Karen Sausman, President
World Association of Zoos & Aquariums
Summary Statement
In my current position as President of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), it has been brought to my attention that the inhumane practice of collecting dolphins though drive fisheries operations in Japan is continuing. WAZA is the premier zoo and aquarium association in the world and comprises about 12,000 institutions all over the world. The Code of Ethics and Animal Welfare of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums is quite clear in requiring the members of WAZA to ensure that all animals in their care are treated with the utmost care and their welfare should be paramount at all times. In addition to the animals in our care, our Code of Practice also addresses the acquisition of animals for institutions and specifically condemns cruel and non-selective methods in taking animals from the wild. In the WAZA administrative session, held in Taipei, Taiwan, in 2004, a unanimous resolution was passed condemning the capture of dolphins through drive fisheries.
As President of WAZA, I represent zoo and aquarium directors of institutions comprised of scientists, veterinarians, animal care professionals and educators and our 600 million visitors to zoos and aquariums globally. We are committed deeply to animal conservation and welfare. Whether animals are in our collections, in the wild or being housed in substandard conditions in other types of facilities, the members of WAZA and the world�s professionally managed zoos are working to improve the standards of care for captive wildlife as well as conserving species in the wild. I have contacted our colleagues to enlist their support in ending the Taiji Dolphin Drive and any such activities of this nature. We have also sent a strong letter to the Government of Japan expressing our strong condemnation of the dolphin drives and urging them to stop this unjustifiable and inhumane practice.
COUNCIL:
Karen Sausman, Palm Desert (USA) - President
Ed McAlister, AO (Australia) - Immediate Past President
Gordon McGregor Reid, Chester (UK) - President Elect
Jeffery Bonner, St Louis (USA)
Jo Gipps, Bristol (UK)
Jorg Junhold, Leipzig (Germany)
Laura Mumaw, Melbourne (Australia)
Mark Penning, Durban (S. Africa)
Mark Reed, Sedgewick County (USA)
Ryszard Topola, Lodz-Miejski (Poland)