ABWAK is managed and run by an elected Council of volunteers in accordance with its Constitution and Byelaws.  All are current zoo professionals and manage their ABWAK responsibilities in their own time.

Council members are elected for a term of 3 years, and are eligible for re-election.

Any Professional Member of the Association can be nominated for Council and all Professional Members may vote in elections. Council members serve as individuals not as representatives of their employing institutions.

ABWAK Council appoints a Chair and other office holders, some of whom form the Executive Committee.