Important BIAZA assessment visit to Seaview Wildlife Encounter

Regular Blog-followers may remember an article from earlier this year announcing our acceptance as provisional BIAZA members (British & Irish Association of Zoos & Aquaria). This took place after a visit from Dr Miranda Stevenson and Mr David Field, both from BIAZA (David is also Director of ZSL – London and Whipsnade Zoos). David kindly took on the role of being the Park’s mentor in working towards full BIAZA membership.

Yesterday, six months after the initial visit, David returned to the Park, this time accompanied by Lesley Dickie (Director of EAZA – European Association of Zoos & Aquaria) and Adrian Walls (Manager of Birds London Zoo). The intention of the visit was to assess the Park for full BIAZA status. It seems as though the day went really well and that the recommendation for full status will be made at the next membership meeting to be held in March 2011. It would certainly be a great accolade to coincide with our 40th anniversary year!

Image above from left: David Field, Lesley Dickie and Adrian Walls – taken yesterday, a particularly cold winter’s afternoon at Seaview Wildlife Encounter (29th November 2010).