Dvůr Králové Zoo withdraws from EAZA

The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) has temporarily excluded the Dvůr Králové Zoo from the community, curtailing its membership on the grounds that it was not meeting its commitments in furthering international breeding programmes. EAZA represents more than 300 member institutions in 35 countries. The Zoo responded to the news on Thursday by saying that it was officially ending its membership in the organization. The Zoos director, Dana Holečkova, said EAZA had violated its own statues by curtailing the zoo’s membership. The zoo will now have to return the animals it has on loan for breeding purposes.