One Planet News: Animal welfare changes for Zoo and Aquariums

Animals to benefit from changes to legislation

Photo by Alan Rodriguez on Unsplash

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Welfare improvements for animals in zoos and aquariums

By Annette J Beveridge

GREATER protections for animals in zoos and aquariums will be incorporated within the next two years, according to the Labour Government.

These are the first changes in more than a decade that consider animal protections, and elephants, birds of prey, fish, as well as rays and octopus will all benefit.

• Elephants will have larger habitats so that they better replicate the territories they would usually inhabit.

• Birds of prey will no longer be tethered for long periods with a move to larger aviary enclosures.

• Visitors will no longer be able to touch fish or cephalopods (rays or octopuses) in aquariums, as they are intelligent animals and handling causes stress.

Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash

Animal Welfare Minister, Baroness Hayman, said: “We are a nation of animal lovers, and our best zoos and aquariums are truly world leaders in setting the standard for how wild animals should be kept.

“Today’s long-overdue reforms lay the foundation for an even stronger, even more compassionate future for all zoos and aquariums - and the animals they protect.  This is the first step as part of our commitment to deliver the most ambitious animal welfare reforms in a generation.

“We’re making sure all sectors have the tools they need to thrive, which is vital in our mission to deliver economic growth and make lives better for people across the country under our Plan for Change.”

Conservation will also be at the heart of change, with clear steps to enforce conservation standards with new requirements for keeping records. Changes will affect breeding programmes for endangered species, animal behaviour research, reproduction and education. There will also be a curb on the outsourcing of animals from the wild.

CEO of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, (BIAZA), representing more than 130 zoos and aquariums, Dr Jo Judge, said: “The new standards are a significant step up in legal requirements and cement Britain’s position as a global leader for zoos and aquariums. BIAZA members already lead the way in animal care and conservation, and we have been working closely with Defra officials to realise these updated standards.

“We are delighted to see them published today, demonstrating the government’s and the sector’s commitment to the highest levels of animal care, and helping empower zoos and aquariums to keep leading the fight for nature.”

Public safety also features in the proposed changes. Appropriate safety measures must be in place if dangerous animals are kept, including double-gated entry systems and lone worker procedures.