Held at the cutting-edge Leipzig Zoo, this yearly gathering brought together over 1,000 international experts to discuss endangered species preservation.

Terra Natura Benidorm participated at the Annual Conference of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA), held in Leipzig, Germany, from 2-5 October 2024. One of the primary international forums for the protection of endangered species, this esteemed event brought together over 1,000 conservation and animal welfare experts from more than 40 nations.

Elisa Gozalbes, the head of Conservation, and Mario Torró, the park’s veterinarian, represented Terra Natura Benidorm. Both took part in a number of meetings and events aimed at enhancing conservation tactics in aquariums and zoos and exchanging expertise. Protecting endangered species and the vital role zoos can play in biodiversity conservation were the main topics of discussion at this year’s conference.

Mario Torró and Elisa Gozalbes attended 16 lessons in total, giving special attention to those involving the species kept at Terra Natura Benidorm, including the Asian elephant, Indian rhinoceros, felids, and canids. They were able to learn about the most recent advancements in the management of these species and exchange experiences with other professionals during these sessions.

Mario Torró said, “These kinds of congresses are essential to improving our practices and to continue innovating in the conservation of endangered species.” We particularly benefited from the rhino and elephant workshops since we were able to exchange knowledge with other parks and gain insight from their experiences.

Over 130 sessions were held at the conference, which was held in eight different halls at the historic Leipzig Zoo. A visit to Leipzig Zoo, regarded as one of the most cutting-edge establishments in the world for animal welfare and conservation, was one of the highlights. The zoo’s “Zoo of the Future” idea, which combines sustainability, animal welfare, and visitor experience, has been successfully implemented.

The Terra Natura representatives were inspired by their visit to Leipzig Zoo. “We have a lot of ideas to implement in our own facilities after witnessing firsthand how they are implementing innovations in species management and visitor interaction,” Elisa Gozalbes remarked.

Terra Natura’s involvement in this kind of congress is essential for keeping in touch with other organisations that support endangered species protection as part of EAZA. EAZA, which was established in 1992 and unites over 400 organisations from 47 nations, is a global pioneer in zoo-aquarium cooperation for biodiversity conservation.

“The success of breeding and conservation programs depends on international cooperation,” Elisa Gozalbes emphasised the significance of this kind of cooperation. We at Terra Natura are dedicated to actively supporting these international endeavours, both via our own projects and by working with and learning from other organisations.