1. We, the South East Asian Zoos Association (SEAZA), are an organisation devoted to the conservation of wildlife, and to the display of wildlife for public education;

2. Believing that every biological species has a right to survival, that humans have an obligation to protect that right, zoos are therefore obliged to educate and motivate the general public to care for wildlife and to help preserve biological diversity;

3. Desiring to carry out this obligation by managing animals under our stewardship and carrying out other animal related activities in conditions that promote their individual wellbeing, genetic diversity of their populations, preservation of their taxa, and conservation of their natural ecosystems;

4. Also desiring to promote cooperation among South East Asian Zoos, and promote professional camaraderie with zoos and other conservation organisations outside South East Asia, in order to facilitate cooperative pursuit of our shared goals of protecting and conserving wildlife for the benefit of humankind;

5. And knowing of the resolution adopted at the inaugural conference of South East Asian Zoos at Zoo Negara, Selangor, Darul Ehsan, Malaysia, July 28-30, 1988, the resolution by the International Zoo Association Workshop in Front Royal, USA, April 25, 1990, and the third conference of South East Asian Zoos held at Bogor, Indonesia, October 22-25, 1990, which founded the South East Asian Zoos Association (SEAZA);

6. We hereby declare the adoption of this amended Constitution joined here with the Bylaws of the South East Asian Zoos Association, last amended in Singapore, on 27 June of 2002, to become the Constitution and Bylaws of the South East Asian Zoos Association.

The name of the association shall be the South East Asian Zoos Association, a non-governmental organisation, hereinafter referred to as “SEAZA”. In this context, “zoos” shall be defined as inclusive of zoological gardens, biological parks, safari parks, public aquariums, bird parks, reptile parks, insectariums, and other collections of wildlife primarily for public exhibition, education, scientific and conservation purposes.

SEAZA’s purpose is to enhance the capabilities of South East Asian zoos to conserve wildlife, provide education and quality leisure and recreational activities for the public, and to improve the standard, status, and public image of zoos in South East Asia. SEAZA has several objectives, the pursuit of which will help to accomplish its purpose. These objectives are:

• a. To exhibit animals in ways that will educate the general public, at the same time provide quality leisure and recreational activities that will foster in them respect and empathy towards animals and natural ecosystems;
• b. To conduct research into the biology and behaviour of species in our care, especially if it will contribute to our ultimate goals of conservation and education;
• c. To optimize the reproduction and genetic diversity of populations of species in our care, including serving as gene banks for endangered taxa, available to genetically enhance wild populations when necessary;
• d. To serve as reproductive sanctuaries for species that are so threatened or endangered in their natural habitats that our intervention is required to help prevent their extinction.
• e. To promote camaraderie and cooperation amongst South East Asian Zoos;
• f. To provide a forum in which members can exchange information, share expertise, and co-ordinate activities of common interest;
• g. To encourage and assist in the development of educational programs aimed at improving conservation consciousness of zoo visitors;
• h. To encourage conservation-oriented ex-situ, breeding programs;
• i. To support in-situ wildlife management and research programs, and promote their integration with ex-situ programs in SEAZA institutions;
• j. To promote wildlife-based domestic and international tourism to in-situ and ex-situ conservation sites.
  

In pursuance of the objectives mentioned above, SEAZA shall initiate and / or undertake activities that include, but are not limited to, the following:

• a. Organise conferences / seminars / workshops to exchange information and discuss matters of common interest;
• b. Conduct inter-zoo training in any and all aspects of zoo and animal management;
• c. Undertake conservation breeding programs on the basis of regional studbooks and animal exchange programs;
• d. Exchange published information, i.e. newsletters, annual reports, surplus lists and others;
• e. Coordinate with and support in-situ conservation and management programs, particularly those dealing with threatened or endangered species endemic to South East Asia.
  

a. All members shall comply with the Constitution and Bylaws of SEAZA;

b. Members shall undertake to:

i. Maintain a high standard of animal husbandry with a professional staff including a strong program of veterinary medical care at both preventive and curative levels;

ii. Participate in coordinated species management programs at national and / or international levels;

iii. Abide by the SEAZA policy on acquisition and disposal of zoo animals.

The structure of SEAZA shall be:

a. The General Assembly (described immediately below, in Article VI of the Constitution) and

b. The Executive Board (described In Article I of the Bylaws).

a. The General Assembly shall comprise the delegations of all members of SEAZA, and shall convene at intervals of not exceeding three years;

b. If a national zoological association or organisation exists in a member country, it shall have one vote. In the absence of such a national association or organisation, the zoos in the particular member-country should undertake to agree on one representative who shall vote on their behalf;

c. At least three months notice shall be given in writing before the meeting of the next General Assembly together with a provisional agenda;

d. A quorum for a General Assembly shall be a simple majority of the eligible voting members present (as defined in Article III Section 1, and Article V, Sections 2 and 3 of the SEAZA Bylaws);

e. Issues discussed and decisions made at meetings of the General Assembly shall be recorded in the Conference Communiqué.