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<em>By Norah Farnham, ICZ Steering Committee Member</em>

<strong>Connecting Keepers Worldwide</strong>
By now most AAZK members are familiar with the International Congress of Zookeepers (ICZ). Many of you have attended at least one ICZ conference: 2003 in The Netherlands, 2006 in Australia, or last year in Seattle. Whether or not you’ve attended a previous ICZ conference, mark your calendars for the next big event--- September 2012 in Singapore!  Exact dates of the conference will be announced within the next 12 months.

Those of you who attended the joint AAZK/ICZ Conference in Seattle last September personally experienced the global network of keepers developing through the efforts of the ICZ. The success of this first-ever joint conference is just one result of the hard work and planning that have occupied the ICZ in its first 10 years.

Much has been accomplished in the last decade, and the next promises to be equally productive and successful. This article is meant to give some background, current happenings, and future goals of the ICZ.

<strong>In the Beginning</strong>
A small travel grant brought representatives from seven of the world’s professional zookeeper organizations to the AAZK conference in Columbus, Ohio, in 2000. Since this auspicious meeting, the ICZ has grown to an incorporated 501(c)(3) organization, complete with a Constitution, Bylaws and 6000 members worldwide!

Though the early years were occupied with necessary tasks such as formation of a Steering Committee (SC), development of a Constitution, and incorporation, we also managed to host three conferences and assist with the development of two  new professional keeper associations, (ZAP and AKAA).

The SC of the ICZ consists of 18 members representing the world’s nine professional keeper associations.
-  American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK)
-  Association of British Wild Animal Keepers (ABWAK)
-  Australasian Society of Zoo Keeping (ASZK)
-  Asociación Ibérica de Cuidadores de Animales Salvajes (AICAS) [Spain/Portugal]
-  Association Francophone des Soigneurs Animaliers (ASFA) [France]
-  Berufsverband der Zootierpfleger (BdZ) [Germny]
-  Foundation Harpij (De Harpij) [The Netherlands/Belgium]
-  Animal Keepers’ Association of Africa (AKAA)
- Zookeepers’ Association of the Philippines (ZAP)

The representatives have met each year, since 2000, to coordinate the development of an international association that will promote professional animal care throughout the world.

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<strong><em>ICZ Steering Committee with Dr. Onnie Byers, Singapore 2010</em></strong>

Gaining Recognition
The emergent ICZ soon caught the attention of Gordon Reid, Director General of Chester Zoo, and, at the time, President of WAZA, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Professor Reid realized the tremendous potential of this force of thousands of zookeepers. By working through its membership, the ICZ is uniquely placed to:

• Be the voice of the worldwide community of zookeepers and other animal care professionals;
• Improve the profession of zookeeping through the establishment of best practice and the   standardization of zookeeping skills;
• Improve animal welfare through advanced animal care in the world’s zoological institutions;
• Provide a global platform for zookeepers and a network of information sharing for the benefit of wildlife;
• Assist in the development of new and emerging regional zookeeper associations and assist zoos needing improvement;
• Mobilize the skills and knowledge required to secure wildlife populations, especially for critically endangered species;
• Develop partnerships with other organizations to improve the future for wildlife; and
• Promote conservation through zookeepers serving as frontline educators;

Worldwide, zoos and aquariums attract millions of visitors each year.  As frontline educators in many of these institutions, and through their daily activities, zookeepers are well placed to inspire and mobilize these visitors to take actions in addressing conservation issues.  The zookeeper’s direct role in providing the highest standards of animal care and welfare, naturalistic exhibits, and conservation messages connects people with wildlife, promotes awareness and encourages action that contributes to the preservation of wildlife.  By working together, the global zookeeper community and its partners can have a…..

<strong>Want to read the rest of this article? For this and many more fascinating articles every month, see Animal Keepers’ Forum.  AKF is available only by being a member of AAZK. <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/join/">JOIN NOW! </a></strong>