We acquire and transfer out animals under our care through legal, ethical, sustainable, and humane practices:
As part of efforts to responsibly manage animals under our care, animals are selected periodically for relocation to other wildlife institutions, either as part of a managed program or to manage population numbers.
Before any animal is relocated to a receiving party, we will conduct due diligence to ensure the institution meets the requisite standards of ethics, animal care and welfare. This includes possessing the adequate resources to ensure the safety and welfare of the animals, allowing us access to view plans, photographs or conduct onsite visits of the facilities the animals will be held in, and providing additional training for staff that will be involved in caring for the received animal.
The receiving party will also be held to providing ethical treatment such as
positive training reinforcement techniques for the animal. Preference will also be given to institutions that are accredited by at least one main international zoological association.
Animals that are relocated as part of an internationally managed program (i.e. breeding programs) must be approved by the designated species program coordinator prior to move.
In the cases of rescued native wildlife, only those that have been assessed by our veterinary team and the species working group to be fit for release will be considered for release in the wild.
All wildlife releases will be conducted with the permission of and in accordance with the regulations and guidelines set out by AVA and or NParks.
We train our animals using best practice standards in animal welfare:
We prioritise animal welfare and regularly evaluate our animals using science-based methods:
The illegal wildlife trade is driving species to extinction. As an organisation dedicated to the protection of wildlife and their habitats, we do not endorse illegal, unsustainable, or unethical use and trade of wild animal and plant products.
We commit to: