Latest news with #BIAZA
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Zoo animals to get more space in 'long-overdue' welfare changes
Zoos and aquariums are set to get "long-overdue" reforms for the first time in a decade. New standards published by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) include better protecting a range of species, including "the majestic snowy owl and golden eagle", "iconic elephants", and "wonders of the sea" such as sting rays and octopuses. The government's plans, described by animal welfare minister Baroness Hayman as "ambitious", have a two-year will oversee several reforms, including elephants being given larger habitats, and ending practices such as letting visitors touch fish and cephalopods, including rays and octopuses. Baroness Hayman said: "We are a nation of animal lovers, and our best zoos and aquariums are truly world leaders in setting the standard for how wild animals should be kept. "Today's long-overdue reforms lay the foundation for an even stronger, even more compassionate future for all zoos and aquariums - and the animals they protect. "This is the first step as part of our commitment to deliver the most ambitious animal welfare reforms in a generation." Read more on Sky News: Dr Jo Judge, chief executive of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums - which represents over 130 zoos and aquariums - has said its members have been "working closely" with Defra officials to update the standards. "The new standards are a significant step up in legal requirements and cement Britain's position as a global leader for zoos and aquariums," she said. "We are delighted to see them published today, demonstrating the government's and the sector's commitment to the highest levels of animal care, and helping empower zoos and aquariums to keep leading the fight for nature."
Sky News
24-05-2025
- General
- Sky News
Zoo animals to get more space in 'long-overdue' welfare changes
Zoos and aquariums are set to get "long-overdue" reforms for the first time in a decade. New standards published by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) include better protecting a range of species, including "the majestic snowy owl and golden eagle", "iconic elephants", and "wonders of the sea" such as sting rays and octopuses. The government's plans, described by animal welfare minister Baroness Hayman as "ambitious", have a two-year timeline. It will oversee several reforms, including elephants being given larger habitats, and ending practices such as letting visitors touch fish and cephalopods, including rays and octopuses. Baroness Hayman said: "We are a nation of animal lovers, and our best zoos and aquariums are truly world leaders in setting the standard for how wild animals should be kept. "Today's long-overdue reforms lay the foundation for an even stronger, even more compassionate future for all zoos and aquariums - and the animals they protect. "This is the first step as part of our commitment to deliver the most ambitious animal welfare reforms in a generation." Dr Jo Judge, chief executive of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums - which represents over 130 zoos and aquariums - has said its members have been "working closely" with Defra officials to update the standards. "The new standards are a significant step up in legal requirements and cement Britain's position as a global leader for zoos and aquariums," she said.
BBC News
05-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Leeds: Tropical World welcomes arrival of five giant tortoises
A zoo in Leeds has welcomed five giant tortoises after they outgrew their previous group of sulcata tortoises, also known as African spurred tortoises, has moved from the Blue Plant Aquarium in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire to Tropical World in are the third largest species of tortoise in the world, after the Galapagos tortoise and the Aldabra giant Hardwick, animal officer at Tropical World, said the group were all settling in well. They have been named Tank, Scoop, Dizzy, Roley and Muck."They all have coloured markings on their shells so we know who is who," said Ms Hardwick. "Tank is the biggest male and the most boisterous, he can often be seen pushing the other boys out of the way to be first to the food bowls," she new arrival comes as Tropical World, which is run by Leeds City Council, received official accreditation by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), after being screened by experts earlier this year. A Tropical World spokesperson said the mark of excellence recognised the high quality of the zoo in the fields of animal welfare, conservation, education and Rafique, Leeds City Council's executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said: "The tortoises are very impressive to look at, and we're glad to have been able to give them a new home at Tropical World."Receiving the accredited status from BIAZA is also a testament to the passion and hard work of all the staff members," he added. Sulcata tortoises have a life expectancy of more than 70 have no real known predators as adults, due to their large shell and average weight, which is around 80kg for a are the largest of all mainland tortoises and usually reside along the southern edge of the Sahara species is classed as endangered. Desertification, where land turns into desert, caused by climate change, is leading to habitat loss and competition for food. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
