SOUTHEAST ASIAN ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS ASSOCIATIONThe Regional Organization of Zoos and Aquariums in Southeast Asia

26th SEAZA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Chiang Mai, Thailand
28th October – 2nd November 2018

CONFERENCE COMMUNIQUÉThe 26th Conference of the Southeast Asian Zoos & Aquariums Association (SEAZA) was held at
the Empress Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand from the 29th to the 31st of October 2018 with postconference activities held on the 1st and 2nd of November 2018. The conference was hosted by theZoological Parks Organization (ZPO) under the Patronage of H.M. the King of Thailand. A total of293 participants from 23 countries registered and participated in the conference.
With the theme, “One Voice for Nature & Wildlife” the 26th SEAZA Conference’s primary aim wasto inspire and send a united voice to highlight the important role of zoological institutions in
the Southeast Asian Region as primary centers for appreciation and preservation of nature,
wildlife and its habitats.
The conference was formally opened on 29th October 2019 with opening addresses deliveredby SEAZA President, Dr. Phan Viet Lam and ZPO Director General, Mr. Benjapol Nakprasert.
President of WAZA, Dr. Jenny Gray and Past President of SEAZA, Mr. Bernard Harrison gave
keynote speeches. The plenary sessions and presentations by the participating delegates werewell received. The presentations covered best practices in Animal Welfare, Conservation andEducation, Veterinary Healthcare and Wildlife Nutrition.
ZPO also graciously hosted the Asian Zoo and Exotic Veterinary Conference in conjunction
with the SEAZA Conference and hence there was greater participation for both conferences.
The SEAZA Executive Board is updated as follows:
Executive Board Members:
1. Dr. Phan Viet Lam, President (Vietnam)
2. Dr. Cheng Wen-Haur, 1st Vice President (Singapore)
3. Dr. Jason Chin, 2nd Vice President (Taiwan)
4. Mr. Sophon Dumnui, Immediate Past
7. Dr. Rahmat Shah, Executive Board Member
President (Thailand)(Indonesia)
5. Dr. Kevin Lazarus, Executive Board
8. Mr. Joaquin Jake Gaw, Executive Board
Member (Malaysia)
Member (Philippines)
6. Mr. Benjapol Nakprasert, Executive Board
9. Ms. Kyiphyu Zaw, Executive Board
Member (Thailand)Member (Myanmar)
Honorary Board Members:
1. Mr. Bernard Harrison, Singapore
2. Prof. Govindasamy Agoramoorthy, India3. Mr. Jansen Manansang, Indonesia
SEAZA Secretary: Ms. Nguyen Tuyet Quynh Dao

4. Prof. Richard Tenaza, USA/Philippines
5. Mr. Pisit Na Patalung, Thailand

SOUTHEAST ASIAN ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS ASSOCIATIONThe Regional Organization of Zoos and Aquariums in Southeast Asia

SEAZA Committee Updates
1. Conservation Committee (SCC)‐ The Committee has met multiple times and worked on developing a realistic strategy forregional zoos and their involvement in conservation. The last committee meeting was held atSingapore Zoo in September 2018 to specifically discuss the role of SEAZA in global
conservation forums such as the IUCN SSC.
‐ The committee also started working more closely with the Asian Species Action Partnership(ASAP) and the newly set-up CPSG South-East Asia Resource Centre, to further develop
opportunities for ex-situ conservation involvement of Asian Zoos for threatened South-east
Asian species, as well as on training to build up regional ex-situ conservation strength.
‐ Several workshops and talks were conducted by members of the SEAZA CC at global
conferences, which included EAZA Conservation Forum 2018, CPSG Annual Conference 2018,
SEAZA Annual Conference.
2. Species Management Committee (SSMC)‐ In 2018, SSMC has also embarked on two more breeding programmes with its relevant
coordinators chosen. These additions brought the number of SEAZA Species Management
Programme to a total of four, namely the Orangutan, Malayan Tapir, Sun Bear and Lar Gibbon.
‐ Coordinators of the orangutan breeding programme crafted a detailed reporting for thespecies, with comprehensive information on demography, genetics and health of theorangutans in the region, and also the programmes outlook and goals. The report also
highlighted several challenges and the coordinators’ plans to counter and address. This
report for the orangutan will serve as a model report for all other breeding programmes tofollow.
‐ SSMC also facilitated their second Basic Population Management workshop which happened
right after the annual SEAZA Conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This workshop wasattended by participants from regional member zoos, and a call for stronger communications
for the workshop and updates of the breeding programmes were noted.
3. Animal Welfare and Ethics Committee (SAWEC)‐ Pilot Assessment project was held at Mango Zoo, Dong Nai Province, Vietnam in 2018
‐ SEAZA Animal Welfare Certification framework was completed and approved.
‐ It recognizes the importance of high standard of animal welfare in member zoos.
‐ The certification program is based on assessment tools, interviews and peer review‐ To collaborate with National Zoo Associations, Wild Welfare (NGO) and Zoos and Aquariums
Association Australia (ZAA)‐ Certification shall be a criterion for SEAZA membership application.
‐ Auditors training will be conducted by Wild Welfare‐ SEAZA Animal Welfare Standards and guidelines were finalized and approved.
4. Training and Education Committee‐ SEAZA member participants attended a total of 14 workshop and training sessions that were
held in 2018
‐ The most notable and well attended workshops were:SOUTHEAST ASIAN ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS ASSOCIATIONThe Regional Organization of Zoos and Aquariums in Southeast Asia•••

The Asian Reproductive Biotechnology Congress – A total of 155 participants from 13
countries attended.
Rhino Assisted Reproduction Technology Workshop – A total of 77 participants from 9
countries attended
International Conference on Eurasian Otters was attended by 150 participants from 11countries.

Future Conferences
The VZA and VPS will host the SEAZA 2019 conference in Phu Quoc, Vietnam, tentatively on 1720 November 2019. The annual SEAZA conference 2020 is proposed to be held in Myanmar.
General Assembly
The General Assembly was held on 31st Oct 2018 at the Conference Hall, Empress Hotel Thailand
and approved the following resolutions:‐ The Opening of the Membership and Information Office in the Philippines managed by thePHILZOOS.
‐ To register SEAZA as a Society in Singapore and to open a SEAZA Bank Account in Singapore
which will be managed by WRS.
‐ To ensure that all SEAZA member zoos that are WAZA members will be assessed for Animal
Welfare Certification by 2023. Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam with two member zoos eachcountry should be assessed and certified first and this shall commence in Mar 2019.
‐ Endeavour to stop the use of single use plastics.
‐ To declare the 22nd of October to be World Zoo Day.
‐ The current official SEAZA Website is: www.seaza.asia
The GA of SEAZA 2018 was formally closed with SEAZA Executive Board expressing its thanks
to Thailand and ZPO for organizing a very successful 26th SEAZA Conference in Chiang Mai.
Additionally, two days were allocated after the main conference workshops organized by thevarious SEAZA Working Committees and post conference tours to Chiang Mai Night Safari andElephant Conservation Centers.
The participants were also treated to great cultural dances and activities with traditional
Northern Thailand Cuisine during the Ice Breaker, Welcome and Farewell dinners which allmade the conference an unforgettable experience.