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The Australasian Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA) has presented its annual awards, provided a chance for the Association to recognise progress, innovation and to celebrate sector excellence from zoos, aquariums and wildlife parks across Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific.

Presented during the recent online ZAA Conference and Awards 2021 - with over 300 delegates connected - 12 awards were presented across six categories, including the Conservation, Engagement, Sustainability, Exhibit, Employee of the Year and ZAA Meritorious Awards, which highlight some of the incredible contributions of ZAA members to our planet, wildlife and communities.

ZAA advised that this year’s submissions were of a very high standard and were judged to a specific set of criteria by a panel of judges across the membership in addition to an external judge.

The awards presented this year were created by people with a range of disabilities working at Lasercraft Australia.

Lasercraft’s vision is to provide supported employment for people living with disabilities. Today, they are proud to have trained and supported hundreds of people living with disabilities, making a genuine difference in their lives and the lives of their families and carers. Through training and the use of the latest technology their supported employees are able to manufacture quality awards, plaques, and business products and ship to anywhere in Australia and New Zealand.

The 2021 ZAA Awards were presented to:

Conservation Award
Small organisation
In recognition of outstanding achievement in biodiversity conservation
Rainbow Springs Nature Park
The National Kiwi Hatchery

Conservation Award
Large organisation
In recognition of outstanding achievement in biodiversity conservation
Zoos Victoria
Bogong moth and mountain pygmy-possum conservation

Sustainability Award
In recognition of outstanding achievement in environmental sustainability
Taronga Conservation Society Australia
Taronga Sustainability Scorecard

Engagement Award
Small organisation
In recognition of outstanding achievement in community engagement
Port Moresby Nature Park
Snaketastic Program

Engagement Award
Small organisation
In recognition of outstanding achievement in community engagement
Territory Wildlife Park
Artists in the Park Program

Engagement Award
Large organisation
In recognition of outstanding achievement in community engagement
Taronga Conservation Society Australia
HATCH Program

Exhibit Award
Small organisation, small development
In recognition of outstanding achievement in animal housing and exhibit design
Port Moresby Nature Park
Reptile Haus

Exhibit Award
Large organisation, small development
In recognition of outstanding achievement in animal housing and exhibit design
Symbio Wildlife Park
Tasmanian Devil and Echidna Habitats

Exhibit Award
Large organisation, large development
In recognition of outstanding achievement in animal housing and exhibit design
Auckland Zoo
Southeast Asia Jungle Track

ZAA Meritorious Award
In recognition of an individual’s extraordinary contribution to the ZAA Membership
Amanda Embury
Contribution to the ZAA Animal Management Committee and Species Management Program.

ZAA Meritorious Award
In recognition of an individual’s extraordinary contribution to the ZAA Membership
Simone Vitali
Contribution to the ZAA Veterinary Advisory Group.
 
Image: Orangutan in Auckland Zoo's Southeast Asia Jungle Track.

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