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The Second Joint Conference of SEAZA and ARAZPA: a gathering of acronyms

The Art and Science of Zoos and Aquariums, the second Joint Conference of ARAZPA and SEAZA took place in Melbourne from 1-5 May 2005. The 245 delegates from 20 countries represented a diverse cross-section of the global zoo community and related associations, including, AMACZOOA, AZA, DEH, EAZA, FFI, PAZAAB, PKSBI, SOS Rhino, ZOO and ZPO.

Prior to the ‘conference proper’, boards, councils, committees and members of ARAZPA, ASMP, CIRCC, CBSG, IADISC, ISIS, SEAZA, WAZA, ARAZPA TAGs, including M&M and ARAZPA SAGs all gathered in Melbourne for meetings and workshops.

The welcome cocktail event was held at the Redmond Barry Room on the 46 th Floor of the ANZ Building. A great opportunity for catching up with colleagues, the venue provided spectacular views of the Melbourne CBD, and MCG.

The Conference opened at MZ, with delegates gathered at Trail of the Elephants. Here the President of WAZA and Victoria’s Minister for Environment launched the new World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy known as ‘Building a Future for Wildlife’. This wsa followed by a thought-provoking and entertaining keynote address by Dr. Bill Conway of WCS.

Delegates had the opportunity to hear three keynote speakers, listen to over 50 paper presentations, 10 poster presentations, and visit various trade displays. And of course there were products to sample that had been provided by principal sponsors Cadbury Schweppes and Nestle Peters.

On Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons delegates could choose from 10 workshops to participate in or enjoy tours of Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo. Wednesday morning included a workshop on implementing the WZACS followed by the poster session. Thursday included concurrent sessions, and a final closing session. Presidents of WAZA, SEAZA and ARAZPA and ZV’s CEO all shared their thoughts about the Conference.

The strength of the partnerships between SEAZA and ARAZPA was apparent, and the close links of the global zoo community. The new strategy will enabled more partnership work to flourish and the credibility of our zoo work to be enhanced.

With the formalities over, time for the Gala Dinner. There were over 200 attendees in the marquee at Melbourne Zoo. Acknowledging the SEAZA tradition, the program included various skits. In some ways the inspiration for this report comes from the Australian offering – an entertaining ditty featuring various Zoo Acronyms to tune of supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

Thanks and congratulations to all who took part in the Conference – the wonderful presenters, the delegates and all those who helped ‘behind the scenes’, it was a truly fantastic week. Here’s to Perth in 2006!