PRESS RELEASE

2001/01

 

October 19, 2001

 

EMBARGO – 0001hrs, OCTOBER 22, 2001

 

UNIQUE HONOUR FOR UK WILDLIFE CHARITY

 

The Wildlife Information Network (WIN™), a UK-based charity dedicated to improving the care, treatment and conservation of wild animals worldwide, is the first independent organisation in the world to be elected an Affiliate Member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

 

Led by chief executive veterinarian Suzanne Boardman, WIN creates interactive compendiums of veterinary knowledge and information and makes them available to all interested parties.

 

Announcing the election today (October 22, 2001) at the 56th annual conference of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums in Perth, WA, the president of WAZA Willie Labuschagne said: “I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate you on this incredible achievement. WAZA has been in existence for 56 years. Membership can be obtained by invitation only and a very strict screening process precedes the final election.

 

“The positive response to your election is a credit to the respect that your organisation enjoys in the WAZA membership.”

 

Mrs Boardman said: “This is an accreditation beyond my dreams. It is a huge honour – especially for a small organisation. The WAZA has been a great influence on the development of WIN and has always been a source of inspiration. We now look forward to working with the members of WAZA throughout the world to improve the health and conservation of wild animals.”

 

ends

 

For further information, please contact Lindy Margach of Woodcote Communications, telephone 020 8660 4168, email mail@woodcote-communications.co.uk.

 

Colour photographs (jpeg format) of Suzanne and Iain Boardman leaving for Perth are available by email on request (see over).

 

 

 

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1                    The Wildlife Information Network was set up 10 years ago by Yorkshire-born Suzanne Boardman, a veterinarian at London Zoo who was receiving requests for information and technical support from all corners of the globe. The information existed, but was fragmented and, in emerging countries, very difficult to obtain. WIN was inaugurated as a paper network of newsletters and collated information. It became a registered charity (No. 1048059) in 1995.

2                    The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums was formerly known as the International Union of Directors of Zoological Gardens.

3                    Willie Labuschagne is Director of the National Zoological Garden of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.

4                    WAZA promotes effective stewardship of the natural world by encouraging its members to bring people close to living animals, applying and advancing conservation, science and education, and setting standards of excellence in animal welfare and environmental responsibilities.

 

Suzanne Boardman
 

 

Iain and Suzanne Boardman depart GNER York Station en route for Perth, WA.