Leeds zoo ranked best in the country after rare animal conservation success
Leeds zoo given official mark of excellence - as its ranked one of the best in the country
Wildlife experts have accredited a Leeds zoo for its work in animal welfare, conservation, education and research.
Lotherton Hall’s Wildlife World received the official mark of excellence after being screened by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums
The accreditation also ranks the zoo as one of the best in the country.
Located in Aberford, it is home to a spectacular variety of wildlife species including wallabies, capybaras, emus, penguins and critically endangered Visayan warty pigs.
The zoo also takes part in international breeding and conservation programmes. In 2025 the staff, through careful management, successfully bred the blue-crowned laughingthrush, a critically endangered bird considered one of the rarest in the world.
Leeds’ Tropical World is also BIAZA accredited after a screening which took place in 2025.
The two zoos are among the first to be accredited in the new BIAZA scheme, whose accreditation process includes screenings by industry experts, questionnaires and plenty of documented evidence. The process goes above and beyond the UK and Ireland’s zoo licensing inspection and marks the extra efforts of good zoos and aquariums in providing the very best in animal care.
Both Tropical World and Wildlife World are preparing to celebrate Love Your Zoo Week, starting next week, when visitors can take part in animal trails and learn all about the animals and how they can help conservation efforts.
Coun Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said: “I’d like to congratulate all the staff at Lotherton Wildlife World on the great work they undertake in making sure that the zoo holds a world class standard. This accreditation shows our high standard of animal care and the passion we have for helping support international conservation efforts.
“At both Wildlife World and Tropical World there’ll be lots going on for Love Your Zoo week, and they both make a great day out for the whole family.”