News published: 22 June 2026

On 23 June 2026 from 15:00 – 17:00 CET (14:00-16:00 BST), WAZA and Reverse the Red will host a joint webinar on Biobanking for Species Recovery.

Biobanking is an increasingly important tool in conservation, supporting long-term species recovery through the preservation of genetic material and enabling more resilient, coordinated conservation strategies.

This session will explore its role in strengthening global conservation action and improving outcomes for species recovery. It will highlight the critical importance of biobanking in species recovery, specifically focusing on how these initiatives contribute to the targets set by Target 4 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) (halting species extinction, maintaining genetic diversity, and managing human-wildlife interactions).

Agenda:

• Introduction | Loïs Lelanchon, WAZA
• Providing transformational opportunities for species resilience – Role of the IUCN-SSC Animal Biobanking for Conservation Specialist Group (ABCSG) | Dr. Oliver Ryder, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
• CSS-Biodiversity Banking: Expanding Genetic Diversity Conservation Globally while Empowering National Conservation Priorities | Dr. Katie Heineman, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
• Canada’s Wildlife Cryobank at Toronto Zoo: building a national framework to support the One Plan Approach to Conservation | Dr. Gabriela Mastromonaco, Toronto Zoo
• The EAZA Biobank – a regional collaboration platform for sample management to support research on population management, animal health, and species conservation | Anna Mekarska, EAZA
• The EAZA Cryopreservation Interest Group—advancing cryopreservation practices, shared standards, and bridging gaps between science and conservation | Dr. Sue Walker, Chester Zoo and Dr. Andrew Mooney, Dublin Zoo
• Expanding biobanking initiatives in South America—regional challenges, unique biodiversity needs, and growing networks | Adrián Sestelo, Ecoparque de Buenos Aires
• From Sample to Species Recovery: The Role of Biobanking in Wildlife Conservation | Dr. Oz Pomp, Mandai Wildlife Group
• Seed banking and the vital role of botanic gardens for global plant restoration and genetic preservation | Marcello De Vitis, Botanic Gardens Conservation International
• Q&A Session | Loïs Lelanchon, WAZA