Ep29 Nicolas de Graaff on using the Five Domain Model in ZAA accreditation and the importance of asking questions

Nicolas de Graaff has worked in the zoo industry for over 20 years and now he is the Accreditation Manager with the Zoo and Aquarium Association in Australia.

In this episode, Nicolas shares how he got started in the zoo field and how he came to the ZAA position, by being always flexible, open-minded, and working with his passion, joy, and commitment.

Nicolas brings to mind two rewarding and achieving histories about primates and recalls how all the experiences are a good way to learn from each other and together improve.

Nicolas introduces us to the implementation of animal welfare and legislation in Australia and New Zealand. He talks about his work facilitating the development and implementation of the ZAA Accreditation Program, which is primarily focused on the promotion of ‘positive’ welfare and based on the Five Domains Model. 

Nicolas presents the ZAA Accreditation program talking about the animal welfare assessments applying the Five Domains Model, details of the assessment, approach, and focus, and how ZAA supports their members through workshops, training, etc.

Sabrina and Nicolas discuss the importance of asking questions, working in collaboration with others, and being supportive.

Nicolas concludes the podcast with two successful and important stories that were possible just asking questions and highlighting that we should not only focus on what the standard of the environment should be but mainly focus on the experience the animal is having.

Learn more about Nicolas Graaff role in ZAA HERE

Learn more about the Animal Welfare work done in ZAA HERE

Listen on your favourite player or directly HERE

Become a member of PAWS now HERE