Cango At The Global Table

Posted on Fri October 31, 2025.

Douglas Eriksen, Chief Executive Officer of Cango Wildlife, represented South Africa at the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) 80th Annual Conference in Cali, Colombia, held in celebration of WAZA’s 90th anniversary. The global event brought together nearly 200 zoos, aquariums, NGOs and biodiversity partners from across the world to advance collaboration in conservation, operational excellence and environmental protection.

Hosted by Zoológico de Cali, in what is recognised as the most biodiverse city on Earth per square metre, the conference provided a platform for international leaders to share knowledge, challenges and achievements, and to strengthen coordinated global conservation efforts. Over four days, discussions focused on strengthening biodiversity initiatives, accelerating ecological protection, and shaping the future of responsible animal care through innovation and shared expertise. The programme also featured a special keynote by celebrated anthropologist and author Wade Davis.

Douglas participated in a high-level panel titled “From Fund Raising to Income Diversification: Building Financial Resilience,” alongside Cameron Kerr of Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Lisa Kelley of Saint Louis Zoo in the United States, and Sergio Guerra of Fundación Temaikèn in Argentina. The panel addressed the growing need for financial innovation within modern conservation institutions. Douglas emphasised the importance of diversified revenue structures, technology-driven scale and projection, and the commercialisation of conservation programmes to secure long-term sustainability. He also highlighted the need for a standardised global ecological intelligence dataset to support ethical AI development and ensure that conservation leadership remains central to the responsible adoption of emerging technologies.

Cango Wildlife and its Zindalo conservation ecosystem received strong support from international delegates, with many expressing keen interest in collaborative growth and future partnerships. The response affirmed Cango's strategic direction and solidified its standing among leading modern conservation institutions. As global leaders work to protect biodiversity and strengthen collective action, Cango Wildlife continues to stand proudly as a South African voice in a global movement, contributing innovative thinking and practical leadership to the future of conservation.

 

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