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Benefits of BIAZA Membership

Zoos and aquariums cannot survive in isolation, their strength and their future contribution to conservation can only be effective if they are part of a group of like-minded collections. BIAZA is the organisation which leads and supports its members in their goals. BIAZA offers the opportunity to work closely with others. Collections cannot be too big or too small to benefit from BIAZA Membership and the larger its membership the more the Association can accomplish. Whatever your theme; zoo, wildlife park, bird garden, butterfly house, invertebrate collection, aquarium you will have much to gain and to give when you become a BIAZA Member. The Association is the voice of Zoos and Aquariums in Britain and Ireland.


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Zoos and aquariums now, more than ever before, have an important role in conservation, education and scientific study. They are also carrying out important work in animal welfare. Zoos and aquariums can only achieve their maximum effectiveness by cooperation and the Association is the professional body which brings the best zoos and aquariums in Britain and Ireland together. Cooperation is for the benefit and survival of zoos and aquariums and the many threatened species and habitats that they help to protect. It is vital, not only that zoos and aquariums can carry out this important work effectively, but that it is also recognised by the media, public and politicians. Zoos and aquariums must also be seen to be involved in coordinated species management programmes, in conservation and in education and research.

They must also use their valuable knowledge and expertise to influence and help decision makers and government. Only by working together can they do this effectively and efficiently.

General Benefits

	Status of belonging to an organisation whose standards are of internationally high repute.
	Contacts through the Association with civil servants and politicians responsible for formulating policy and legislation at national and European Community level. BIAZA is the professional body that represents zoos on the many government consultations that affect zoos, directly and indirectly.
	Opportunities to participate in, and to benefit from, education, marketing and public relations activities.
	Access to the technical expertise of other Member zoos and aquariums (e.g., veterinary, reproductive, curatorial, marketing/PR, researchers, business management).
	Becoming part of the international and regional network of responsible zoos and aquariums. BIAZA is an active and influential component of this network; the work and importance of the network, which already involves over 1,000 zoos worldwide, is recognised and endorsed by the major conservation bodies, most notably IUCN – The World Conservation Union.
	Participation in the co-operative and co-ordinated animal management programmes in Great Britain and Ireland (TAGS, Taxon Advisory Groups), which operate under the auspices of the Association. The Joint Management of Species Committee of the Association has the responsibility for the organisation and progress of these programmes, which are concerned mainly with threatened species and are based on sound genetic and demographic advice. TAGs also produce husbandry guidelines and link with relevant IUCN specialist groups in the production of recommended support for field conservation efforts.
	Keeper training. The Association is the lead body of the Steering Group that oversees the Advanced Certificate in Zoo Animal Management, currently provided by Sparsholt College Hampshire.

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