PRESS ROOM

ROYAL OAK, Mich., 

The world’s foremost leaders in animal welfare will convene at the Detroit Zoo May 4-6, 2017, for the Center for Zoo Animal Welfare’s (CZAW) fourth International Animal Welfare Symposium. The conference is presented this year in partnership with the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).

Titled “Zoos and Aquariums as Welfare Centres: Ethical Dimensions and Global Commitment”, the three-day symposium will include keynote speakers and facilitated discussion with 125 experts in animal care, welfare, ethics, law, zoo and aquarium operations, conservation and protection.

“Zoos and aquariums have a profound responsibility to ensure that all the animals in their care are thriving, not just surviving. How animals in captive settings experience life is determined by the humans and organizations that care for them, and all of this must be done through a lens of compassion and science,” said Ron Kagan, executive director and CEO of the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS). “The goal of this symposium is to create a strong worldwide foundation based on values and principles that further advance zoo and aquarium animal welfare science and policy.”

The conference will focus on specific topics that include animal welfare-based accreditation, the use of animals in visitor interactions and welfare aspects of population management.

“In an increasingly urbanized world, zoos and aquariums connect people to nature and animals in safe and engaging environments. They contribute to conserving the world’s biodiversity and at the same time seek to increase understanding and appreciation of wildlife. Leading zoos and aquariums situate animal welfare as primary to their operations. While conservation is the core purpose, good animal welfare is the core activity,” said Susan Hunt, president of WAZA and CEO of Australia’s Perth Zoo. “WAZA is delighted to join the DZS and CZAW in hosting this symposium which will bring together leading zoo, aquarium and welfare professionals to advance our collective commitment to animal welfare.”

Founded by the DZS in 2009, CZAW is a resource center for captive animal welfare knowledge, research and best practices; a convener and forum for exotic animal welfare science, practice and policy discussions; and a center conducting research and training, and recognizing advances in exotic animal welfare.

For more information about the CZAW-WAZA symposium, visit www.czaw.org/events/symposium-2017.