Wellington Zoo welcomes conservation superstar

Daniela Biaggio is Wellington Zoo’s new Conservation Manager – a brand new full-time role created to integrate conservation and sustainability across all areas of the Zoo. This role is critical to expand the conservation and sustainability work of the Zoo.

“Daniela has done some amazing conservation work around the world, and I’m thrilled to welcome her to Wellington Zoo,” said Amy Hughes, Group Manager Community Engagement.

“Her role is a very important one – every single animal at Wellington Zoo is here for a reason that relates back to conservation, and she’ll be looking at how we communicate that message with our visitors and wider community.”

“She’ll also be working with Wellington Zoo’s local and international conservation partners, such as 21st Century Tiger, Free the Bears, Kea Conservation Trust and Places for Penguins – and creating new connections.”

Daniela grew up in Argentina and Brazil. She is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese and English, and speaks some Swahili.

“I’ve always been passionate about conservation and the environment,” said Daniela, who studied Biology at Bryn Mawr College in the United States, and completed her MSc in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at theUniversity of Toronto.

She has since worked on conservation projects in Tanzania, London and Bangladesh.

“A highlight was working on the EDGE of Existence programme – a global conservation initiative that highlights one-of–a-kind species that are on the verge of extinction.”

“Working with WildTeam in Bangladesh was another fantastic experience. They‘re doing a great job of reconnecting local communities with the wildlife around them – in particular the large Bengal tiger population in the Sundarbans.”

Daniela came to New Zealand in late 2013, and is excited about her new role at Wellington Zoo.

“I love the culture here. Wellington Zoo is a place of passion and positive energy, and the people who work here have a very optimistic ‘love, not loss’ attitude towards conservation – which in my opinion is the best message to preach.”

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