AZA CEO Daniel Ashe's leadership has been criticized for pursuing an appeasement strategy towards organizations that seek to eliminate zoos and aquariums.
Ashe's approach involves legitimizing anti-zoo movements by allowing them platforms at AZA events, despite their goal of shutting down zoos.
His involvement in a Swaziland elephant import article backfired, leading to negative portrayals of zoos and the transfer program.
Ashe's connection with PETA, a group that litigated against elephant transfers, exposes his strategic blindness.
The consequence of Ashe's appeasement strategy includes harm to AZA members, their facilities, and their conservation efforts.
His actions not only weaken the industry's position in public debates but also threaten the conservation mission of accredited zoos.
The comparison to Neville Chamberlain highlights Ashe's misunderstanding of dealing with ideological opposition.
The article argues that professional associations like AZA should advance their members' interests, not legitimize those seeking to harm their work.
Ashe is urged to abandon his appeasement strategy or AZA to seek new leadership to avoid further damaging the organization and its members.