ACRES has compiled its own set of Acceptable Standards for the Well Being of Zoo Animals which you can read here. When we conduct our Zoo Surveys, we look to see if these standards are being met.

These standards have been based on the following documents, from the zoo industry itself:

  • South East Asian Zoos Association General Standards for Exhibiting Animals.
  • European Association of Zoos and Aquaria Standards for the Accommodation and Care of Animals in Zoos.
  • Secretary of State’s Standards of Modern Zoo Practice. Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. United Kingdom. (Scott et al., 1999).
  • General Standards for Exhibiting Animals in New South Wales. Exhibited Animal Protection Act. New South Wales Agriculture, Australia. (NSW agriculture, 1995b).
  • Policy of Exhibiting Primates in New South Wales. Exhibited Animal Protection Act. New South Wales Agriculture, Australia.
  • Standards for Exhibiting Carnivores in New South Wales. Exhibited Animal Protection Act. New South Wales Agriculture, Australia.

ACRES’ Acceptable Standards for the Well Being of Zoo Animals

Freedom from hunger and thirst

  • Animals should be provided with diversity in the taste, colour, size and nutritional value of the food items fed to them.
  • Food offered should meet the nutritional requirements of the animals.
  • The food should be presented in a manner and frequency similar with the natural behaviour of the animals. It should also be designed to prolong feeding and foraging.
  • Food must be presented in several areas to ensure that all members of the group have sufficient access.
  • The animals must have constant access to fresh water. Water and other drinking receptacles, where used, must be regularly cleaned.
  • There should be sufficient watering points within the enclosure to allow all animals to have access to water.
  • Supplies of food and drink must be stored, prepared and offered to the animals under hygienic conditions.
  • Uncontrolled feeding of the animals by the public must be prevented.

Freedom from thermal and physical discomfort

  • Adequate provision must be made at all times to meet the needs of the animals with regard to temperature, ventilation, lighting, humidity and noise.
  • The animals must have sufficient shelter from rain and sun within the enclosure.
  • The enclosure should provide sufficient space to allow expression of a full range of species-typical behaviours and movements.
  • Resting places and perches sufficient to accommodate all members of the group must be provided.
  • The enclosure must be constructed so that the animals can rest at least two body lengths above the eye level of any member of the viewing public (most species).
  • The floor substrate should be similar to their natural habitats, but must also be effectively managed to avoid disease.
  • The animals should have constant access to an outdoor environment.
  • Enclosures, enclosure structures and enclosure barriers must be in such a condition that there is no likelihood of harm to the animals.
    • Any defects noted in an animal barrier or in any appliances or equipment within the enclosure should be repaired or replaced immediately and noted in the keeper’s daily record sheet.
    • Water-filled moats used for the confinement of animals must be provided with a means of escape back to the exhibit.
  • The enclosure should be hygienic and cleaned regularly, at least once a day where appropriate.
    • Debris (food and faeces), as well as any litter in the enclosure, should be cleared away regularly to avoid any possibility of harm to animals.
  • The enclosure must be well-drained so that all excess water is efficiently removed.

Freedom from injury, disease and pain

  • The animals should be in good physical condition.
  • The zookeepers should spend sufficient time each day (at least twice daily) observing the animals’ physical condition and behaviour.
  • Basic health evaluation of the animals must be carried out at frequent and regular intervals, and at least quarterly, by a qualified veterinarian.
  • Records must be kept of any changes observed in behaviour, feeding, urination and defecation, veterinary or other treatment, or changes in husbandry or diet.
  • Any treatment must be administered so as to create the least disturbance as is practical, and must take into account the disruption to the group and the animal’s position in the dominance hierarchy, as well as the stress to the individual.
  • Preventive veterinary medicine must be in place and functional.
  • The enclosure should be hygienic.
  • The enclosure design should minimise the risk of injury.
  • The enclosure design should ensure that the animals can get away from each other.

Freedom to express normal behaviours

  • The enclosure should provide sufficient space and furniture to allow expression of a full range of species-typical behaviours and movements and minimise any abnormal behaviours.
  • The arrangement of the furniture in the enclosure must be changed regularly.
  • A complex three-dimensional environment should be provided, especially for arboreal animals, and seek to meet biological and behavioural needs of the species.
  • A behavioural enrichment programme, which stimulates all five of the animals’ senses, must be established to provide for the behavioural and psychological needs of all animals in the group.
  • The animals should be kept in an appropriate social grouping.
  • The enclosure design should ensure that the animals can get away from each other.

Freedom from fear and distress

  • The animals must be allowed to retreat from public view whilst in the enclosure.
  • The enclosure must be constructed so that the animals can rest above the eye level of any member of the viewing public. For primates, the animals must be able to rest at least two body lengths above the eye level of any member of the viewing public.
  • The design should ensure that the animals can get away from each other.
  • The enclosure barrier and distance between animals and visitors must be sufficient to effectively prevent contact between the public and the animals.
  • The animals should have constant access to an outdoor environment.
  • The enclosure must allow the expression of normal behaviours.
  • The animals should be kept in an appropriate social grouping.