), is an important document outlining how zoos can best support conservation through activities such as education, research, conservation breeding, welfare and conservation outreach.
At Chester Zoo work in each of these fields has expanded considerably, and is often linked with conservation partners in the UK and abroad:
Education facilities cater not only for zoo visitors but coordinate teaching and training for schools, universities and professionals. Chester Zoo’s education remit also encompasses outreach projects around the world from the Philippines to Africa.
Research conducted at Chester Zoo involves students and staff from a number of UK universities. Several scientific papers are published each year from this zoo-based research. Research is often also an integral part of conservation outreach projects in the wild and contributes directly to conservation efforts.
Animal welfare and husbandry at Chester Zoo is excellent, utilising the best equipment and techniques available and employing highly trained staff. This has led to excellent conservation breeding success and involvement in several reintroduction programmes.
Chester Zoo, as with a growing number of other zoos, is involved in a large number of conservation outreach projects around the world. We provide both financial and professional support: linking the professional expertise and opportunities of the zoo world to global conservation efforts. This is the fastest growing type of conservation support at Chester Zoo.
The modern zoo is an international conservation organisation. Chester has strong partnerships with a large number of conservation professionals and organisations, and works alongside organisations such as Save the Rhino International, Flora and Fauna International and the Wildlife Conservation Society. Increasingly zoos are not only linking zoo-based conservation activities with those in the wild, but also coordinating, financing and staffing conservation outreach projects directly.
The Future Zoo
As more species face extinction it is imperative that zoos optimise their effectiveness as conservation organisations. Chester Zoo continues to create a network of conservation partners worldwide and through these will continue to utilise in-zoo research, education and conservation breeding activities, in house professional expertise, and fundraising and awareness opportunities to contribute to conservation activities in the wild.
Links between conservation in the zoo and in the wild will also be reflected through future developments. New enclosures will strive to create the best possible environment for animal welfare and visitors enjoyment whilst providing a showcase for conservation: raising awareness and support for conservation issues and activities in the wild. External outreach projects will, in turn, highlight the importance of the conservation work of zoos.
Zoos have changed considerably over the years, but the changes occurring now are possibly the most exciting yet. Zoos are evolving to fully realise their potential to help protect threatened species, and are playing an increasingly significant role in international conservation.
Chester Zoo is a conservation charity. You, our visitors and supporters, directly fund the conservation work we are involved in, and with your continued support Chester Zoo will strive to increase its conservation activities and battle to save our rapidly vanishing wildlife.