EAZA News 58-9 - European Association of Zoos and Aquaria

Developing research
potential
The purpose of the EAZA Research
Strategy is to help zoos and
aquaria to develop their research
potential. It also aims to promote
research partnerships between
EAZA member institutions, and
between zoos and academic institutions
and other research institutions.
Biodiversity conservation
and animal welfare are its main
objectives. Scientific education
and training, the publication and
dissemination of research results
and new information, and the
linking of in-zoo investigations to
in situ studies are included in the
research vision and mission. These
are placed against an increasing
awareness of the need to deal
with emerging diseases and global
climate change.
The goals that EAZA wants to
accomplish are outlined in the
document together with a number
of suggestions as to how they
might be achieved. The EAZA
Research Committee has addressed
questions such as prioritisation of
research, how to build research
capacity within zoos of all sizes,
how research can be funded, and
where the results of research can
be published. The document also
briefly considers ethical issues,
gives examples of previous and
current research, and indicates where
further information may be found.
The EAZA Research Committee
has developed a scientific ‘vision’
and ‘mission’ to support the
science and research which underpins
many of EAZA’ s functions.
Research vision
“Every European zoo and aquarium
will make a significant contribution
to effective research, particularly
in the areas of biodiversity conservation
and animal welfare. They
will also produce and use highquality
science to increase knowledge
which improves the quality
of decision-making and management
of collections and projects.
Furthermore, they will engage in
scientific education and training.”
Research mission
The committee will work towards
the research vision and will act to
support and encourage European
zoos and aquaria to adopt a scientific
approach and participate in
research. The committee will also
support zoos and aquaria to
develop a meaningful expenditure
plan for research purposes and for
providing the necessary facilities,
tools and staff to conduct effective
biological research. Zoos and
aquaria will be encouraged to
produce and publish high-quality
scientific research in increasingly
greater measure. They will be
encouraged to develop new scientific
perspectives, linking basic
and applied research in situ and
ex situ, and to use existing and
new methodologies, including
cryobiology and biotechnology, to
engage in collaborative partnerships
with peer institutions and
kindred organisations.
The EAZA Research Committee
has prepared an outline set of
goals for EAZA member institutions,
TAGs, committees and
working groups in response to
the relevant sections of the World
Zoo and Aquarium Conservation
Strategy. Summarised, each EAZA
member institution will:
- identify and pursue it’s own
research policies and priorities;
- participate in research;
- develop infrastructure for
research;
- link research to the collection
planning process;
- disseminate research plans,
news and results;
- identify research in which it can
cooperate collectively;
- ensure that staff understand the
value of research in zoos;
- integrate research as a component
of management decisions;
- maximise the use of ZIMS and
other databases as research tools;
- measure and evaluate research
process and output.
research
The EAZA Research Strategy:
Developing the research potential of zoos and aquaria
Alastair A. Macdonald, vice-chair of the EAZA Research Committee, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, United
Kingdom and Andrea L. Fidgett, member of the EAZA Research Committee, North of England Zoological Society, Chester, United Kingdom
EAZA TAGs, Committees and
Working Groups will:
- identify research questions
specific to their taxa/expertise;
- ensure that all members understand
the value of and need for
research on their taxa/expertise;
- disseminate research plans,
news and results;
- measure, evaluate and recognise
research progress and the
resultant output.
The survey of research conducted
among EAZA members during
2005 provided a lot of very helpful
and encouraging data. Clearly,
EAZA zoos and aquaria should
resolve to prioritise research and
build capacity, communication
networks and resources. There is,
in particular, a need to include
research in budgets and to
organise funding partnerships.
The EAZA Research Strategy has
been designed to support and
promote these opportunities. •
photo rob doolaard (izp)/rotterdam zoo
As soon as the EAZA Research Strategy is published, the document
will be distributed amongst the EAZA membership and will be made
available through the EAZA website.
eaza news 58
2007
11