Chimpanzees fishing for termites with long sticks, elephants playing and socialising with their friends and family members in a pool, or a monitor lizard climbing to catch insects in a special high up feeder are interesting and wonderful activities to watch. Promoting optimal animal welfare and predominantly positive experiences 24/7 across an animal’s lifespan is one of the core responsibilities of accredited zoos and aquariums today.
Caring for Wildlife, a WAZA Animal Welfare Strategy, offers guidance on topics like assessment and monitoring of animal welfare, environmental enrichment, exhibit design, research, engagement and interaction with visitors. As animal welfare coordinator for WAZA, I work with members and external experts on matters related to animal welfare.
Where possible we also reach out to non-WAZA members to offer welfare support and advice. The expression “a rising tide lifts all boats” underscores one of WAZA’s objectives, which is to collaborate with others in our shared commitment to maintain, improve and actively encourage optimal animal welfare in all facilities housing wild animals.
Animals should be provided with opportunities for choice and control through a stimulating and complex environment and enriching activities. Different climate zones and views, the ability to retreat from a group, having to solve a puzzle to access that valued nut – these are ways zoos not only engage animals, but also the visiting public. By engaging the public through activities – and seeing happy animals – zoos hope to promote human behaviour change, caring for animals, nature and the planet.
Sabrina Brando, Animal welfare coordinator, WAZA
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
People profile: Damien Hirst
Turner Prize-winning artist Damien Hirst exhibits a series of spot paintings and huge sculptures at a Norfolk stately home
People profile: Penka Kouneva
Movie and video game composer Penka Kouneva moves into the world of attractions with the Heroes and Legends exhibit and VR installations
Industry Opinion: Zoos & Aquariums
WAZA’s Sabrina Brando on providing animals with opportunities for choices, stimulating environments and enriching activities
Interview: Sultan Al Dhaheri
With the launch of Warner Bros World and
the Louvre in Abu Dhabi, the Department
of Culture and Tourism’s Sultan Al Dhaheri
explains how investing in attractions is
helping the emirate meet its tourism goals
Animal sanctuaries: Paws for Thought
The UK’s Big Cat Sanctuary is the subject
of a recent BBC documentary. Managing
director Giles Clark explains how the
facility works – and introduces Maya
the jaguar and Willow the cheetah
Science Centres: Getting Engaged
Researchers Dr Amy Seakins and
Dr Heather King explain how science
capital empowers science centres
to engage wider audiences in STEM,
plus European initiatives in action
Digital art: Light Fantastic
Tokyo-based digital art collective teamLab is
on a mission to change the way we interact
with and experience art. Magali Robathan
reports on the group’s installation work
and their upcoming museum launch
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
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UK Spa Association
Our mission is to raise awareness of our industry within schools, colleges, society and crucially at [more...]
Lovinfit Group
Lovinfit Group was founded in Parma, Italy in 2016 by a team of doctors, wellness and sports profess [more...]
Chimpanzees fishing for termites with long sticks, elephants playing and socialising with their friends and family members in a pool, or a monitor lizard climbing to catch insects in a special high up feeder are interesting and wonderful activities to watch. Promoting optimal animal welfare and predominantly positive experiences 24/7 across an animal’s lifespan is one of the core responsibilities of accredited zoos and aquariums today.
Caring for Wildlife, a WAZA Animal Welfare Strategy, offers guidance on topics like assessment and monitoring of animal welfare, environmental enrichment, exhibit design, research, engagement and interaction with visitors. As animal welfare coordinator for WAZA, I work with members and external experts on matters related to animal welfare.
Where possible we also reach out to non-WAZA members to offer welfare support and advice. The expression “a rising tide lifts all boats” underscores one of WAZA’s objectives, which is to collaborate with others in our shared commitment to maintain, improve and actively encourage optimal animal welfare in all facilities housing wild animals.
Animals should be provided with opportunities for choice and control through a stimulating and complex environment and enriching activities. Different climate zones and views, the ability to retreat from a group, having to solve a puzzle to access that valued nut – these are ways zoos not only engage animals, but also the visiting public. By engaging the public through activities – and seeing happy animals – zoos hope to promote human behaviour change, caring for animals, nature and the planet.
Sabrina Brando, Animal welfare coordinator, WAZA
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
People profile: Damien Hirst
Turner Prize-winning artist Damien Hirst exhibits a series of spot paintings and huge sculptures at a Norfolk stately home
People profile: Penka Kouneva
Movie and video game composer Penka Kouneva moves into the world of attractions with the Heroes and Legends exhibit and VR installations
Industry Opinion: Zoos & Aquariums
WAZA’s Sabrina Brando on providing animals with opportunities for choices, stimulating environments and enriching activities
Interview: Sultan Al Dhaheri
With the launch of Warner Bros World and
the Louvre in Abu Dhabi, the Department
of Culture and Tourism’s Sultan Al Dhaheri
explains how investing in attractions is
helping the emirate meet its tourism goals
Animal sanctuaries: Paws for Thought
The UK’s Big Cat Sanctuary is the subject
of a recent BBC documentary. Managing
director Giles Clark explains how the
facility works – and introduces Maya
the jaguar and Willow the cheetah
Science Centres: Getting Engaged
Researchers Dr Amy Seakins and
Dr Heather King explain how science
capital empowers science centres
to engage wider audiences in STEM,
plus European initiatives in action
Digital art: Light Fantastic
Tokyo-based digital art collective teamLab is
on a mission to change the way we interact
with and experience art. Magali Robathan
reports on the group’s installation work
and their upcoming museum launch
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of
Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los
Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day
(GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in
alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the 2026 event in
Phuket, Thailand, later this year with the theme: The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness.
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a
series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing.
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
UK Spa Association Our mission is to raise awareness of our industry within schools, colleges, society and crucially at [more...]
