Southeast Asian Zoos and Aquariums Association
The regional organization of zoos and aquariums in Southeast Asia
The SOUTHEAST ASIAN ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS ASSOCIATION (SEAZA) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization of zoological institutions and affiliates in the Southeast Asian Region. Its Institutional Members are zoological institutions coming from ASEAN member and observer nations (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor Leste) as well as from regional neighbors, Hong Kong and Taiwan. SEAZA is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).
The primary purpose of SEAZA, as an organization, is to promote among its members 1) adherence to highly acceptable ex situ animal management standards and best practices, and 2) to significantly contribute to the advancement of wildlife science and education, as well as to biodiversity and wildlife habitat conservation initiatives especially in the Southeast Asian Region.
SEAZA, originally called "South East Asian Zoos", started off as a series of informal meetings as suggested by Tan Sri Victor M. Hutson. In 1988, the first South East Asian Zoos Conference was held in Zoo Negara in conjunction with the zoo's 25th anniversary. Singapore Zoo, through the efforts of its then-Director Bernard Harrison, hosted the second conference in 1989. These two conferences then led to the formal foundation of the South East Asian Zoos Association in 1990, on the occasion of the third South East Asian Zoos Conference in Cisarua, Bogor, Indonesia. General D. Ashari, an Indonesian freedom fighter and diplomat, was the founding president of SEAZA and was instrumental in formalizing the association in the 1990 conference.
Since then, SEAZA has become known alternately as the South East Asian Zoological Parks Association, and now the Southeast Asian Zoos and Aquariums Association. At present, SEAZA continues to carve its niche as a model of good zoo and aquarium management practices in its programs and affiliations.
References:
Tenaza, R. (2017). SEAZA from Bogor to Manila. Presented during the 25th SEAZA Conference in Manila, 12-17 November 2017.
Walker, S. (2001). Zoological Gardens of Asia. In Kisling, Jr., V. N. (Ed.). Zoo and Aquarium History: Ancient Animal Collections to Zoological Gardens. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press LLC.