Highland Wildlife Park chief elected to global post
The Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has been elected as vice president of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).
WAZA is the global alliance of regional associations, national federations, zoos and aquariums, dedicated to the care and conservation of animals and their habitats around the world.
The membership consists of nearly 400 leading institutions and organisations around the world.
David Field said: “This is a real honour for me personally and fantastic international recognition for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.
“Last year RZSS launched our new strategy and our vision of a world where nature is protected, valued, and loved.
"As a team, we already work very successfully with people and partners here in Scotland and around the globe.
“Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park are our gateways through which people can experience nature but readers may not be aware that we also manage conservation projects around the world, which includes the release of wildcats in Scotland, giraffe conservation in Uganda and protecting Giant Armadillos and Anteaters in Brazil – to name a few.
“Part of my new role with WAZA will be to support the association to achieve its ambition to keep improving animal care and welfare, environmental education, and conservation globally.”
Mr Field returned to RZSS in 2020 having been a section moderator at Edinburgh Zoo early in his career. His previous roles include chief executive of the Zoological Society of East Anglia, zoological director of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), curator of ZSL Whipsnade Zoo and assistant director of Dublin Zoo.
An honorary professor of the Royal Veterinary College, he has served as chairman of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria (BIAZA) and is the current president of the Association of British and Irish Wild Animal Keepers.
