Dennis Nagel, an Icon of Change in the UAE

Icons of Change™

Icons of Change International Awards 2026  Dennis Nagel  Strategic Committee Member, IUCN Species Survival Commission  Senior Director of Zoological Operations and Conservation, Miral Experiences  Zoological Director, Zoo & Aquarium Public Institution in Al Ain Former Zoo Development Specialist, Safari World Group  Former Zoo Consultant, International Avian Consulting Former Managing Director, Haldig Garden Breeding and Research Center  Öffentlichkeitsarbeit, Naturhistorisches Museum Braunschweig   SDG Focus: Goal 15: Life on Land   Changemaker for Species Conservation, Animal Welfare and Transformative Zoological Leadership (United Arab Emirates)  __________  A Global Leader in Modern Zoological Conservation  Dennis Nagel is a German biologist, zoological executive and conservation professional whose career spans more than two decades of international experience in zoo design, zoological management, animal welfare, endangered species breeding, conservation planning, organisational transformation and strategic development.  His professional journey reflects the evolution of modern zoological institutions from traditional animal collections into increasingly sophisticated organisations with responsibilities extending across animal welfare, scientific research, species conservation, education, community engagement, operational safety and environmental stewardship.  Today, Nagel serves as Senior Director of Zoological Operations and Conservation at Miral Experiences in the United Arab Emirates and is seconded to the UAE Government as Zoological Director of Al Ain Zoo. In these roles, he is contributing to a major institutional transformation agenda encompassing zoological operations, animal welfare, conservation, safety, organisational culture, people development and facilities.  His leadership is distinguished by the integration of scientific knowledge with strategic management, financial understanding and organisational development.  __________  Transforming Al Ain Zoo  As Zoological Director of Al Ain Zoo, Nagel is entrusted with a broad transformation programme designed to strengthen the institution's zoological and conservation capabilities.  His responsibilities encompass the redevelopment of the Life Sciences Department, advancement of animal welfare and safety, zoological operations, conservation programmes, institutional coordination and engagement with senior government and corporate stakeholders.  His work also includes supporting alignment with international best practices and accreditation standards, including the standards associated with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.  This transformation reflects a wider understanding of what a modern zoological institution can contribute. A leading zoo can serve simultaneously as a centre for professional animal care, conservation breeding, scientific knowledge, public education and collaboration on species recovery.

Transcript

00:01I am Dennis Nagel and I am honored to be recognized with the Icons of Change Award.

00:08Change Management is indeed the cornerstone of my work as Senior Director of Zoological

00:13Operations and Conservation at Miral Experiences and my secondment to the Government of the

00:19UAE as Zoological Director of the National Zoo here in L.A.

00:24We combine the conservation of critically endangered species such as the Dama Gazelle in human care

00:31with conservation work in their natural habitats and reintroduction efforts to strengthen their

00:36populations in the wild.

00:39This work is aligned with the one-plan approach of the IUCN SSC Conservation Planning Specialist

00:46Group of which I am also proud to be a member and it contributes to the Sustainable Development

00:52Goals.

00:53Change Management was also a cornerstone of my work as a zoo consultant in many different

00:59countries and cultures on a mission to make a positive difference for animal welfare, species

01:06conservation and for the people who care for animals and their ecosystems.

01:12Change can be inconvenient and it can be scary but it is necessary for improvement.

01:18It is not easy to initiate change, but once you manage to get it started, it can gather

01:24momentum and inspire further change throughout your organization.

01:29In zoological and conservation institutions, I found that this trigger often lies in the

01:35organizational culture.

01:36Once you change the people's understanding, their mindset and the way they feel about their

01:42work, they will start to drive your organization's impact.

01:46Change management in a zoo often begins in the back of house operations.

01:53Not everyone will see your challenges, not everyone will see your efforts.

01:58So while I don't know who nominated me for this award, I truly appreciate it and I want

02:04to emphasize that I can only drive change because of my esteemed leaders who empower and support

02:10me and my teams who have turned it into reality every day.

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