Zoological Association of America

An Organization of
Zoos and Zooculturists
 

Conservation
Propagation
Preservation

 email webmaster

copyright 2008
Zoological Association of America
 

Mission Statement

Our mission is to promote the responsible ownership, management, and propagation of animals in both private and public domains.

We strive to:

• Serve the needs of our members.

• Protect and defend the right to own animals

• Defend the owners of animals against the false allegations and mischaracterizations of "animal rights" activists.

• Promote legal and ethical methods for sustainable wildlife management.

• Encourage responsible conservation of genetics through cooperative breeding programs in private and public domains.

• Promote high standards and ethics through Zoological Association of America accreditation programs.

• Educate the media, policy-makers and the public through advocacy and adherence to best practices.

• Promote "conservation through commerce" as the only sustainable alternative to failed command and control wildlife regulations.

 

Statement of Objectives:

• Establish professional standards for husbandry and animal care practices.

• Maintain accurate animal and medical records.

• Enhance the survival of species by the use of appropriate methods.

• Maintain an appropriate, safe, and quality existence for animals in captive environments.

• Establish safety measures for staff, visitors and animals to prevent injury and disease.

 

ZAA Members are ethically bound to support and implement the Mission and Objectives of ZAA as outlined in the Mission and Objective Statements, and in general to:

• Promote the interest of wildlife conservation and biodiversity to society at large.

• Promote and encourage research and scientific method application toward the betterment of wildlife populations - their husbandry, care and conservation - both in managed environments and wild ecosystems.

• Cooperate with colleagues and the broader conservation community including private and public entities, breeders, zoological parks, game parks and ranches, sanctuaries, aquariums, museums, wildlife agencies and associated management programs, academic and field researchers and others in an effort to assist in global biodiversity in both managed and wild animal populations.

• Promote and encourage sustainability of animal populations by sound economic practices and “conservation through commerce” in order to practically and realistically help insure long-term viability of wildlife populations through sensible and comprehensive sustainable yield and renewable resource management practices.

• Fairly recognize all colleagues and stakeholders engaged in validly-based resource management and accommodate implementation of the many and various, legitimate and proven methods for sustainable yield wildlife and habitat management.

• Fairly recognize and accept responsibilities for implementation of scientifically based decisions, actions and methods in species management practices as having priority over the possibilities of emotion-based-only choices.

• Act in accordance with all local, national and international laws in all endeavors and especially as it pertains to the health and well-being of wildlife populations and conservation of natural resources.

• Conduct all affairs with a high degree of professionalism and with honesty, integrity and fairness to all concerned.