regional zoo and aquarium association for Arab nations

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First Arabian Zoo and Aquarium meeting commences in Al Ain | Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort | AMEinfo.com

13 December 2012

Representatives from zoos and aquarium institutions across the Arab world met today in Al Ain for the first time to share knowledge and best practice, taking the first steps towards setting up a regional zoo and aquarium association.

Over 30 delegates from several Arab countries, including UAE, Qatar, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain attended the meeting, to discuss possible collaborations on initiatives associated with raising standards associated with animal husbandry and welfare, joint research initiatives, breeding, education, conservation projects, and funding opportunities.

Today, the Zoo & Aquarium Public Institution in Al Ain's (ZAPIA) Director General H.E. Ghanim Al Hajeri officially commenced the programme with an opening ceremony before introducing the guest speakers: Dr. Gerald Dick, Executive Director of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA); Sally Walker, Director of the South Asian Zoo Association for Regional Cooperation (SAZARC); and, Dr. Stephen van der Spuy, Executive Director of the African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZAB).

Following insightful addresses by each guest speaker, H.E. Ghanim Al Hajeri delivered a presentation about Al Ain Zoo - which is under ZAPIA - before inviting each delegate to introduce their institution for the remainder of the afternoon. The first day of meetings provided a solid introduction to Thursday's programme, which will see delegates participating in roundtables to discuss the strengths, opportunities and challenges of subjects such as the establishment of a regional association, and animal husbandry and welfare.

Commenting on the meetings, Dr. Gerald Dick, Executive Director of WAZA said: "WAZA was formed 77 years ago and today stands as a strong voice in the fight for conservation with a global network. We are pleased to have been invited to be a part of the first step in establishing a regional network, allowing us to share our knowledge and experiences, and commend Al Ain Zoo for leading this initiative."

Dr. Sally Walker, Director of SAZARC, added: "It is a tremendous honour to be part of the first steps to form a regional zoo and aquarium association for the Arab region, and we appreciate Al Ain Zoo for reaching out to us. SAZARC itself was formed after directors, veterinarians and senior technical staff from various institutions in South Asia attended a similar meeting and agreed that there was a desperate need for a regional association. Member institutions were able to discuss challenges faced and opportunities that could be tackled together, and an established network provided enormous potential to overcome these challenges and furthered our cause for wildlife preservation and conservation."

H.E. Ghanim Al Hajeri, Director General of ZAPIA also added: "Today's meeting facilitated open dialogue among zoological institutions across the Arab region. We share a precious cause, and Al Ain Zoo is leading this initiative as part of its ongoing commitment to the highest standards of animal welfare, and towards wildlife conservation and preservation on a greater, regional level. I would like to extend our deepest appreciation to our guest speakers for sharing their invaluable insight, and to our regional counterparts for their enthusiastic participation."

ZAPIA is a proud member of WAZA - an organisation committed to promoting animal welfare standards around the globe - and is actively involved in several internationally coordinated conservation projects and works with other like-minded organisations such as Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, The Species Survival Commission, San Diego Zoo, Edinburgh Zoo, World Conservation Union and Species Survival Commission, the Northern Rangelands Trust of Kenya and the Sahara Conservation Fund to conserve and re-introduce threatened arid land species such as Arabian Oryx, Scimitar-horned Oryx, giraffes and gazelle.

 

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Arabian Zoo and Aquarium Association formed following meeting of regional zoos and aquariums in Al Ain | Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort | AMEinfo.com

17 December 2012

Following the Arab region's first zoo and aquarium meeting, Al Ain Zoo today announced the unanimous agreement by delegates from the UAE, Qatar, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain to establish the 'Arabian Zoo and Aquarium Association' (AZAA).

The agreement was made in the presence of Dr. Gerald Dick, Executive Director of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).

AZAA will facilitate communication, collaboration and cooperation among members with regular engagement with national institutions.

Al Ain Zoo will continue to play a principal role, providing office space and allocating staff time to coordinate regional communication and to form a working group of members to proceed with the development of mandate, membership criteria and guidelines.

The association would provide a louder voice for the region and a foundation to discuss challenges and opportunities related to wildlife conservation, standards and animal welfare issues.

H.E. Ghanim Al Hajeri, Director General for the Zoo & Aquarium Public Institution in Al Ain (ZAPIA), commented, "We are thrilled with the result of these meetings and for the enthusiasm of our regional counterparts in an initiative that will only further our shared commitment to protect and conserve wildlife. As a group, we have identified areas for future collaboration, and at Al Ain Zoo we look forward to taking the lead in this next phase that will see the historic establishment of AAZA."

Salma Sulaimani, Director of Public Affairs in Rabat Zoo in Morocco, further commented, "We commend Al Ain Zoo's initiative to establish AAZA. This is a great step forward for the zoo and aquarium community of the region, especially given the success of associations in other regions around the globe. Many zoos in the Arab world have been witnessing major transformations in exhibit development, breeding policies and animal welfare, and this means there is an absolute need to have a platform to exchange knowledge and expertise. Rabat Zoo will offer its full support to ensuring the success of AAZA."

Engineer Mohammed Al Hawashi, General Supervisor of Riyadh Zoo in Saudi Arabia, added, "We are grateful to Al Ain Zoo for inviting us to be a part of these meetings, and we appreciate the need for a regional association that will further develop our community and encourage the zoos of the Arab world to enhance standards and conditions to that of our global counterparts. Riyadh Zoo has recently implemented a series of developments as part of our commitment to wildlife conservation and preservation, and knowledge sharing with regional institutions will certainly drive forward further development."

Al Ain Zoo is a proud member of WAZA - an organisation committed to promoting animal welfare standards around the globe - and is actively involved in several internationally coordinated conservation projects and works with other like-minded organisations such as Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, The Species Survival Commission, San Diego Zoo, Edinburgh Zoo, World Conservation Union and Species Survival Commission, the Northern Rangelands Trust of Kenya and the Sahara Conservation Fund to conserve and re-introduce threatened arid land species such as Arabian Oryx, Scimitar-horned Oryx, giraffes and gazelle.