Brasov Zoo is the only zoo in Romania with full European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) membership and, alongside Athens and Zagreb, one of only three full members in the Balkan Peninsula, the Brasov City Hall announced Monday in a press release.
The decision was made by EAZA last month, with the official certificate confirming full membership presented to Brasov Zoo on Monday.
The accreditation process began in 2012, when the zoo was temporarily closed for extensive expansion and modernization. Its total area grew from four to ten hectares, and all animal enclosures were enlarged, refurbished, and upgraded.
Reopened to the public in 2014, Brasov Zoo broadened its mission, becoming not just a recreational space but also a centre for education, conservation, and research, with educational programmes for students and public events.
In October 2023, the zoo received temporary EAZA membership, undergoing an additional monitoring period successfully completed this year.
"Over this entire period, we went through multiple evaluations and stages. In 2019 we had a pre-assessment to identify what remained to be done. In 2023 we received the final inspection and temporary membership, followed by two more years of checks. Recently, at the European Association of Zoos meeting in Poland, we received full permanent membership," said Brasov Zoo director Alin Pinzaru.
During this time, the zoo's collection has expanded to include rare and valuable species such as snow leopards, red pandas, sea lions, seals, and penguins, some of which are unique in Romania.
Vice-Mayor Dan Ghita highlighted that full EAZA membership will make it easier to bring in new exotic species.
"This is an important moment and recognition of our efforts, especially as we are Romania's only full EAZA member. The zoos in Targu Mures and Sibiu currently have candidate status, even though Targu Mures applied around the same time as us. We are definitely on the right track, having combined excellent animal care with the public's desire to continue visiting the zoo. In the coming period, we plan to bring other interesting, beautiful, exotic species. Being a member of this European association makes that much easier," pointed out Vice-Mayor Ghita.
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