BIAZA Blog: How Accreditation is creating change at BIAZA

After two years of BIAZA Accreditation, the team delivers a look ahead on the programme to support and boost world-class zoos and aquariums: 

2026 is going to be a key year for BIAZA’s world-class accreditation programme. Last year we completed our first full year of implementation and by the end of 2026 we will be half way through our 5 year accreditation cycle. 2026 is also the year we begin trialing joint accreditation screening visits with EAZA, something I am particularly excited about. 

Things have been going really well.  We are right on track for meeting our 5-year cycle deadline, and we have been enjoying learning so much more about what our members do.  BIAZA sets globally-recognised high standards in animal care, welfare, conservation, research and education, underpinned by the evidence-based policies written by our expert Committees and Working Groups.  Accreditation is demonstrating how dedicated our members are at meeting these standards. There are so many incredible projects being undertaken that aren’t being shouted about enough at all, as well as amazing animals being cared for by dedicated staff and volunteers.  We are prouder than ever of what our members achieve, and accreditation is already helping us to tailor our communication, knowledge sharing and public affairs activities to clearly promote this. 

Although the accreditation screening process can feel a little daunting, it is also an opportunity for BIAZA to provide bespoke support and guidance for every member, helping to deliver a key part of our vision to maximise the success and impact of each member in their animal care, conservation and education to create a better future for people and animals.  Our trained screeners are experienced zoo and aquarium professionals who, alongside BIAZA’s Accreditation Officers, are committed to having open, fair and constructive discussions with staff, sharing their own expertise and recommendations collaboratively and creating an environment where everyone can learn from each other.  This is an area of the accreditation process that has been really well received by those that have participated so far, with feedback highlighting how much staff have gained from it... 

“As a small collection, we found the process quite daunting at first, but your guidance and patience really made all the difference. We’re absolutely delighted to have achieved accredited status and proud to meet BIAZA’s world-class standards.”  

“I also would like to say thank you to you and the screening team, it was a pleasure to show you our zoo on the day and we enjoyed and appreciated the discussions very much” 

“We really appreciate the guidance and support not only from you, but also from the wider BIAZA team and the Accreditation Officers, both on the day and throughout the process.  It’s been a genuinely valuable experience for us” 

Through accreditation we have already been able to: 

• link members up with each other when facing similar challenges or working on aligning projects,  
• signpost the most relevant member resources,  
• support members to actively participate in BIAZA campaigns and coordinated conservation projects,  
• listen to and act on member feedback improving our member services,  
• guide members in developing enclosures that truly promote positive welfare and see animals benefit from that,  
• encourage submissions to our awards and events,  
• diversify our communications content to reflect our full membership, 
• establish mentor relationships where longer term expert support would be beneficial.  

For example, following their accreditation screening we were able to link up Berkshire College of Agriculture with Marwell Zoo to facilitate knowledge sharing and CPD around species they both care for.  Becky Falls found the accreditation process particularly helpful for them as a smaller member in terms of facilitating connections and providing support and were pleased to have new conservation opportunities as a result including being invited of join BIAZA’s Harvest Mouse Monitor.  Conservation and research opportunities were also offered to Lakes Aquarium as part of their accreditation, with BIAZA staff facilitating links with our partner Natures Safe who are looking to increase their aquatic species samples.  The aquarium even took this one step further and supported another BIAZA member, Bournemouth Oceanarium, to also sign up to the project.  We have also seen increases in the diversity of members attending and presenting at our events, thanks to encouragement from our accreditation team to highlight and share their successes and expertise.  

While these are small examples, these benefits for BIAZA, our members, the animals we care for and our planet, will only grow as our accreditation programme continues and we are able to collaborate ever more closely to do the best we possibly can to fight the nature extinction crisis. 

- Cerian Tatchley (Head of Learning, Research & Accreditation, BIAZA)