The Two Oceans Aquarium is a proud founder member of the African Association for Wildlife in Human Care

The Two Oceans Aquarium is a proud founder member of the newly formed African Association for Wildlife in Human Care (AAWHC). This regional association is the professional body for zoos and aquariums in Africa and will ensure that its members follow best practices, achieving international standards of animal husbandry, welfare, ethics, conservation and education through a rigorous accreditation process. The AAWHC, in turn, is now a regional association member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), of which the Aquarium is a long-standing and active institutional member. 

“We are excited about the formation of this new Association and to be founder members alongside other leading conservation facilities such as the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (uShaka Sea World), the National Zoological Gardens, the Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, Cango Wildlife Ranch and Lory Park. As members of AAWHC, we will continue to strive to exceed best practice animal welfare and husbandry standards and to lead in the fields of conservation, education, and research through the work of our Aquarium and Foundation,” said Helen Lockhart, Conservation & Sustainability Manager. “As a global player in the zoo and aquarium world, we will continue to ensure that we are accountable and contribute meaningfully with real impact to the conservation and protection of the ocean and to reducing biodiversity loss in marine ecosystems”. 

AAWHC envisions a future in which all African organisations holding wildlife in human care are accredited, credible, and effective centres of excellence. Its mission is to inspire, guide, and support African zoos, aquariums, and similar facilities in becoming global leaders in animal care — while advancing conservation efforts and fostering public understanding of wildlife and the natural world.

Several Aquarium staff members, including Alichia Nortje (Head of Revenue and Guest Experience) and Helen Lockhart, have been invited to sit on various committees in AAWHC, including marketing, sustainability, and conservation. “Wherever possible, we will lend our expertise to help grow the Association and to help all African zoo and aquarium members to be the best they can be. This is also an opportunity for us to learn from our peers across the continent,” said Lockhart. 

Zoos and aquariums across the globe have evolved, and leading facilities are now are data driven; incorporate the most recent scientific knowledge; contribute to in situ and ex situ conservation projects in different parts of the world to halt species extinctions, reverse declines, restore populations to secure a future for threatened species; rehabilitate and release animals back into the wild; run extensive and impactful education programmes both onsite and offsite; develop and implement society-wide behavioural change campaigns; advocate for policy change at local, national, regional and international levels, and contribute to meaningful research. 

The Two Oceans Aquarium is proud to represent Africa through the AAWHC and to deliver world-class exhibits, education programmes, and conservation and research initiatives which align with global biodiversity frameworks. 

Visit AAWHC’s newly launched website at www.aawhc.co.za to learn more.