TWO BABY PENGUIN CHICKS AND A ROOM FULL OF ZOO AND AQUARIUM EXECUTIVES CAN INFLUENCE CHANGE TO HELP PROTECT ENDANGERED ANIMALS IN

TWO BABY PENGUIN CHICKS AND A ROOM FULL OF ZOO AND AQUARIUM EXECUTIVES CAN INFLUENCE CHANGE TO HELP PROTECT ENDANGERED ANIMALS IN THE WILD

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums Directors’ Policy Conference Takes Place this Week at Moody Gardens

GALVESTON, Texas (January 24, 2024) — Two little penguin chicks that recently hatched on Galveston Island serve as precious representatives as to why directors from around the world are meeting at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Directors’ Policy Conference this week at Moody Gardens.

SAFE: Saving Animals from Extinction and African Penguins and other endangered animals is one of many important programs AZA has created through its mission to advance animal welfare and conservation of wildlife. While the new chinstrap Penguins chicks at Moody Gardens are not endangered, this successful breeding in captivity allows visitors to see and learn more about penguins, preserving habitat and personal choices the public can adopt to help protect these and other animals in the wild.

As over 200 directors from around the world collaborate at this conference, important decisions are made about standards of excellence and accreditation, working with legislators, conservation efforts and specific areas of focus for the year. 

“We’re here to talk about the major issues of the day in the zoo and aquarium community,” said AZA president and CEO Dan Ashe who added that legislative initiatives for rescue, rehabilitation and release efforts as well as improving the quality of animal care and sustainability programs are top of the priorities for the organization this year and noted the significance of the successful breeding of the penguin chicks at Moody Gardens. “We all love baby animals and that creates an opportunity to engage the public and when we have their attention we can talk to them about what is happening to penguins in the wild.”  

Ashe added that as a grandfather, he hopes that changes such as overfishing, consumption and conservation can occur so his grandchildren will be able to appreciate the animals we know as endangered today. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums Directors’ Policy Conference concludes January 26 in Galveston. For more information about Moody Gardens call 409-744-4673 or visit www.moodygardens.org.

 

Moody Gardens® is a public, non-profit educational destination utilizing nature in the advancement of rehabilitation, conservation, recreation, and research.

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