1980 – 2010

The consolidation of the Zoo

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1980

The Zoo gradually joints international organisations involved in protecting nature, such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the International Union of Zoo Directors.

1983

The Zoo welcomes everyone’s most beloved orca: Ulises, 11 years later its size makes a larger tank necessary and the whale is moved to SeaWorld in San Diego.

1984

The Zoo’s director, Antoni Jonch i Cuspinera, retires and the park breaks its ties with the Municipal Parks and Gardens Service to become a private company. Financial resources are improved and the Zoo sponsorship by private companies formula is implemented.

1988

There is a paradigm shift and a new phase for zoos around the world begins with the creation of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariams (WAZA), an association which stresses the importance of the principles and practices relating to the treatment of animals.

The Barcelona Zoo shares and applies this philosophy and comes to lead the Spanish Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) during this time.

In addition, the Zoo participates in breeding in captivity programmes for red pandas, gorillas and rhinos.

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