Progressive animal welfare at ZAA-accredited zoos

Our conservation purpose must be underpinned by a high standard of welfare for all animals in our care. We have a progressive, science-based approach to animal welfare, enabling us to stay current and keep advancing as more is learnt about animal welfare through research.

Our aim is to care for animals who thrive rather than simply survive. In 2019 member zoos engaged with ZAA accreditation for animal welfare and made changes and upgrades to continue their journey of pursuing progressively higher standards.

Although only a small facility, Brooklands Zoo in New Zealand packed in a lot of exciting projects this year, starting with their accreditation for positive animal welfare in February. Later in June, the zoo hosted the ZAA NZ Workshops 2019 in New Plymouth – a big undertaking to share knowledge and learnings as well as develop actions plans on key New Zealand initiatives. They finished up the year with the keeper staff progressing their animal training goals to provide even better care for their animals. 

Training for animal welfare at Brooklands Zoo

Bunbury Animal Care Facility with upgraded quarantine, isolation and food preparation areas

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo staff doggos in the office for "bring your dog to work day"

Leading by example and confirming that smaller operations are capable of big things, in 2019 the Bunbury Wildlife Park became the first ZAA accredited zoo in the South West region of Western Australia.

To support the commitment, the Bunbury Wildlife Park hit a milestone with the construction of a new Animal Care Facility with upgraded quarantine, isolation and food preparation areas.

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo upgraded their koala facilities to provide enhanced animal welfare and a better visitor encounter experience. They also celebrated the creation of new macropod (wallabies, kangaroos etc.) facilities. Training and conditioning of the Saltwater crocodile to allow pool cleaning and conditioning of kangaroos for hand injection for vet procedures were animal welfare training successes for the year.

They also did their bit for the human welfare at the zoo with ‘bring your dog to work day’ being a great success for team engagement and happiness. Staff also had access to up to three days of conservation leave for support for wildlife rehabilitation, beach clean-up, bush regeneration and planting and support for the WILD LIFE Conservation Fund initiatives.