The sharing of scientific knowledge between zoos and aquariums is essential for the development and continuous improvement of conservation programmes.
This sharing allows for:
- The collection of data and scientific research on animal behaviour or reproductive biology. This data provides in-depth knowledge of species and can be applied to wildlife conservation projects.
- Breeding programmes for reintroduction into the wild.
- Environmental awareness and education for visitors and the local community.
Global Conservation Plans
It is believed that knowledge sharing and collaboration between institutions accelerates the development of effective conservation measures, habitat protection and wildlife preservation. All these elements are essential to global conservation plans in zoos and aquariums.
According to the "Position Statement on the Role of Botanical Gardens, Aquariums and Zoos in Species Conservation" (IUCN, 2023), many species have been close to extinction and are now recovering thanks to the efforts of botanical gardens, aquariums and zoos, places with high standards of care, conservation, education and research.
This position of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the global body for classifying the degree of threat to species, recognises the work of these facilities and their expertise in species management, education, research, financial contribution and community involvement to prevent species extinction, restoring them to a favourable conservation status.
Behavioural Conservation Centre: Zoomarine and IUCN
Zoomarine and the IUCN Species Survival Commission have created the first Species Survival Centre focused on behavioural change for conservation. This European centre connects conservation professionals, researchers and policy makers to apply behavioural science to biodiversity challenges.
The Centre, operating at Zoomarine, will collaborate with fishing communities, government agencies, NGOs and other strategic partners to identify behavioural intervention solutions for marine conservation. New lines of research will be developed on innovative communication formats, such as virtual reality, augmented reality and digital influencers to drive conservation behaviours. In addition, new specialised training programmes for Behaviour Change will also be developed.
Host of scientific meetings
With the aim of promoting knowledge sharing, Zoomarine has hosted conferences, symposiums, lectures, workshops and meetings.
See the full list of events
- EAZA 2022 – Annual Conference of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria | Zoomarine, September/October 2022;
(event description and photo gallery pending)
- 47th Annual Symposium of the EAAM – European Association for Aquatic Mammals Zoomarine Algarve, 4th-7th March 2019
- IMATA 2018 – Annual Conference of the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association | Zoomarine, October 2018;
(event description and photo record missing)
- Annual Congress of Educators of the AMMPA (Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums) 2017 | Zoomarine, October 2017;
(event description and photo gallery missing)
- RIOS – Reducing the Impact of Oil spills | Zoomarine, April 2008;
(event description and photo record missing)
- Annual meeting of the Educators Group and Veterinarians Group of AIZA – Iberian Association of Zoos and Aquariums | Zoomarine, February 2008;
(event description and photographic record missing)
- European Workshop on Best Practices for Oiled Wildlife Cleaning and Rehabilitation | Zoomarine, October 2006;
(event description and photographic record missing)
- Workshop on Production in Seaweeds Purifying Effluents from Marine Animal Farms | University of Algarve and Zoomarine, November 2003;
(event description and photographic record missing)
- 33rd Annual Conference of The IAAAM | Montechoro, May 2002;
(event description and photographic record missing)
- 1st Meeting of the AIZA – Iberian Association of Zoos and Aquariums | Zoomarine, June 2001;
(event description and photographic record missing)
- 1st Symposium on Pathology and Rehabilitation of Marine Mammals | Zoomarine, March 2001;
(event description and photographic record missing)
- 1st Educational Workshop | Zoomarine, March 2000;
(event description and photographic record missing)
- 27th Annual Symposium of IMATA | Montechoro, October 1998;
(event description and photographic record missing)
- 4th Biological Sonar Conference | Carvoeiro, May 1998;
(event description and photographic record missing)
- 5th Marine Mammal Medical Workshop | Zoomarine and Montechoro, March 1996;
(event description and photographic record missing)
- 24th Symposium of the EAAM – European Association for Aquatic Mammals | Montechoro, March 1996.
(event description and photographic record missing)
Zoomarine's contribution to science: scientific articles
Zoomarine’s daily commitment to research and knowledge sharing has enabled it to develop and participate in national and international scientific studies, published in renowned scientific journals.
Consult the publications and learn more
2024
- The Effects of Enrichment on Zoo-Housed Scarlet Ibis Behavior READ+
- Psychological Pathways to Ocean Conservation: A Study of Marine Mammal Park Visitors READ+
2023
- Can gender nouns influence the stereotype of Animals? READ+
- Focusing on Social Behaviors: Improving the Perceived Warmth of Sharks in an Aquarium Setting READ+
- Assessing the immediate and longitudinal effects on conservation caring and behaviour intent of a human-dolphin interactive programme READ+
2022
- The Social Representations of Zoo Goers toward Crocodiles and Turtles: Structural Analysis and Implications for Conservation READ+
- The plasma phospholipidome of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is modulated by both sex and developmental stage READ+
- On crocodiles and turtles. Stereotypes, emotional tendencies and implications for conservation READ+
- First Documentation of Exophiala spp. Isolation in Psittaciformes READ+
- Changing trends: Beliefs and attitudes toward sharks and implications for conservation READ+
2021
- Understanding the public attitude towards sharks for improving their conservation READ+
- The use of posaconazole delayed-release tablets in the successful treatment of suspected mucormycosis in a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) calf READ+
- The plasma phospholipidome of Tursiops truncatus: From physiological insight to the design of prospective tools for managed cetacean monitorization READ+
- The effectiveness and efficiency of using normative messages to reduce waste: A real world experiment READ+
- Social representations of sharks, perceived communality, and attitudinal and behavioral tendencies towards their conservation: An exploratory sequential mixed approach READ+
- Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Pinnipeds under Human Care and in Wild Pinnipeds READ+
- Picturing donations: Do images influence conservation fundraising? READ+
- Applying the Stereotype Content Model (SCM) and BIAS Map to Understand Attitudinal and Behavioral Tendencies Toward the Conservation of Sharks READ+
2017
- Whistle Stability and Variation in Captive Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) Recorded in Isolation and Social Contexts READ+
- Dirofilaria immitis in pinnipeds and a new host record READ+
- Attentive tourists: The importance of co-creative experiences
2016
- Training Bottlenose Dolphins to Overcome Avoidance of Environmental Enrichment Objects in Order to Stimulate Play Activities READ+
- Corporate social responsibility in tourism: The case of Zoomarine Algarve
2015
- Reference Baseline Data for Gastric Cytology in Healthy Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) Under Human Care READ+
2014
- Satellite tracking of sea turtles released after prolonged captivity periods READ+
- How full is your luggage? Background knowledge of zoo visitors regarding sharks READ+
2012
- Effects of a dolphin interaction program on children with autism spectrum disorders – an exploratory research READ+
2005
- Hearing measurements from a stranded infant Risso’s dolphin, Grampus griseus READ+
2004
- Prediction from ultrasonographic measurements of the expected delivery date in two species of bottlenosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatus and Tursiops aduncus) READ+
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