Defra has commissioned ADAS to review the conservation and education
activities carried out by zoos. Since 2003, the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 (as
amended) has required zoos to participate in conservation and education
measures.
The project aims to collect and assess information about the amount and type of conservation and education work that zoos in England are currently undertaking. ADAS Consultants will identify best practice, in order to assist and support zoos in these activities. The term “zoos” includes the wide variety of licensed collections including farm parks, aquariums, bird gardens and safari parks as well as traditional zoos.
The specific objectives for the project are to assess the current level of conservation and education work for a range of zoos in order to:-
- provide an analysis of how zoos are meeting their legal obligations;
- recommend minimum standards for zoos with regard to their education
and conservation work; and - identify a proportionate means for zoo inspectors to assess compliance
with the legislation.
The work will be delivered by in close collaboration with BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums). The project team have extensive knowledge of zoo licensing requirements, conservation and education measures so far developed and the market research and analysis expertise required to successfully deliver this project.
Information about BIAZA can be found on the following website:
http://www.biaza.org.uk/.
The project will be carried out in stages and includes:
- a review of the current measures and studies that have been undertaken
in developing minimum standards; - conducting telephone interviews, using a representative sample of zoos
drawn from a list of licensed zoos in England, to collect details of zoos’
current contributions to education and conservation; - establishing a small Consultation Group made up of representatives of
Local Authorities, Zoo Inspectors and Zoo Operators to advise the project
team and to assist with the development of an approach to deliver the
objectives of this project; and - a final report to Defra for publication on the Defra website. This report will
cover the policy, scientific background, methods used, results and
conclusions with recommendations.
Licensing of zoos in England is the responsibility of local authorities. The Secretary of State’s appointed Zoo Inspectors carry out inspections of these zoos which includes assessing the zoo’s contribution to education and conservation.
For further information on zoos and zoo licensing please see
http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/protection/zoo/index.htm
The market research conducted during the course of this project will be in accordance with the Market Research Society’s Code of Conduct and as such data from individual zoos will be anonymous. During the survey, however, consent for further contact and use of information will be sought from individual respondents. Where consent is given, case studies will be developed using information provided by these zoos. These case studies will be used to illustrate best practise as examples of effective contribution to education and conservation.
If you have any queries about this project then please contact the ADAS Project Manager, Sam Beechener by e-mail sam.beechener@adas.co.uk.