The Minister of the Environment, Cristina Narbona, presented this morning the book “The zoo, a new ally of biodiversity”, published by the Biodiversity Foundation. During this event, Cristina Narbona was accompanied by the director of the Biodiversity Foundation, María Artola, the vice-president of the Iberian Association of Zoos and Aquariums, AIZA, Agustín López, and the co-author of this publication, Federico Guillén-Salazar.

“The zoo, a new ally of biodiversity. Guide for the application of Law 31/2003 on the Conservation of Wildlife in Zoos” is an informative document on the role of zoos in the conservation of biodiversity and is one of the initiatives promoted by the Ministry of the Environment to promote knowledge of the regulations that regulate these facilities and facilitate compliance with them by the Administrations that hold the competences.

Directive 1999/22/EC on the keeping of wild animals in zoos is the Community regulation that establishes the conditions of animal welfare and safety of the public in these facilities and, in particular, requires zoos to take specific actions in the field of ex situ conservation. Law 31/2003, on the conservation of wildlife in zoos, incorporated this directive into Spanish law. Its application is the responsibility of the Autonomous Communities, but since 2004 the Ministry of the Environment has maintained a work programme to coordinate, inform, disseminate and support its proper compliance through a working group with the Autonomous Communities, the informative publication of the law, studies, the framework agreement with AIZA that was signed today, technical seminars and other actions.

The book presented today by Cristina Narbona inaugurates the new line of publications of the Biodiversity Foundation. In addition, it is part of a programme of activities of the Ministry of the Environment, launched by the Directorate General for Biodiversity in 2006, aimed at supporting and stimulating the involvement of zoos in the protection of wildlife, as well as their participation in educating the public about the importance of conserving biodiversity.

The entities that have collaborated in the production of this book intend that it be of public utility and a reference document, both for the owners and employees of zoos, and for the authorities responsible for monitoring compliance with Law 31/2003 on the Conservation of Wildlife in Zoos. and the autonomous communities. The Iberian Association of Zoos and Aquariums, AIZA, representing the private sector, and ANDA/Eurogroup for Animals, on behalf of non-governmental organisations interested in animal protection, have participated in the preparation of this publication.

With these actions, the Ministry of the Environment seeks to promote the participation of the agents involved in all these actions to ensure effective compliance with the standard and, therefore, the achievement of its objectives.