Rachel Léger, Director of the Montréal Biodôme Appointed President Of CAZA

By Nadine Fortin

Montreal, Canada - Rachel Léger, Director of the Montréal Biodôme, is the new President of the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA).The announcement was made at the 33rd CAZA Conference, held in Granby from October 1 to 4.

"The Nature Museums congratulate Ms. Léger on her continued involvement in CAZA and on the many projects conducted in collaboration with our partners," says Charles-Mathieur Brunelle, Director of Montréal's Nature Museums. He added that "the quality of her work has helped establish our institutions' reputation."

Ms. Léger will hold this new position for two years, after which she will be the Past President for a further two years. Ms. Léger has been a member of the CAZA Board of Directors for many years, and served as its Vice-President for the past 12 months.

Ms. Léger holds a Master's in Biology with a specialization in veterinary pathology and microbiology. She has headed up the Biodôme since 2006.
Before that, she was Division Chief, Live Collections from 1990 to 1998, and Division Chief, Live Collections and Research from 1998 to 2006. In fact, she was part of the design team for the Biodôme. Ms. Léger has also been a science commentator for Radio-Canada since 1998, recording more than sixty features on the environment and animal and plant life.

CAZA is a non-profit organization, founded in 1975. It represents and brings together Canada's 25 leading zoos and aquariums. Its purpose is to promote the welfare of zoo and aquarium wildlife, to advance related science and conservation and to foster public engagement in the preservation of our natural heritage.

Further recognition for Rachel Léger
In addition, Ms. Léger, who was born in Caraquet, New Brunswick, is to receive the 2008 Méritas acadien from the Fédération acadienne du Québec.
The award ceremony will be held on October 15.

The Méritas award, created in 1989, is given to an Acadian living in Quebec. Writer Antonine Maillet, former Montréal Mayor Pierre Bourque and Dr. Réjean Thomas are all former award recipients.