RZSS Edinburgh Zoo was presented with three prestigious awards at the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) annual awards ceremony event hosted by The Deep in Hull.

The Zoo received the silver award in the Conservation category for its groundbreaking work reintroducing the critically endangered Partula tree snail into French Polynesia, whilst the Zoo’s contemporary new tiger enclosure – Tiger Tracks – was also recognised, picking up bronze awards in both the Exhibit and Horticulture categories.

Barbara Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), said:

“We were delighted to see RZSS Edinburgh Zoo recognised with a silver and two bronze awards at the prestigious BIAZA Awards ceremony. RZSS has been involved in Partula snail conservation since 1984, and this latest award is real testament to the skill of the team involved and the long-term commitment RZSS has to the species.

“It’s also great to see our visitor favourite Tiger Tracks – the new and improved home for our pair of critically endangered Sumatran tigers at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo – being awarded two bronze medals for Exhibit design and Horticulture.”

Dr Kirsten Pullen, CEO of BIAZA, said, “Our annual awards ceremony recognises excellence in the work being carried out by our zoos and aquariums as well as our associate members. Our community is committed to conservation, education, research, and having the highest levels of animal welfare and this is highlighted by the incredibly high standard of award submissions this year. I am delighted that RZSS Edinburgh Zoo has achieved these awards.”

RZSS Edinburgh Zoo is one of Europe’s leading centres of conservation, education and research. We work collectively with many other zoos and conservation agencies both here in Scotland and in over 20 countries around the world on co-ordinated conservation programmes, to help ensure the survival of many threatened species.