In 1988, when I arrived in Portugal, I could hardly imagine the many projects, zoological professionals and non-human specimens I would cross paths, goals and memories over the following decades.

It was, literally, in the past century. In the meantime, the world has changed tremendously…

But so did we! And so did our facilities, our teams, our collections, our families… And so did many national and international legislations. As did the expectations of regulators, partners and the public, regarding the Mission and Standards of our community and of our facilities.

However, for me, several things were as clear, in the late summer of 1988 (when I first arrived in Portugal) as they are now: the Love and the Commitment, as an individual, as a team-player, and as a zoological professional, towards our common History, our specimens, our visitors, our societal values, our zoological goals and, of course, to our colleagues.

Nowadays, as it was in 1988, our Love and Commitment to very high standards in animal husbandry still is the core of Zoomarine’s zoological philosophy. If, in the early 80’s, my team was an international pioneer on voluntary welfare behaviours (with our specimens), 35+ years later we continue to innovate and promote extremely high levels of animal welfare, conditioning and enrichment.

In 2022, as it was in 1988, our Love and Commitment to honour the proud History of our community of husbandry experts, educators, researchers, conservationists, communicators, et cetera, continue to be a daily incentive in our delicious routines. If, in the 80’s, we are following the lead of many extraordinary professionals and facilities, today we are also helping to open many new paths and nurture the ideological awakening and training of new experts and new leaders.

Today, as it was in 1988, our Love and Commitment to the increasingly urgent and crucial values of Science, Conservation, Education towards Sustainability, Awareness and Social Responsibility, among others, never made more sense. If, in the 80’s, we were preparing the inception of our future contributions, three decades later, not only we are very proud of our rehabilitation centre for marine specimens (the first of its kind in Portugal – and, for many years, the only one in the country), but also of ‘Operação Montanha Verde’ (80’000+ trees, planted in 55 hours, since 2016),
‘Operação Praia Limpa’ (tons of rubbish removed from the Ocean, every year, since 2017), and many other very high-profile projects, but also the discreet and extremely laudable projects, among others, in Social Psychology applied to Conservation.

In this new decade, as it was in 1988, our Love and Commitment to the zoological community implies understanding how to better reach the hearts and the motivation of those millions (of all ages, nationalities and academic and cultural backgrounds) who, directly and indirectly, are exposed to our dynamics and values, so that they can be part of the urgent solution that our planet, its many biomes, and so many of its species, so urgently need. If, in the 80’s, we knew that teamwork was fundamental, today we are even more determined to support the role of progressive zoos, knowing how it implies the fast, respectful and efficient integration of the efforts of modern Zoos, NGO, regulators and legislators, journalists, research centres, teachers, students, opinions makers and, of course, the ‘anonymous’ (but non-infrequently highly motivated) visitor.

And his year, as it was in 1988, our Love and Commitment in networking becomes, again, a daily objective. And if, in the 80’s, we were guests of many colleagues (in Europe, Central, South and North America), in 2022 we will be the proud host of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria’s most important annual gathering, an excellent example of networking, and the 16th international technical symposium hosted by Zoomarine, since our opening, on August 3rd, 1991.

By welcoming the attendants of the 2022 Annual Conference of the EAZA, Zoomarine will have, once more, the honourable opportunity to proclaim and showcase our passion for our common international Mission, while celebrating, with so many talented, experienced and committed professionals [who, decade after decade, contribute to the noble dynamics of Conservation, Education for Sustainability, Science, and public awareness)], the notable annual achievements of our community – a community which, being as ‘old’ as Zoomarine, now celebrates its 30th anniversary, knowing it has done an astonishing collective work over the past decades. For that, congratulations, EAZA – and thank you!

We know we still have a lot to do – as the conservation challenges are of paramount urgency… We know our work will never be complete – as the human population (and its growing demands) is reaching 8’000 millions… And we know it will not be (as it never was…) easy. But we are determined to continue our humble contributions, while reenforcing and honouring, as much as possible, the role of progressive zoos.

Today, after 30 years of Zoomarine, 30 years of dreams and hard work, 30 years of planning, investments, managing and trying to inspire (and being inspired), it is time to renew our Love and our Commitment to our specimens, to our goals, to our staff and colleagues, and to our common goals and common dreams. And with EAZA, Zoomarine and Portugal could not be in better company!

Happy Birthday, EAZA. It is a tremendous honour to know that you have chosen to celebrate your 30th anniversary in Albufeira – and more so, as we just celebrated precisely such special milestone.

Welcome to Portugal! Welcome to Zoomarine! May you, during these ‘Portuguese days’, find much happiness, experience memorable undertakings and accumulate plenty of inspiring moments, as our staff and the specimens under our care try, daily, infuse in our colleagues, visitors and friends.

Bem hajam! Obrigado y gracias!

Pedro R. Lavia, Founder and President of the Board
Albufeira, 02 of January, 2022