BIAZA Awards 2026 - The Winners!

Each year, we recognise the achievements of BIAZA member zoos and aquariums across a wide range of categories in the BIAZA Annual Awards. Compiled below is the complete list of winners, and we'll be featuring many of the project submission videos in the coming weeks on our Facebook page. 
Thank you to everyone who submitted their video to the BIAZA Awards! 

Animal Husbandry, Care and Breeding  
Winner: Peak Wildlife Park - ‘Smart Scales’
Runner up: ZSL Whipsnade Zoo - ‘The successful introduction of 4 groups of Sulawesi Crested Macaques (macaca nigra) at Whipsnade Zoo’ 
Runner up: WWT Slimbridge - ‘Building Capacity for Ringed Plover: Breeding and Management at WWT Slimbridge (2022-2025)’  

Behaviour and Welfare 
Winner: Marwell Wildlife - Training voluntary subcutaneous vaccination free contact with two servals (Leptailurus serval)
Runner up: ZSL Whipsnade Zoo - Training of Javan green magpies (Cissa thalassina) for nebulisation
Runner up: Marwell Wildlife - Embedding Nutrition as a Core Welfare Strategy: A 20-Year Programme at Marwell Zoo

Field Conservation 
Winner: Banham Zoo - Supporting the recovery of the northern pool frog
Runner up: Twycross Zoo - Cao vit gibbon conservation: saving one of the world’s most threatened apes
Runner up: RZSS - A case study of 20 years of zoo support to conservation in the wild: RZSS - BCFS partnership

Education  
Winner: Ocean Conservation Trust - STEMFest 2025: Ocean Friendly Innovations
Runner up: The Big Cat Sanctuary - What happens when you ask Home Educators what they really need?  
Runner up: Dublin Zoo - Dublin Zoo and Frontline Make Change Outreach Project

Habitats 
Winner: Dudley Zoo and Castle - Reindeer Ravine
Runner up: West Midland Safari Park - New Pad for the Pod – revamping the hippo house at West Midlands Safari Park  
Runner up: Marwell Wildlife - Walkthrough aviary inside habitat improvements

PR, Marketing, Digital & Events 
Winner: Ocean Conservation Trust - Ocean Friendly Homes
Runner up: RZSS Edinburgh Zoo - Haggis the pygmy hippo
Runner up: Chester Zoo - Tiny species, global story: Saving the Desertas Island land snail   

Sustainability 
Winner: Chester Zoo - Chester Zoo’s Journey Towards Zero Waste
Runner up: Colchester Zoo - Cross-Sector Sustainability Collaboration
Runner up: RZSS Highland Wildlife Park - Sustainable Development at Highland Wildlife Park

Diversity and Inclusion 
Winner - Dublin Zoo - Dublin Zoo’s Supported Volunteer Programme
Runner up: WWT Slimbridge - Pride in Nature
Runner up: Ocean Conservation Trust - Blue Prescriptions for Human Wellbeing – Blue Mind Hub with the Ocean Conservation Trust

Horticulture 
Winner: Chester Zoo - Planting Heart of Africa at Chester Zoo
Runner up: Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park - A new entrance for wildlife
Runner up: Shaldon Wildlife Trust - Zoo Food @ Shaldon Wildlife Trust  

Research 
Winner: Dublin Zoo - Understanding aye-aye behaviour in human care: A case study from Dublin Zoo exploring the impact of social housing
Runner up: Wingham Wildlife Park - Gooty Genetics – Understanding Relatedness in the WWP Population of Poecilotheria metallica
Runner up: Askham Bryan Wildlife and Conservation Park - Effects of enclosure design and ultraviolet exposure on health and welfare in captive giant Asian mantids (hierodula memranacea)

Professional Capacity Building 
Winner: Dublin Zoo - Dublin Zoo’s Conservation and Science Internship Programme
Runner Up: Woburn Safari Park and Wildwood Trust - Where’s Harvey? Empowering a National Network for Harvest Mouse Conservation
Runner Up: Twycross Zoo - Capacity building with a team of vets and WAPCA staff in Ghana

Veterinary
Winner: Chester Zoo - Anaesthesia of Typhlonectes natans caecilians using MS-222 immersion  
Runner Up: RZSS - Wildcat Population Management Strategies Informed By Disease Risk Assessment For The Saving Wildcats Reintroduction  
Runner Up: Horstmann Trust - A Veterinary First: Vulture Stem Cell Therapy

Rising Star ⭐ 
Nominees: 
Lyndon Howson
Daisy Kirk 
James Dennis 
Runners Up:
Jack Williams 
Ricardo Lemos de Figueiredo 
Winner: 
 Adam Welsh – Five Sisters Zoo

Outstanding Achievement ⭐ 
Nominees: 
Chester Zoo – Heart of Africa
Winner:
Hertfordshire Zoo and The Big Cat Sanctuary
Rescue team – Cat Survival Trust

Once again, congratulations to the dozens of members, teams, and individuals who go above and beyond to champion conservation, welfare, research, and education and so much more in the zoo/aquarium sector!