20/05/2025
We are so excited to announce that we have become fully accredited members of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, a.k.a. EAZA! šš
What is EAZA?
Established in 1992, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria is the worldās largest regional zoo and aquarium association. Driven by the vision āProgressive zoos and aquariums saving species together with youā, EAZA enables collaboration of more than 400 Member institutions in 47 countries, in the areas of: animal population management, animal care and welfare, science-based species conservation, education, research and advocacy. Membership is based on strict accreditation standards.
How did this happen?
Years in the making, the evaluation consisted of a thorough inspection of the site by experts from the zoo community in the UK and mainland Europe. EAZA Standards are stricter than the UK national zoo licensing requirements and the inspection covers all areas of modern zoo management, such as: quality of animal habitats and husbandry practices, animal welfare assessments, health and safety procedures, veterinary care, planning of species lists, animal transfers, education and research initiatives as well as involvement in wildlife conservation, among other elements.
During the inspection, we were commended for our native species conservation projects including the breeding and releasing of harvest mice in association with the Northumberland Wildlife Trust as well as the captive rearing of the critically endangered white-clawed crayfish for release to ark sites in Northumberland in association with the Northeast Crayfish Partnership - two projects very close to our hearts.
What does this mean?
With the addition of the EAZA accreditation, the wider networking opportunities and access to more European Ex-situ Programmes (EEPās), we hope to acquire more endangered species for breeding to contribute to these vital conservation breeding programmes.
EEPās are population management breeding programmes, currently there are over 500 endangered species managed through EAZA. We currently have the Livingstoneās Fruit Bats and the Goeldiās Monkeys on breeding recommendations, and we look forward to taking part in more breeding programmes in the near future.
This membership well and truly puts Northumberland on the worldwide zoo map.
Huge thank you to all of our team who have worked so hard and to YOU - our visitors who have been with us throughout our journey.
If you want to learn more about our past, present and future, head over to our Youtube channel for more information.
EAZA - the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria
