The Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA), which represents zoos, aquariums, wildlife parks, and sanctuaries across Australasia, recently concluded its annual conference in Sydney, Australia. The conference brought together a global community of zoo and aquarium professionals.
The three-day event, which took place at the Sydney Masonic Centre from 6 to 8 August 2024, featured inspiring keynotes, diverse plenary sessions, engaging workshops, and networking opportunities. In addition, side events were hosted by ZAA’s local members, including the Icebreaker at Taronga Zoo, a trip to Sydney Zoo, and a Gala Event at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium.
This year’s conference witnessed a diverse group of approximately 200 in-person and online attendees, representing 82 organisations from across the industry. Participants hailed from the Australasian region, the US, the UK, China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and South America, making it a truly global event focused on sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration in the conservation community.
A representative from ZAA says: “We were thrilled to bring together the diverse zoo and aquarium community in Sydney this year for our annual conference. With such an incredible diversity of attendees each bringing in their own expertise and experiences, it was an illuminating and inspiring week.”
Leading the way for wildlife & people
The conference opened with a Welcome to Country delivered by Uncle Allen Madden, Gadigal Elder, and an official launch from Elaine Bensted, ZAA president.
A highlight was an uplifting keynote and funding announcement for ZAA from the Australian minister for environment and water, the Honourable Tanya Plibersek. This was followed by an address from Dr Erin Guiliani, the chief executive officer of the NSW (New South Wales) Biodiversity Conservation Trust, who emphasised the vital role of landowners in protecting Australia’s unique ecosystems and biodiversity.
On the second day, Nicola Craddock, ZAA’s executive director, provided valuable insights into the regional landscape from community and tourist perspectives, offering guidance for the future of zoos and aquariums in the Australasian region.
Day three started with a thought-provoking keynote from Dr Mike King, senior lecturer and head of department of the Bioethics Centre at the University of Otago. He explored the complex ethical considerations in animal management and how zoos and aquariums shape values and drive impactful decisions.
This year’s conference theme, Leading the Way for Wildlife and People, was explored through engaging plenary sessions and interactive workshops. Speakers covered various topics, from sustainability in zoos to building communities to innovation in species management, advancements in animal welfare and management, and innovation in the sector.
Some of the standout moments from the conference included:
- Digital Sustainability. A presentation by Amy Hughes from Wellington Zoo, New Zealand challenged everyone to consider their digital footprint, reminding us that even something as simple as saving pictures of our pets or managing website content can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
- Elephant Enrichment Masterclass. Sydney Zoo’s keepers provided a fascinating demonstration on elephant enrichment, sharing their constantly evolving approaches to animal care.
- Reverse the Red Workshop. Success stories from the Reverse the Red Workshop served as a powerful reminder of the importance of conservation efforts, reinforcing the commitment to ongoing and critical initiatives.
“A conference to remember”
ZAA shares some attendee comments:
“The ZAA staff was extremely friendly and welcoming. Down to earth approach, magnificent conversations, etc. Very open to taking new ideas on board which shows collaboration and strives for always improving us as the whole industry towards better future of conservation. Combined with fantastic workshops, THE BEST MC and incredible organisation with member support, it was a conference to remember!”
“ZAA conference gave me an impression of the best ‘get together’ in the zoological industry, as well as the support, knowledge sharing, and collaboration.”
A spokesperson from the ZAA adds: “This year’s conference was a remarkable gathering, uniting a significant number of industry experts to celebrate their collective achievements and share their invaluable insights. Each year, we are inspired by the outstanding work being carried out across our membership, and this year was no exception. The conference provided a platform for meaningful connections and lively discussions, contributing to its success.
“Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that next year’s conference will be held in collaboration with the Territory Wildlife Park in Darwin, promising another opportunity to engage, learn, and lead the way in wildlife conservation.”
The ZAA thanks the sponsors and exhibitors whose support made this conference possible. It extends a special thank you to the Gold Sponsors- Into Aqua and ADEC; Major Sponsor- Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade); Bronze Sponsors- Jetpets and Grande Experiences; Exhibitors- Advanced Aquarium Technologies (AAT) and Phoenix Mesh, and communication partner, Blooloop.
ZAA executive director Nicola Craddock, recently spoke to blooloop about the association‘s mission, strategic initiatives, and significant impact on its members and the broader conservation landscape.
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