Association of Zoos and Aquariums and Oakland Zoo announce new Wildlife Confiscations Coordinator in California

Oakland, CA June 25, 2025...The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and Oakland Zoo are pleased to announce the piloting of a new Wildlife Confiscations Coordinator position based at the Oakland Zoo to support the work of AZA’s Wildlife Confiscations Network. The position was created to simplify the process of providing care and placing of animals confiscated from the illegal trade in California, serving as a centralized, statewide point of contact for wildlife law enforcement officers seeking trusted animal care facilities.

“Through the Wildlife Confiscations Network, we've built a coalition of trusted facilities ready to provide expert care for confiscated wildlife in need,” said Dan Ashe, president and CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. "This new position at the Oakland Zoo strengthens that safety net by ensuring not only the immediate rescue and placement of wildlife trafficking victims, but also the lifelong, quality care they deserve, all while enabling California law enforcement to focus their efforts on bringing traffickers to justice.”

After a two-year successful pilot program in Southern California, AZA’s Wildlife Confiscations Network, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has become a proven model for coordinating support for law enforcement agencies tasked with caring for seized wildlife. Since its launch, the Network has assisted with more than 135 wildlife trafficking cases and placed over 4,600 animals into quality care.

To expand this effort and address the specific needs across the state, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has formally partnered with the Network to pilot the California Wildlife Confiscations Coordinator role, strengthening California’s regional response to illegal wildlife trade. This new position will serve as a dedicated point of contact within the AZA Wildlife Confiscations Network, working closely with the Network Coordinator, the USFWS, and the CDFW to achieve the desired outcomes of the broader Network.

“The establishment of this new position streamlines the process for law enforcement, which is often burdened with finding qualified facilities to provide care for these animals,” said Sara Walker, senior advisor on wildlife trafficking at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. “A few of the key benefits to this position are that it allows law enforcement to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of individuals involved in wildlife trafficking, guarantees that the animals health and wellbeing are prioritized after discovery, and ensures that confiscated wildlife will not re-enter the illegal trade.”

Oakland Zoo joined AZA’s Wildlife Confiscations Network in 2024 and has since responded to 15 requests from the Network, including cases involving a marmoset, 60 venomous snakes, spider monkeys, and an 8-month-old tiger cub. The Zoo is the first facility in California to pilot a regional confiscations position. Beyond the Wildlife Confiscations Network, Oakland Zoo has played a crucial role in rescuing and caring for a diverse range of animals, including insects, amphibians, primates, and birds. Since 2021, the Oakland Zoo has received over 100 requests from wildlife agencies, advocacy groups, and animal rescue organizations for assistance with rescue efforts. These efforts aim to support victims of the wildlife pet trade, roadside zoos, and other criminal activities.

“With Oakland Zoo's decade-long history of animal rescue and efforts to end the wildlife trade, it is essential to continually expand the Zoo’s role in combating this tragic industry. We are proud to be part of the Wildlife Confiscations Network, which has united our efforts toward a common mission and offers us a new opportunity to help save more wildlife that are victims of trafficking,” said Nik Dehejia, CEO of Oakland Zoo.

The funding for the position is provided by the CDFW and is focused primarily on requests for triage and temporary holding of trafficked or illegally held animals within the state of California. This role is distinct from the Zoo’s other wildlife rescue programs.

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About AZA

Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science, and recreation. AZA is setting the global gold standard, accrediting 252 of the top zoos, aquariums, and related facilities in 13 countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. To learn more, visit www.aza.org.

About the Oakland Zoo and the Conservation Society of California

Oakland Zoo envisions a flourishing planet where people and wildlife thrive together. The Zoo’s mission is to deepen connections with animals, save wildlife, and inspire champions for the natural world. Oakland Zoo is an accredited Association of Zoos & Aquariums member, managed by the Conservation Society of California, a non-profit organization.

More information on Oakland Zoo's work Taking Action For the End of the Pet Trade, here.