Eco Park is the newest member of the Latin American Association of Parks, Zoos and Aquariums (ALPZA)

Eco Park, in Foz do Iguaçu, is the newest animal care and protection institution to join the Latin American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (ALPZA). The end of the membership process took place last week (September 9).

By joining ALPZA, the Eco Park is taking another step in its mission to be a national and regional reference in the management of birds of prey and to tell the story of the relationship between human beings and other animals.

Now, within ALPZA, Eco Park's next step is to seek certification from this association. The institution has until November 15, 2025 to begin this process within the organization.

The certification process evaluates 208 points in each member institution, ranging from safety to conservation. This process creates a quality standard for the handling of animals under the care of zoos and aquariums, as well as their employees and visitors. So far in Brazil, only the Parque das Aves, in Foz do Iguaçu, has been certified by ALPZA.

Until then, Eco Park employees will be working a double shift. It will be to maintain the care of the species in the institution, allowing them to thrive, and also to raise the level of this care and the infrastructure.

"The whole team is dedicated to improving management and bringing this recognition to Eco Park," explained Institutional Manager Igor Morais.

There is all this concern because if Eco Park fails to keep up with the evolution of ALPZA's parameters, it will lose its certification and will be expelled from the association in 2026.

ALPZA

ALPZA was founded in 1990 in Caracas, Venezuela. It currently has 58 zoos and aquariums in 19 countries, including Zoo Leipzig and Houston Zoo in Germany and the United States respectively.

There are also six other organizations that represent zoos and aquariums affiliated to ALPZA, such as the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA).

THE ECO PARK

The Eco Park is a space dedicated to telling the story of the relationship between humans and animals. It houses a small farm, the Bird Immersion Aviary and offers visitors twice-daily presentations of Birds of Prey and Criollo Horses.

For a separate ticket, you can take a pedal boat ride on the lake.

Eco Park is located next to the Dreams Park Show Complex on the Cataratas Highway, less than five minutes from the entrance to the National Park. It is open daily from 9am to 5pm.