The first significant output of it should be the import of three Indian Lions from Sakkarbaug Zoo (last time these lions were provided for European Endangered Species Programme more than twenty years ago), however, the cooperation will be realized in a lot of areas and on many levels. We consider signing the Memorandum to be a great success, as only two other world zoos have signed a similar agreement, and we thank the Ambassador of Czech Republic to India, Mr. Miloslav Stašek for a significant contribution to this achievement.

Signature of another Memorandum will follow, this time in Gujarat with the Sakkarbaug Zoo.

Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo, Director

About CZA:

Central Zoo Authority (CZA) is an Indian autonomous statutory body, appointed by the Indian Government and supervised by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Its mission is to approve zoological gardens in India, define the minimum standards for housekeeping animals in Indian zoos including veterinary care and evaluate and approve acquisition, exchange and loaning of animals between Indian zoos as well as between Indian and foreign zoos. It identifies endangered species of wild animals for purposes of captive breeding and assigns responsibility in this regard to individual Indian zoos, makes experiences from abroad and international contacts accessible, co-ordinates training of zoo personnel in India and outside India and co-ordinates research and educational programmes in captive breeding. CZA is a member of World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG) and Trustee of International Species Information system (ISIS).