European Association of Zoos and Aquaria

What European Association of Zoos and Aquaria does

The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), founded in 1992 and headquartered in Amsterdam, is a Dutch-registered public benefit organisation (ANBI status) operating as the world's largest regional zoo and aquarium membership association. EAZA coordinates animal management, conservation, education, and research across more than 400 member institutions spanning 47 countries in Europe and Western Asia, with over 148 million annual visits to member facilities.

The core technology and programme portfolio comprises the EAZA Ex situ Programmes (EEPs), which coordinate breeding and population management across member zoos using the ZIMS (Zoological Information Management System) provided by Species360; the three-step Accreditation Programme that validates member institutions against EAZA Standards for animal care, conservation, education, research, and ethics; the EAZA Academy training platform (150+ courses delivered, 3,800+ attendees since 2010); the EAZA Biobank (established 2019, four institutional hubs); and nine specialist committees covering EEPs, Membership and Ethics, National Associations, Communications, Conservation, Conservation Education, Research, Technical Assistance, and Veterinary matters.

EAZA is funded primarily through membership fees from zoos and aquariums, corporate member packages from 12 supplier categories (aquarium equipment, consultancy, enclosure equipment, exhibit design, merchandise, nutrition, theming, transport, digital services, visitor experiences, and travel), EU and institutional grants, and donations. Governance is provided by an elected Council and Executive Committee drawn from member-zoo directors, supported by a permanent Executive Office staff of 11-50. The organisation holds a seat on the WAZA Council, the Species360 board, and the CPSG Governing Council, and plays a recognised role in the implementation of the 1999 EU Zoos Directive.

Name

European Association of Zoos and Aquaria

Legal name

European Association of Zoos and Aquaria

Website

https://eaza.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) is the world's largest regional zoo and aquarium membership association, coordinating animal management, conservation, accreditation, and training across 400+ member institutions in 47 countries across Europe and Western Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Zoo and Aquarium Association Services

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)

Keywords

• Zoo association services
• Wildlife conservation management
• Animal population management
• Zoo accreditation programs
• Conservation professional training

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

EAZA operates as a membership association coordinating animal management, conservation, education, and professional development for more than 400 zoos, aquariums, and related organisations across Europe, Western Asia, and beyond. Its primary offerings include collaborative Ex situ Programmes (EEPs) for species population management, an accreditation framework validating member standards, a professional training academy, biological sample biobanking services, and field conservation initiatives.

Product overview

EAZA is a membership organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programmes and services for zoos and aquariums. The core offerings include EAZA Ex situ Programmes (EEPs) for collaborative animal population management, the EAZA Accreditation Programme for standards validation, and the Candidate for Membership Programme providing development pathways for aspiring institutions. Supporting these are the EAZA Academy for professional training having delivered over 150 courses, the EAZA Biobank for biological sample preservation, and The Modern Zoo technical manual. Additional services include conservation campaigns, field conservation initiatives, online education resources, EEP pages with species information, events and conferences, and publications including Zooquaria magazine and the Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research. The organization operates through annual governance meetings, nine specialist committees, and an Executive Office.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EAZA Ex situ Programmes (EEPs) Collaborative programmes for managing healthy and genetically diverse animal populations across member institutions, involving coordinated animal exchanges, breeding recommendations, and specialist knowledge sharing across species. Used by accredited EAZA member zoos and aquariums.
• EAZA Accreditation Programme

Quantifiable outcome

• 148 million+ annual visits to member zoos and aquariums
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1992EAZA is a member of IUCN and has strong links with IUCN SSC through Members and staff. A MoU with IUCN aims to establish mutually beneficial partnerships to improve collective impact and effectiveness of species conservation efforts worldwide.
• IUCN SSC (Species Survival Commission)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1992EAZA works closely with many Specialist Groups such as ASAP and holds a seat on the CPSG Governing Council, facilitating collaboration between zoo-based and field conservation efforts.
• WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquaria)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEAZA is a member of WAZA and holds a seat on WAZA Council. Works with WAZA on interactions with IATA and plays an important part in Global Species Management Plans (GSMPs) under WAZA auspices.
• AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEAZA is part of a MoU with PKBSI, AZA, IUCN SSC Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group, and IUCN SSC Wild Pig Specialist Group concerning GSMPs for anoa, banteng, babirusa and Sumatran tiger.
• Species360coreTechnology or IntegrationEAZA holds a seat on the boards of Species360. The ZIMS (Zoological Information Management System) is used by EAZA members for population management and is integrated into the accreditation process.
• EAZWV (European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEAZA has renewable 5-year MoU with EAZWV highlighting areas of mutual interest where cooperative working can enhance common goals, including committee participation and working groups.
• EUAC (European Union of Aquarium Curators)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEAZA has renewable 5-year MoU with EUAC for collaborative population management, joint communications, and advocacy efforts.
• EAAM (European Association for Aquatic Mammals)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEAZA has renewable 5-year MoU with EAAM highlighting areas of mutual interest and cooperative working to enhance common goals.
• ALPZA (Latin American Association of Zoos and Aquariums)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEAZA partners with ALPZA through regularly reviewed and renewed MoU to help sharing information and best practice for international work.
• AZA Reproductive Management CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEAZA partners with AZA Reproductive Management Centre through regularly reviewed and renewed MoU for sharing information and best practice.
• Rwanda Development Board (RDB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU running from 2018 related to the release and monitoring of Eastern black rhinoceroses from the EEP to the Akagera National Park (Rwanda).
• Tanzania Ministry of Natural Resources and TourismcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU running from 2025-2029 related to conservation translocation processes, post-release management and research of the Eastern black rhinoceros to and within Tanzania's protected areas.
• AAP (Animal Advocacy and Protection)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU regarding cooperation for the Barbary macaque EEP that has been in place since 2020.
• ReSharkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU regarding cooperation in the field of reinforcement of the population, post-release management and conservation research of Zebra Shark (2024-2027).
• Rewilding SpainminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU regarding conservation of Przewalski's horse and restoration of its population via individuals from the EEP transferring to natural grazing restoration projects in Spain (2025-2035).
• Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU with KWS and Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC) regarding repatriation of male Mountain bongos from the EEP to the MKWC in Kenya (2025-2035).
• EAZA Biobank Partners (Antwerp Zoo, Copenhagen Zoo, IZW, RZSS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe EAZA Biobank became fully established in 2019 and MoUs were agreed with four hubs based at Antwerp Zoo, Copenhagen Zoo, IZW, and RZSS for biological sample storage and conservation research.
• Nature's SafeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU partner for biobanking and cryopreservation services (2021-2027).
• Autonomous University of BarcelonaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU partner for biobanking and cryopreservation research (2023-2026).
• Deutsches Primatenzentrum (DPZ)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU partner for biobanking and cryopreservation research (2025-2035).
• Singapore Zoological GardensminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU partner for biobanking and cryopreservation (2025-2026).
• Allwetterzoo MünsterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU partner for biobanking and cryopreservation (2026-2031).
• Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences (UPWr)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU partner for biobanking and cryopreservation (2026-2031).

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/EAZAvideo
• Facebookfacebook.com/EAZA01
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eaza
• Instagraminstagram.com/eaza_official

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about European Association of Zoos and Aquaria