The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) has announced the winners of the 2025 WAZA Awards, honoring outstanding achievement in animal welfare, conservation, environmental sustainability, and professional excellence across the global zoo and aquarium community.
Presented during the Gala Dinner of WAZA’s 80th Annual Conference, held in Cali, Colombia, and online last week, this year’s awards highlighted the exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact of WAZA Members worldwide. The 2025 edition marked a milestone year, introducing a new institutional honor – the WAZA Animal Welfare Award.
“These awards showcase the very best of our community – institutions and individuals who are redefining excellence in animal welfare, conservation science, and sustainability,” said Martín Zordan, WAZA Chief Executive Officer. “Their work demonstrates how modern zoos and aquariums are driving tangible progress for wildlife, ecosystems, and people around the world.”
Honoring the best in global zoo and aquarium excellence
The inaugural WAZA Animal Welfare Award recognized Toronto Zoo (Canada) for its holistic, evidence-based approach to animal welfare that integrates innovation, compassion, and technology. The award was presented by Dr Alejandro Grajal, Chair of the WAZA Ethics and Animal Welfare Committee.
The WAZA Conservation Award went to Fundación Temaikèn (Argentina) for its long-term project conserving threatened endemic flora within the Osonunu Reserve, demonstrating how plant conservation can drive wider biodiversity protection.
The WAZA Environmental Sustainability Award was presented to the Seattle Aquarium (United States) for its transparent, science-based sustainability strategy, including a LEED Gold-certified facility and active leadership in environmental policy and wildlife protection.
The Heini Hediger Award, WAZA’s highest honor for individual professional excellence, was awarded to Professor Theo B. Pagel (Germany), Director and CEO of Cologne Zoo, for more than three decades of outstanding leadership in animal welfare, conservation, and education, and for his global contributions as WAZA President (2019–2021) and co-founder of the Reverse the Red movement with the IUCN Species Survival Commission.
WAZA launches the 2025 Animal Welfare Strategy – A global framework for excellence in animal care
WAZA also unveiled at the conference the WAZA Animal Welfare Strategy 2025: Advancing Animal Welfare – The World Zoo and Aquarium Animal Welfare Strategy, a comprehensive, science-based framework guiding zoos and aquariums worldwide to advance the care, protection, and welfare of animals.
First published in 2015, the Strategy has now been fully updated to reflect a decade of scientific progress and evolving best practice. Developed with contributions from over 40 experts across the WAZA membership, the new edition reinforces a holistic and evidence-driven approach to animal welfare.
WAZA launches 2024 Annual Report
The WAZA Annual Report 2024 was also officially launched at the conference, celebrating a year of collaboration, progress, and global impact.
The report highlights key milestones – from strengthened engagement in global policy forums such as The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), to continued progress on the Animal Welfare Evaluation Process across WAZA member associations. It also reflects the spirit of cooperation that defines the WAZA community, recognised at the 79th WAZA Annual Conference at Taronga Zoo Sydney.
As WAZA marks its 90th anniversary, the report invites readers to explore “90 Years of WAZA in 90 Images” – a visual journey through nine decades of shared history and global impact.
A landmark 90th anniversary gathering
The awards formed part of the 80th WAZA Annual Conference – a landmark edition marking 90 years of WAZA uniting the world’s modern zoos and aquariums for a thriving planet. Hosted by the Cali Zoological Foundation, the event brought together delegates from across all regions under the theme “90 Years and Beyond: Uniting for a Thriving Planet.”
Over five days, participants explored strategies to strengthen resilience, innovation, and collective action across the global zoo and aquarium network. Highlights included inspiring keynote addresses by Wade Davis, Rosamira Guillén, Andrés Link, and Susana Cárdenas, alongside sessions on global conservation partnerships, education, and the implementation of WAZA’s Animal Welfare and Conservation Goals.
“Ninety years on, WAZA continues to bring together a global community united by purpose,” said Dr. Zordan. “This year’s conference in Colombia celebrated not only our shared history but also our collective determination to build a future where biodiversity and human wellbeing thrive together.”
