Awards of Excellence

The CAZA Awards of Excellence celebrate the outstanding achievements of our member institutions in the fields of animal welfare, conservation, education, and science. These awards are a testament to the dedication and hard work of the professionals who strive to advance our mission of preserving biodiversity and fostering a deep connection between people and nature. Recognizing these efforts is crucial, as it highlights the significant contributions of our institutions and their staff in promoting ethical practices, innovative research, and impactful educational programs. By honoring excellence, we inspire continued progress and commitment to building a sustainable future for wildlife and their habitats.

Awards Recipients

Thomas R. Baines Award for Excellence in Habitat Design and Development

Eleanore Oakes Award for Education Program Design

Peter Karsten In-situ Conservation Award

Col. G.D. Dailley Award for Ex-situ Species Propagation

This award recognizes institutional achievement in the field of in-situ conservation. Applications are encouraged for projects in areas of in-situ species, habitat or biodiversity support, recovery and/or restoration. Types of support include, but are not limited to, fiscal, educational and personnel. The successful applicant will demonstrate a long-term institutional commitment to the submitted activity.

Award Recipients:

2024 Award Winner: African Lion Safari (Large Institution) with the project: Ex-situ Species Propagation of Blue-throated Macaw

2024 Award Winner: Greater Vancouver Zoo (Small Institution) with the Western Painted Turtle Recovery Program

2024 (Large Facility) African Lion Safari - Ex-situ Propagation Program of the Blue-throated Macaw
2024 (Small Facility) Greater Vancouver Zoo - Western Painted Turtle Recovery Program
2023 (Large Facility) African Lion Safari – Eastern Loggerhead Shrike recovery
2023 (Small Facility) Aquarium du Quebec – Impact of scuba diving activities on the fauna and flora of the diving sites surrounding Bonaventure island
2022 (Large Facility) Granby Zoo – Coming to the rescue of elephants and gorillas in Cameroon
2021 (Large Facility) African Lion Safari – Elephant Conservation
2021 (Small Facility) Little Ray’s Nature Centers – Wildlife Rescue
2020 Little Ray’s Nature Center
2018 Granby Zoo – Involvement of the Zoo de Granby in the preservation and enhancement of a local natural area: the Boisés-Miner
2016 Toronto Zoo – Giant Panda Conservation
2015 Greater Vancouver Zoo – Western Painted Turtle Recovery Program
2014 Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo Ottawa – Green Initiatives Program
2013 Zoo Sauvage De Saint-Félicien – Short Eared Owl Inventory in Saguenay Lac St Jean
2011 Vancouver Aquarium – Ex Situ Propogation of the Endangered Oregon Spotted Frog
2010 Aquarium du Quebec – Evitons Leur Disparitions
2009 Riverview Park and Zoo – Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre
2008 Mountain View Conservation Society – Northern Spotted Owl Captive Breeding Program
2007 Zoo de Granby
2006 Vancouver Island Marmot