San Antonio Zoo achieves Humane Certification for animal welfare

American Humane, the country's first national humane organization and the world's largest certifier of animal welfare and well-being, has announced that San Antonio Zoo has achieved certification by the American Humane Conservation program, becoming part of an elite group of only a dozen Humane Certified institutions worldwide.

The American Humane Conservation program is the first certification program singularly dedicated to helping ensure the well-being and humane treatment of animals living in the world’s zoos and aquariums.

The program uses comprehensive, evidence-based welfare standards developed by an independent Scientific Advisory Committee comprised of world-renowned leaders in the fields of animal science, animal behavior, animal ethics and conservation.

“American Humane is thrilled to announce the certification of San Antonio Zoo under the American Humane Conservation program,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane.

“San Antonio Zoo joins an elite group of institutions that have earned the program’s prestigious Humane Certified seal of approval, demonstrating to the public their commitment to meeting the highest standards of humane, verifiable and transparent animal care.”

“We are pleased that American Humane has recognized San Antonio Zoo for our efforts to provide world-class animal care and focus on animal welfare,” said Tim Morrow, CEO and executive director of San Antonio Zoo.

“Our entire zoo crew works tirelessly to provide the absolute best for the animals in our care. The end result is a group of individuals who are both passionate about and committed to securing a future for wildlife. It is our desire to inspire people to take a LEAP for wildlife… to love, engage with, act for, and protect animals and the places they live. This recognition from American Humane lends even more credibility to our efforts.”

The American Humane Conservation program’s rigorous criteria exhaustively verify the many dimensions of animal well-being, with areas of assessment including: excellent health and housing; positive social interactions within groups of animals, as well as between animals and handlers; safe and stimulating environments, enriched with concern for factors such as appropriate lighting, sound levels, air quality and thermoregulation; and evidence of thorough preparation and protocols established to prevent and manage medical or operational emergencies.

For added rigor, San Antonio Zoo’s compliance with the American Humane Conservation standards was verified through a comprehensive, independent audit. You can read more about the American Humane Conservation program at www.humaneconservation.org.

San Antonio Zoo is a nonprofit organization committed to securing a future for wildlife. Through its passion and expertise in animal care, conservation and education, the zoo’s mission is to inspire its community to love, engage with, act for and protect animals and the places they live. The zoo welcomes more than a million visitors each year and is open year-round.

San Antonio Zoo is also accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Zoological Association of America. Learn more at SAZoo.org.

Image via VisitSanAntonio.com