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Programme
8:00 am - 9:00 am - 06 November 2024
Breakfast on Lawns
We invite all delegates to join us for breakfast on the Lawns outside The Institute before the start of the program sessions. It will be an informal networking style breakfast, with light refreshments provided.
9:00 am - 9:50 am - 06 November 2024
Keynote Speech - ReSharking Our Ocean - One Threatened Species at a Time
9:00 am
ReSharking Our Ocean - One Threatened Species at a Time
9:50 am - 10:00 am - 06 November 2024
The Future of Wildlife Tourism: A Global Look at Consumer Expectations
9:50 am
Lauren leads Tourism Australia's sustainability and accessibility strategies across marketing, industry, and business operations. With expertise in communications, she amplifies efforts in these areas. In this session, Lauren will explore global research on consumer perceptions of ethical animal treatment and how it informs Tourism Australia's approach to promoting responsible animal tourism experiences.
10:00 am - 10:40 am - 06 November 2024
Panel Session - How Responsible Wildlife Tourism Experiences can Create Positive Visitor Outcomes
How Responsible Wildlife Tourism Experiences can Create Positive Visitor Outcomes
10:40 am - 10:55 am - 06 November 2024
How Community Engagement, Education, and Visitor Experience are Transformed by Immersive Experiences
10:40 am
How Community Engagement, Education, and Visitor Experience are Transformed by Immersive Experiences
10:55 am - 11:00 am - 06 November 2024
Partners Report - Amphibian Ark
10:55 am
This presentation will provide the latest information on the global amphibian extinction crisis and an update on the activities of the Amphibian Ark organisation in response.
11:00 am - 11:30 am - 06 November 2024
Coffee Break
Break - Break
11:30 am - 11:45 am - 06 November 2024
Introducing new WAZA Members
12:00 pm
- 7 Reserva Natural Bioparque Wakatá, Colombia
- 8 Mundo Marino, Argentina
- 9 SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Australia
- 10 Florida Aquarium, United States
- 8 Mundo Marino, Argentina
- 9 SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Australia
- 10 Florida Aquarium, United States
11:45 am - 11:50 am - 06 November 2024
WAZA 2024 Conservation Award Finalists
WAZA 2024 Conservation Award Finalists
11:50 am - 12:10 pm - 06 November 2024
WAZA 2023 Animal Welfare Goal Update
11:50 am
Approaching the Summit: Lessons and Opportunities from WAZA’s 2023 Animal Welfare Goal Journey
In early 2019, WAZA Members developed a framework and later committed to implementing the WAZA 2023 Animal Welfare Goal. This initiative aims for WAZA Member National and Regional Associations to establish animal welfare evaluation processes to evaluate animal welfare at joint member institutions, that follow WAZA’s framework and direction. Originally set for completion by the end of 2023, the deadline for the WAZA 2023 Animal Welfare Goal (23AWG) has now been extended to the end of November 2024 due to the global pandemic and geopolitical challenges that impacted its implementation.
As we approach this important date, we will review the progress made, the lessons learned, and the opportunities that have arisen for our community as part of this global effort.
12:10 pm - 12:20 pm - 06 November 2024
Celebrating Successes - Associations Achieving 23AWG in 2024
12:10 pm
Celebrating Successes - Associations Achieving 23AWG in 2024
12:20 pm - 12:40 pm - 06 November 2024
Launch of the WAZA 2027 Population Management Goal
12:20 pm
WAZA recognises the significance and value of professional population management of animals in zoos and aquaria and has committed to the development of a WAZA Population Management Goal which will define those elements essential for effective population management for WAZA member institutions and Associations.
12:40 pm - 1:15 pm - 06 November 2024
Use of Advanced Technology for Animal Welfare and Conservation Programmes
12:40 pm
- “Fitbits” for wildlife: the use of an accelerometer-based smart collar and machine learning to remotely monitor animal behaviour
- Using AI to Increase Transparency and Awareness of Ex-situ Conservation and Welfare
Monitoring behaviour and activity can offer valuable insights into the health and welfare of animals, helping animal carers, researchers, and conservationists to make informed decisions about animal management. Traditional behavioural assessments have relied on time consuming and non-continuous visual assessments, driving a need to develop a more automated method for quantifying animal behaviour. While the automatic assessment of behaviour from video footage yield would be an ideal option in a zoo setting due to its low non-invasive nature, it often produces inconsistent results and requires a controlled environment. Wearable devices that directly measure animal movement yield better results. We have recently developed an accelerometer-based “smart collar” that, after training machine learning algorithms, can be used to remotely quantify the behaviour of any species large enough to wear the device. This presentation will showcase this technology and explore its potential applications in zoo and aquarium setting, as well as how it could be used to improve our understanding of endangered species in the wild.
1:15 pm - 1:30 pm - 06 November 2024
Daily Closing Recap
1:15 pm
Daily Closing Recap
1:30 pm - 2:00 pm - 06 November 2024
Group Photo
Session - Session
2:00 pm - 3:15 pm - 06 November 2024
Taronga Behind the Scenes Tours
Social Function - Social Function
Behind the Scenes
Taronga Zoo are offering a range of Behind the Scenes (BTS) tours which will be running from 2pm-3.15pm on Wednesday afternoon. Delegates can enjoy lunch from 1.30pm-2pm at the Institute and then you will be split into small groups and taken on specific tours around the Zoo.
79th WAZA Annual Conference BTS Tours
Please check your emails for a direct booking link to your online registration account. If you do not book online, places will be allocated in-person, depending on any available spaces in the different groups. This component of the afternoon is available to all delegates to attend, even if you have not pre-booked.
Please check your emails for a direct booking link to your online registration account. If you do not book online, places will be allocated in-person, depending on any available spaces in the different groups. This component of the afternoon is available to all delegates to attend, even if you have not pre-booked.
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm - 06 November 2024
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium Guided Visit
Session - Session
Guests with tickets for this function will be given a wrist-band on Wednesday, and your guide from the BTS tours will escort you to the ferry terminal once your tour has concluded.
We will take a private ferry transfer across the Harbour for another behind the scenes tour of SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium – with private access to the spaces, interactive exhibitions and the aquarium team who will be available to meet you and answer all of your questions! You will then enjoy drinks and food at one of the most iconic locations in the world – Sydney Opera House, at the famous Opera House Bar. All travel will be via private boat transfer across the beautiful harbour, with the perfect photo opportunities of Sydney’s most famous sights, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Luna Park.
Places for this activity have been allocated to delegates who
have pre-registered to attend and have now been closed off as we have confirmed final numbers to our tour providers.
Please check with the registration desk if you wish to enquire about adding a space to your registration, and these will be allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis, subject to availability.
We will take a private ferry transfer across the Harbour for another behind the scenes tour of SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium – with private access to the spaces, interactive exhibitions and the aquarium team who will be available to meet you and answer all of your questions! You will then enjoy drinks and food at one of the most iconic locations in the world – Sydney Opera House, at the famous Opera House Bar. All travel will be via private boat transfer across the beautiful harbour, with the perfect photo opportunities of Sydney’s most famous sights, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Luna Park.
Places for this activity have been allocated to delegates who
have pre-registered to attend and have now been closed off as we have confirmed final numbers to our tour providers.
Please check with the registration desk if you wish to enquire about adding a space to your registration, and these will be allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis, subject to availability.
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm - 06 November 2024
Evening Reception at Sydney Opera Bar
Social Function - Social Function
Join us at Sydney Opera Bar from 6.30pm this evening for a relaxed networking drinks and canapes reception. There are no formalities.
https://www.operabar.com.au/
If you are making your own way there, please make sure you show your lanyard and badge at the Opera Bar entrance so they can direct you to our private area.
https://www.operabar.com.au/
If you are making your own way there, please make sure you show your lanyard and badge at the Opera Bar entrance so they can direct you to our private area.