Reserve is recognised among the UK and Ireland’s top zoos and aquariums for world-class animal care and conservation by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
Watatunga Wildlife Reserve has achieved a mark of excellence in zoos and aquariums. Watatunga Wildlife Reserve has attained BIAZA Accredited status for demonstrating reaching the world-class standards set by the body for the best zoos and aquariums in the UK and Ireland, confirming that Watatunga Wildlife Reserve ranks among the top zoos and aquariums in the country.
Watatunga Wildlife Reserve is 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.
A unique approach to conservation breeding
Watatunga Wildlife Reserve is committed to nature and is proud of its 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. The reserve is utilising its semi-wild site to monitor the birds as they are released. They hope to understand more about their wild behaviour, social dynamics and spatial distribution in order to support the re-release programme.
Watatunga is trying to achieve the perfect balance of having animals in a semi-wild habitat that can elicit as many natural behaviours as possible, whilst still ensuring high standards of captive welfare. Animals are not supplementary fed during the spring and summer months, but they aim to health check all their animals across the winter months by running them through hydraulic crushes, drop floor crushes or by catching them in pheasant pens.
They enjoy ‘challenging the norm’ and trying out different group ratios of animals or unusual species. They hope that moving forward, captive breeding programmes can utilise their site in order to prepare animals for releasing them into 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, which it is keen to utilise in collaboration with captive bird breeding programmes.
A site designed to support reintroduction and recovery
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.”
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.”
Innovative conservation work
Watatunga’s accreditation is further strengthened by the expertise of its team, several of whom play active roles within BIAZA at a national level. Team members include Charley, Middle and Eastern Regional Coordinator for the BIAZA conservation education committee, Grace, a BIAZA Social Media Working Group member and Molly, a member of the Nutrition Working Group and a BIAZA Accreditation Officer. These roles ensure Watatunga is not only meeting best practice but also help to shape the wider zoo and aquarium community.
This milestone marks an important step in Watatunga Wildlife Reserve’s continued development as a conservation-led organisation. Reinforcing its values and commitment to animal welfare, research, education, and conservation on a national and international scale.
