Watatunga achieves BIAZA Accreditation for world-class zoo standards
Watatunga Wildlife Reserve has achieved the BIAZA Accreditation for demonstrating reaching the world-class standards set by the body for the best zoos and aquariums in the UK and Ireland. This mark of excellence recognises us among the UK and Ireland’s top zoos and aquariums for animal care and conservation by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
We are among the first to be accredited in the new scheme, which has been launched by BIAZA. The comprehensive accreditation process includes screenings by industry experts, detailed questionnaires and extensive documented evidence. The process goes above and beyond the UK and Ireland’s zoo licensing inspection and marks the extra efforts of good zoos and aquariums in providing the very best in animal care and recognises their work to create a better planet for animals and people.
How Our BIAZA Accreditation Reflects Our Conservation Standards
At Watatunga, conservation has always been at the heart of what we do. We are committed to nature and are proud of our many achievements, including working behind the scenes with ZSL, Chester Zoo, the World Pheasant Organisation & Bird Life International to explore the methods of re-releasing Vietnamese Pheasants back into the wild. Using our semi-wild reserve, we are able to carefully monitor birds following release, observing behaviour, social structure and spatial use. This allows us to contribute valuable insight into how these species adapt beyond traditional captive settings and how reintroduction programmes can be strengthened.
Our reserve is built around creating a landscape that encourages natural behaviours whilst maintaining the highest standards of captive welfare. During the spring and summer months, animals are not supplementary fed. In winter, we aim to health check all our animals by running them through hydraulic crushes, drop floor crushes or by catching them in pheasant pens.
Why Watatunga Stands Out
We enjoy ‘challenging the norm’ and trialling different group ratios of animals or unusual species. Our long-term vision is that sites like Watatunga can play a practical role in preparing animals within captive breeding programmes for life back in the wild. Molly Ruder, Reserve Operations Manager, believes that “Watatunga has the unique capability of supporting ruminants and their complex gut morphology for release into the wild.”
In addition, Watatunga is home to the largest non-predator-housed, fox-proof enclosure in Europe, a space we hope to further utilise in collaboration with specialist bird breeding programmes.
Dr Jo Judge, the CEO of BIAZA congratulated Watatunga Wildlife Reserve on their achievement. She said: “Receiving accredited status is not an easy thing to do. It is testament to the passion and hard work of every member of staff.”
“Our accreditation program means visitors can be sure that BIAZA zoos and aquariums are dedicated to looking after their animals to the highest standard and to inspirational work in conservation and education. We need good zoos more than ever. We face a nature crisis and we have the power to make a big difference.”
What the BIAZA Accreditation Means for Our Team
After finding out the news, Ed Pope, founder of Watatunga, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive BIAZA Accredited status. We look forward to continuing to work alongside some of the most inspirational conservation bodies of our time to create lasting positive change for wildlife.”
Molly Ruder, Reserve Operations Manager, said “Watatunga are incredibly proud to have gone from having no affiliation with BIAZA, to becoming provisional members, to professional accredited members within the space of two years. The whole process has been a brilliant learning curve and has allowed us to shape Watatunga as a conservation organisation, ensuring that we are moving in the correct direction.”
Contributing to Conservation at a National Level
Our accreditation is further strengthened by the expertise within our team. Several members actively contribute to BIAZA at a national level, ensuring we remain engaged with best practice across the sector.
Charley serves as Middle and Eastern Regional Coordinator for the BIAZA Conservation Education Committee, Grace contributes to the BIAZA Social Media Working Group, and Molly sits on the Nutrition Working Group while also acting as a BIAZA Accreditation Officer. Through these roles, we’re not only meeting recognised standards, we’re helping shape them.
Achieving BIAZA Accredited status represents an important milestone in our journey as a conservation-led wildlife reserve. It reinforces our long-term commitment to animal welfare, research, education and collaborative conservation efforts both nationally and internationally.