Atlantis, Dubai announces today the resort’s membership to the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). This is the global alliance of regional associations and national federations dedicated to the care and conservation of animals and their habitats around the world. In joining WAZA, Atlantis, Dubai has become a member of a 400-stong global community working to support wildlife and improve animal welfare standards.
One of Atlantis, Dubai’s key priorities, and the second pillar of the Atlantis Atlas Project is Marine Conservation and Animal Welfare and in order to protect wildlife globally, collaboration is key. WAZA is the backbone to this collaboration, bringing together world-class zoos and aquariums, associations, as well as leading wildlife experts, academies, and universities, to encourage the highest standards for global animal welfare among its member institutions, while leveraging support for species conservation management.
Tim Kelly, Managing Director & Executive Vice President of Atlantis Dubai, said: “We’re delighted to announce our membership to the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and join the global community of modern and progressive organisations that are actively working to protect wildlife globally. Atlantis, Dubai is home to a dedicated expert animal care team, who work around the clock to maintain our high animal welfare standards, deliver world-class education programmes to guests and visitors, and support marine conservation. Achieving WAZA membership further highlights our commitment to sustainability and to doing business in ways that protect both people and planet, through the Atlantis Atlas Project.”
Since receiving accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) last year, Atlantis, Dubai has led a varied programme of initiatives supporting and driving education around marine species and conservation. On the UN World Oceans Day 2021, the destination resort launched the Atlantis Atlas Project, cementing the resort’s commitment to doing business in ways that are good for both people and planet. As part of its strategy to give back to the local community as well as contribute to global marine conservation, Atlantis, Dubai announced that for every marine experience booked, 1 USD would be donated to conservation, sustainability, and environmental education initiatives, to be selected twice annually and make a measurable impact to the natural world.
In addition, in February 2021, the resort launched its popular marine education programmes, including the Mini, Junior and Master Marine Biologist programmes, through which younger guests aged from 3-16 can experience a day in the life of a marine biologist, learning about species and habitats, animal behaviours and their care and wellbeing, and develop a passion to protect oceans and all marine life.
In the past year, Atlantis, Dubai’s successful shark and ray breeding and release programme has also supported the release of Arabian carpetsharks back into Arabian Gulf waters, boosting local wild populations. Atlantis, Dubai has also partnered with Zayed University, and founder and director of the UAE Dolphin Project Initiative, to support the Dubai Dolphin Survey 2021-22, a project which aims to gather scientific baseline information about the local dolphin population off the coast of Dubai.
Designed to drive sustainability not just within Atlantis Dubai, but across the industry, in the region and beyond, Atlantis Atlas Project has a long-term roadmap for sustainable, responsible tourism. Initiatives including beach clean-ups, mangrove tree plantings, and CSR activities are planned to continue supporting people and planet throughout the remainder of 2021 and beyond as Atlantis, Dubai continues forward on its journey to becoming a sustainable tourism business.
For more information on the Atlantis Atlas Project, please visit:https://www.atlantis.com/dubai/sustainability/atlantis-atlas-project
