Woburn Safari Park received one of the top awards from the zoo world last night, following a prestigious awards ceremony held at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, Devon, attended by some 100 people.

Woburn Safari Park was commended in recognition for its pioneering work in Animal Husbandry and Welfare. A certificate was presented to Adam Kenyon by Adrian Sanders, MP.

This award particularly highlights the Zoo’s efforts in taking significant steps in trying to achieve the highest standard of husbandry and welfare within its elephant herd. The Zoo was one of 12 winners chosen from 74 entries.

In addition, Woburn Safari Park also achieved a commendation in the Best Enclosure Category for its Asian Elephant Conservation Centre: for building the centre around the needs of the elephants. Held annually for over a decade, the BIAZA awards recognise outstanding contributions and achievements in the fields of wildlife conservation, advances in animal welfare and husbandry, marketing, PR, education, research, and enclosure design.

Dr Miranda Stevenson, Director of BIAZA said: “The award-winning programmes showcased today demonstrate the huge investment of energy and resources made by our leading zoos to improve animal welfare and raise environmental awareness.

“These awards recognise and celebrate the vital contributions that our members are making to conservation and education each year. Equally, they are standard bearers for excellence in animal husbandry and welfare. We congratulate all the winners on their achievement.”