I think AZA is essential to the operation of zoos in a professional and ethical fashion. I think, that the zoo world speaking globally is, unfortunate in that it does not have an association with the kind of strength AZA has. The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums is doing its best to get there and very seriously working on the problem, but getting people who have very different attitudes and very different political problems to all agree on the same code of ethics, the same species management programs is going to be a long process. Going from international to local. In may of 1971, the New York Zoo Society hosted a AZA meeting, an event known as Bronx Day that featured the secretary general of the United nations and president emeritus of Rockefeller University. What happened that turned what should have been a very festive event into a minor riot by residents of the Bronx and caused a special visit from the IUCN.
