In Moscow, from July 15 to 22, the next annual International Conference of the Euro-Asian Regional Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EARAZA) was held at the Moscow Zoo.

The conference was held under the slogan “The Zoo is a territory for everyone” and was timed to coincide with the 160th anniversary of the Moscow Zoo and the 30th anniversary of EARAZA.

The forum brought together more than 100 participants from 19 countries, including Turkmenistan, since the National Museum of Wildlife of Turkmenistan (Ashgabat Zoo) is a candidate member of EARAZA.

The conference participants exchanged experience and knowledge on the implementation of important environmental projects to create better living conditions for animals. A special issue was the discussion of the problem of raising international quality standards for zoos and aquariums and their educational role in modern society. The conference also included round tables with the participation of representatives of embassies, zoological and environmental organizations.

Zoologist, Professor E.A. presented the activities of the Ashgabat Zoo at the forum in his presentation. Rustamov. It was noted, in particular, that the zoo’s specialization should be species listed in the Red Book of Turkmenistan (2024), primarily ungulates and carnivorous mammals.

“It is necessary to develop a modern concept for the development of the zoo, which will take into account the exchange of wholesale and animals in the EARAZA system, the development of the infrastructure of the cities of Ashgabat and Arkadag, the role of the zoo, which it should fulfill as a cultural institution and an element of urban infrastructure”, - he noted in his speech E. Rustamov, emphasizing the attention and support provided to the zoo by the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

The management of the Moscow Zoo, as the hero of the day, was presented as a gift with the 4th edition of the Red Book of Turkmenistan, published this year.

For the conference participants, excursions were organized to the “Center for the Reproduction of Rare Animals of the Moscow Zoo” (Volokolamsk District) and to its other branch, the “Zoo in the Estate of Father Frost” (near the city of Veliky Ustyug).

EARAZA was created in 1994 on the initiative of leading zoos in the CIS and Baltic states. Today the organization unites 95 institutions from 21 countries. The annual EARAZA conference is a large-scale and extremely significant event that brings together zoo experts from all over the world and becomes the largest discussion platform.

“Zoologists are very passionate people who are passionate about their work. We are all united by concern for the environment and the welfare of animals”, - noted E.A. Rustamov.

The next EARAZA conference will be held in Sao Paulo (Brazil) in 2025.

Read on the topic: about the advantages of Turkmenistan joining the Euro-Asian Association of Zoos and Aquariums.