NOVEMBER 2009
The tiger team at Shepreth received one of the top awards from the zoo world, following a prestigious awards ceremony held at Knowsley Hall, Prescott. The Award was in recognition for our pioneering work on tiger conservation, which was in addition to receiving a commendation for our Education Programme – The Log pile, created by Education Officer – Lainie Bazzoni.

This award particularly highlights our efforts in educating the public about the plight of the endangered tiger and the importance of the natural world. This award-winning programme demonstrates how modern zoos can be a powerful force for conservation, tackling issues such as species extinction in the wild.

Rebecca Willers, Animal Manager at Shepreth Wildlife Park, commented at the time from her location in Indonesia, where she was working in the field to help save the tigers in their natural habitat.

“I was delighted to receive confirmation that we had won the award for Best Marketing Project for helping to promote tiger conservation through our annual Tiger Day, and also that we had received a commendation for Best Education Project: Schools and Educational Institutions.”

“Educating our visitors is something we take very seriously at the Wildlife Park, so with our Tiger Day becoming such a popular event in the August calender, I am naturally very pleased all the hard work from the staff and volunteers and also the generous help we receive from outside companies, has been recognised by such a prestigious award. Tigers are facing a losing battle in the wild, as I am currently witnessing first hand, as long as we can keep raising the funds and public awareness in the UK in order to support the important work being carried our in the field, only then may they stand a chance at long term survival.”

Shepreth was one of 16 winners chosen from 61 entries, and also one of 21 to receive a commendation. Held annually for over a decade, the BIAZA awards recognise outstanding contributions and achievements in the fields of wildlife conservation, advances in animal welfare and husbandry, veterinary medicine, marketing, PR, education, research, enclosure design and individual outstanding achievement.

Dr Miranda Stevenson, Director of BIAZA comments:
“The award-winning programmes under the spotlight today demonstrate the huge investment of energy and resources made by our leading zoos to support habitat and species conservation. Conservation within zoos and aquariums is a vital part of the work to protect threatened species and to help change public behaviour and ensure the future of Planet Earth. These awards recognise and celebrate the vital contributions that our members are making to conservation, environmental education and raising public awareness. Equally, they are standard bearers for excellence in animal husbandry and welfare.”