In recent years, zoos and aquariums have faced criticism for prioritizing entertainment over conservation. However, the tide is shifting, and the industry is recognizing the importance of conservation. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) annual conference, held in Calgary, brought together over 2,000 professionals from around the world to discuss the evolution of zoos and their role in conservation.

The conference highlighted the changing landscape of zoos, which are no longer just places to visit for families on a Sunday outing. Instead, they are becoming conservation centers, playing a crucial role in saving species and preserving wildlife. The AZA president, Daniel Ashe, emphasized the need for zoos to be more than just entertainment venues. "Modern zoos and aquariums are conservation advocates," he said. "They are changing with the times, and it's essential for them to be fun places to visit, but also to inspire people to care about animals and nature."

The conference also focused on the alarming rate of species loss. Jessica Steiner, a senior adviser in conservation networking at the Calgary Zoo, shared that the world is experiencing an unprecedented period of species loss, with over 43,000 species considered threatened with extinction globally. Zoos are taking on a more critical role in conservation, and balancing the demands for entertainment, education, and conservation is becoming increasingly difficult.

Angela Yang, the director of international field conservation at the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, discussed the importance of collaboration between zoos and global conservation groups. "Zoos, aquariums, and botanic gardens have many resources, but we often work in silos," she said. "The public is not aware of the extent of our involvement in conservation, and it's a story that is still unfolding."

Jamie Dorgan, the interim president and CEO of the Calgary Zoo, emphasized the need for zoos to move beyond just providing entertainment. "Our key role in the community is to get people to fall in love with wildlife," he said. "When they do, they will join us in helping to save wildlife and wild places. Zoos have evolved massively in the last decade to 30 or 40 years."

Zoos: From Entertainment to Conservation Game-Changers

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