NOTE TO MEDIA: Images of The Wilds are available through this Dropbox link. Photo credits are contained in the file name (example: Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium).
BARCELONA, SPAIN – The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) is pleased to welcome The Wilds as an Institution Member to the global zoo and aquarium community.
WAZA is the global alliance of regional associations, national federations, zoos and aquariums, dedicated to the care and conservation of animals and their habitats around the world. With 400 members across the world, WAZA promotes cooperation between leading zoos, aquariums, national and regional associations, as well as with leading wildlife experts, academies, and universities. WAZA’s unique role as the one global association of zoos and aquariums is to convene the different regions, set global frameworks for the profession, and be the global voice in conservation and animal welfare.
Since 2023, WAZA has been working toward the achievement of its new vision to be a globally recognized and trusted leader advancing conservation and animal welfare. To this end, WAZA has been working toward implementing the WAZA 2023 Animal Welfare Goal, which aims to establish a global benchmark for the animal welfare evaluation processes utilized by regional and national zoo and aquarium associations worldwide.
WAZA also works closely with the IUCN Species Survival Commission and Reverse the Red to highlight the role of zoos and aquariums in halting biodiversity decline.
Spanning nearly 10,000 acres in Cumberland, Ohio, The Wilds is recognized as one of North America's premier conservation centers. With its large pastures set among rolling hills, The Wilds is home to several native species, as well as rhinos, giraffes, cheetahs, takin, and other rare and endangered animals from around the world. Through proactive assessment tools and continual evaluation, The Wilds ensures the wellbeing of every animal in its care as part of its comprehensive wellbeing program. The Wilds also works with Federal and State agencies, other zoos and aquariums, communities, universities, and other partners locally and worldwide to recover threatened species, restore habitats, and—as part of The Wilds’ mission—empower people to save wildlife.
“WAZA is very proud to welcome The Wilds as a new Institution Member. I am certain that their technical expertise and knowledge will provide our members with several opportunities to collaborate with them, especially when it comes to working together to address global challenges such as habitat restoration and human-wildlife coexistence,” said WAZA CEO Dr. Martín Zordan.
In addition to its conservation efforts, The Wilds engages visitors of all ages through educational programs and initiatives, encouraging a culture of conservation and environmental stewardship. From youth camps to adult volunteer programs, The Wilds fosters a community committed to saving wildlife and preserving habitats for generations to come, all while offering exciting experiences from inspirational tours to ziplining and horseback adventures to provide guests a variety of options to connect with nature.
“We are proud to join WAZA as an Institution Member, underscoring our commitment to advancing conservation, science, and education. This year, The Wilds is also celebrating 30 years of welcoming guests who have been a part of our journey in becoming a travel destination renowned for contributing to conservation efforts on a global scale. The connections we share with guests and our partners have helped drive our work over the years, and we recognize the vital significance of forging partnerships across the globe to grow our impact in protecting the future of wildlife. Through these international collaborations, we are committed to leading and actively engaging in initiatives that unite experts to address wildlife challenges and develop inclusive strategies that benefit wildlife as well as communities locally and around the world,” said Tom Schmid, President and CEO of The Wilds and Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
Along with being a member of WAZA, The Wilds is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and certified by American Humane.
For more information about The Wilds’ conservation initiatives, educational offerings, how to become a member, or to schedule a tour, please visit TheWilds.org and follow The Wilds’ social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.
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MEDIA CONTACTS
WAZA
Tania Kahlon
Head of Communications
Tania.kahlon@waza.org
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Nicolle Gómez Racey
Vice President, Communications and Marketing
Nicolle.racey@columbuszoo.org
Jen Fields
Director of Communications
Jen.fields@columbuszoo.org
About WAZA
WAZA is the global alliance of regional associations, national federations, zoos and aquariums, dedicated to the care and conservation of animals and their habitats around the world. With 400 members across the world, WAZA promotes cooperation between leading zoos, aquariums, national and regional associations, as well as with leading wildlife experts, academies, and universities. WAZA’s unique role as the one global association of zoos and aquariums is to convene the different regions, set global frameworks for the profession, and be the global voice in conservation and animal welfare.
About The Wilds
The Wilds sits on almost 10,000 acres of lush landscapes along the Appalachian Byway and attracts nearly 120,000 visitors annually. With the mission of Empowering People. Saving Wildlife., The Wilds is among one of the largest, cutting-edge conservation centers in North America and is home to more than 500 animals representing 28 rare and endangered species from around the world. The Wilds operates tours, overnight accommodations, special events, and summer camps as a source of revenue. The Wilds is located at 14000 International Road in Cumberland, Ohio, about 90 minutes east of Columbus. The Wilds is open year round, with a full line of tour options running from May through October and specialty tours available from November through April. For more information, visit TheWilds.org.
