| The standards set forth herewith are SEAZA professional standards and do not exclude the exercise of sound judgment based on training, education and experience and the use of information commonly accepted and used in the captive management of wild animals.
An enclosure occupied by several animals must allow for normal patterns of group behavior. It must be of sufficient size, and the animals in the enclosure must be so managed, as to:
- Avoid undue domination of a herd or group by an individual or individuals
- Avoid persistent and unresolved conflict between herd or group members or between different species in enclosures containing different species
- Allow animals to avoid or withdraw from contact with other animals or people
- Avoid exceeding the maximum carrying capacity of the enclosure
- Prevent an uncontrolled accumulation of parasites and other pathogens
- Encourage and permit exercise and behavioral enrichment
An enclosure must, if possible, include naturalistic furniture and include where appropriate such items as bedding material, branches, burrows, nesting boxes and pools to aid and encourage normal behavior. Aquatic and semi-aquatic animals must be provided with clean water for swimming and semi-aquatic animals must be provided with dry areas for nesting.
Each animal must be exhibited in a naturalistic setting which resembles the animal’s habitat and provides for its behavioral and physical well-being. The display should also provide the means for the enrichment of natural behavioral activities in order to further its welfare, produce a more interesting educational exhibit and aid in the reduction of stereotypical behavior.
Displays must provide recreational and educational opportunities which encourage an increase in public understanding of, and responsibility for, animals and their environment. By the use of attendants, physical barriers or both, protect the animals from abuse and harassment by the viewing public.
Each animal must be provided with shaded, covered or sheltered areas appropriate to protect it from adverse conditions attributable to the climate and any other environmental factor. Each animal must be provided with sufficient space in all directions to enable it to have normal locomotion, to be protected from undue dominance and conflict, and to be provided with its social breeding and husbandry needs.
There must be:
- Adequate, clean and well-maintained toilet facilities
- Adequate shelter and seating
- First aid facilities
- Maps and directional signs showing the location of the animals on display and other visitor facilities
On each animal enclosure, there must be signs and illustrations that enable the visiting public to identify each species in the enclosure and provide information about the animals. The information to be provided should include:
- Population status
- Range and status
- Food
- Physiological, anatomical and behavioral adaptations to their environment
Signs requesting the public to refrain from interfering with and feeding the animals must be conspicuously placed at appropriate places. If rules have been established to be observed by the visiting public, these must also be conspicuously placed at the entrance of the premises.
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Construction of enclosure:
An enclosure must be so constructed that if the visiting public and the animal attendants exercise due care, they are safe and an animal in the enclosure can escape only in circumstances that cannot reasonably be foreseen and guarded against, and the risk of injury to an animal in the enclosure is minimized.
Vegetation or other material in or near an enclosure must be removed or repositioned if it would otherwise assist an animal to escape.
The enclosure in which a digging or burrowing animal is kept must be constructed with a subterranean floor consisting entirely of concrete covered by sufficient soil so that the animal can dig or burrow without escaping. An alternative is to construct an enclosed fence, galvanized metal mesh or concrete extending below ground level to a depth of at least 1 meter and then extended horizontally with the enclosure for at least one meter so that the animal can dig or burrow without escaping.
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Gates, doors and slides:
Gates or doors on the perimeter of an enclosure must open inwards to the enclosure. If an entrance to an enclosure is a safety entrance through successive gates or doors, they must all open inwards towards the enclosure.
A gate, door or slide giving entry to an enclosure must be so designed that an animal within cannot: (a) lift the gate or door off its hinges, (b) lift a slide off its tracks and (c) unfasten security devices such as locks.
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Dangerous animals:
The entrance to an enclosure (other than a reptile pit) in which a dangerous animal is kept must be through a safety entrance of successive gates or doors which are kept locked unless a person is within the enclosure.
If the doors or gates through which such an enclosure is entered are electrically operated, there must also be alternative means by which they may be manually operated without risk to the operator.
The operating position for gates, doors, slides or other means of access must provide safe access and a clear view of the access way and the immediate surrounding area.
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Public barriers:
If direct contact between a dangerous animal and the public is possible, the animal must be separated from the public by a barrier so designed that direct contact with the animal is avoided, and evasion of the barrier (especially children) is made as difficult as is reasonably practicable.
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Warning signs:
If an enclosure contains an animal that is known to be dangerous, or may reasonably be suspected of being dangerous, or is dangerous because it includes an electrified fence, the enclosure must be provided with an adequate number of clearly visible and legible signs giving proper warning of the danger by means of words, symbols (e.g. red circle with slash), or both.
The signs in a drive-through area must warn visitors to the area not to leave their motor vehicle, keep all doors of the motor vehicle locked, and keep all windows and sunroof of the motor vehicle closed. If the motor vehicle becomes immobile, the occupants should be instructed to sound the horn or flash the headlamps and warning lamps and wait for the arrival of a rescue vehicle.
Lighting within indoor animal housing must be adequate for proper cleaning of the housing and for carrying out routine health and hygiene checks.
Indoor housing for an animal must be provided with ventilation that is sufficient to maintain the health of the animal, and is so designed as to minimize undue draught, odors and condensation.
If a diurnal animal is housed indoors, light must be provided in the housing and must be of such quality, intensity and duration as to disturb as little as possible the normal physiological and behavioral patterns of the animal.
Animal food supplies must be stored in facilities in which they are adequately protected against deterioration, mold and contamination.
Toxic substances, dead animals and discarded foodstuff must not be kept in a food storage area.
Frozen food must be stored at a temperature that is not higher than 18 degrees below Celsius.
Utensils and equipment used for the offering of food and drink to animals:
- Must not be used for any other purpose.
- Must be easy to clean and designed to avoid injury to the animals and staff.
- If placed in an enclosure, must be placed in a position such that each animal in the enclosure has easy access to sufficient food and water, and the risk of food contamination from soiling by the animals is minimized.
Arrangements must be made for regular veterinary inspection and care of each animal. Facilities must be provided on the premises for:
- Routine examination of animals in clean and well ventilated surroundings.
- Restraint of animals.
- Administration of general anesthetic.
- Euthanasia of animals which are chronically ill or carriers of deadly and contagious diseases.
- An enclosed treatment area for the care of distressed, sick and injured animals and those recovering from sedation.
Each animal should be offered a balanced diet with a variety of wholesome and palatable food and water in quantities that are sufficient to provide for its good health and normal growth.
Veterinary advice must be obtained and followed in relation to the addition of food supplements to the ordinary diet of animals.
Food must be clean, unspoiled and free from chemical and biological contamination.
Water for animals must be changed daily and not allowed to become stagnant.
High standards of cleanliness must be observed by staff engaged in the preparation of food and drinks for the animals and adequate facilities must be provided for the cleaning of utensils and equipment used.
Utensils and equipment used in preparing and distributing food and drink must be cleaned after use and kept clean when not used.
Food preparation areas must be washed down daily and treated with appropriate disinfectants.
Utensils and other equipment used in preparing the food and drink must not be used for any other purpose.
Provision must be made for the removal and disposal of:
- Animal and food waste.
- Unwholesome food and water.
- Dead animals.
- Introduced rubbish from animal enclosures as often as is necessary to minimize vermin infestation and disease hazards, reduce odor and prevent the ingestion of harmful objects.
Implement an effective and regular program for the control of ectoparasites and vertebrate pests. Enclosures must be so designed as to exclude predators.
All new animals must be kept in quarantine for 60-90 days for initial health screening tests. They can also be kept in isolation for as long as may be necessary to provide for its examination, acclimation and, if necessary, restoration to good health before being placed in the company of other animals.
Unless there are sound reasons not to do so, each animal which dies in captivity or during a release-to-the-wild program must have a post-mortem performed and a cause of death ascertained.
Provision must be made for the handling of a dead animal in a way that minimizes the risk of transmission of infection or disease.
Unless there is an arrangement for a dead animal to be quickly removed to veterinary facilities outside the premises, facilities must be provided on the premises for conducting a post-mortem examination in a safe and hygienic manner. Provision must be made for material to be stored under refrigeration if an immediate post-mortem examination is not possible.
The facilities provided for post-mortem examination must include an efficient drainage system, washable floors and walls, and an examination table. Facilities for taking and preserving specimens should also be provided.
Equipment used for storage of post-mortem material must not be used for any other purpose.
Unless the remains of a dead animal are to be used for scientific or educational purposes, or are offered to and accepted by an approved museum or other approved scientific establishment, they must be discarded off by incineration and if incineration is not possible, by any other method adopted on veterinary advice.
Dead specimens of endangered species should be properly preserved using professional taxidermy techniques and displayed to educate the public on the importance of wildlife and natural history
Contraception may be used wherever there is a need for population management. The possible side effects of both surgical and chemical contraceptives, as well as the negative impact on behavior, should be considered before a final decision to implement contraception is made.
Mutilation of any animal for cosmetic purposes or to change the physical appearance of the animal is not acceptable. Pinioning of birds for educational or management purposes should only be undertaken when no other form of restraint is feasible. The marking of animals for identification should always be carried out under professional supervision in a way that minimizes suffering by the animal.
Whenever it is necessary to euthanize an animal, care must be taken to ensure it is carried out in a way that ensures a quick death without suffering. Euthanasia may be controlled by local customs and laws but should always be used in preference to keeping an animal alive under conditions which do not allow it to experience an appropriate quality of life. Whenever possible a post-mortem examination should be performed and biological material preserved for research and gene conservation
All members will endeavor to ensure that the source of animals is confined to those born in captivity and is best achieved by direct zoo-to-zoo contact. This will not preclude the receipt of animals resulting from confiscation or rescues. It is recognized that there is a legitimate need for conservation breeding programs, education programs or basic biological studies which may result in obtaining animals from the wild. Members must be confident that such acquisitions will not have a deleterious effect upon the wild population
Members will ensure that institutions receiving animals have appropriate facilities to hold the animals and skilled staff that are capable of maintaining the same high standard of husbandry and welfare as required by WZO members. All animals being transferred will be accompanied by appropriate records with details of health, reproductive and genetic status, with behavioral characteristics having been disclosed at the commencement of negotiations. Such records will allow receiving institutions to make appropriate decisions regarding the future management of the animal. All animal transfers should conform to the international standards applicable to the particular species. Where appropriate, animals should be accompanied by qualified staff.
No release-to-the-wild program shall be undertaken without the animals having undergone a thorough veterinary examination to ascertain their fitness for such release. Following release, a thorough monitoring program should be established and maintained. The IUCN/SSC/Reintroduction Species Group guidelines for reintroduction should always be followed.
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