CODE OF PRACTICE AND ASSOCIATED GUIDELINES Code of Practice As a condition of membership, Full Institutional Members of the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria (ARAZPA):! are licensed zoological parks or aquaria defined as permanent facilities maintaining captive wild animals and providing for the public benefit (hereafter referred to as zoos but encompassing all captive display facilities including zoos, aquaria, fauna parks and wildlife sanctuaries)! comply with all statutory requirements relevant to the operation of a zoological park or aquarium! support the Mission Statement of the Association 1! comply with ARAZPA Animal Management Guidelines for the holding of animals for display purposes 2! comply with the ARAZPA Code of Practice 3 The Code of Practice is intended to maintain a high standard of conduct in Full Institutional Members of ARAZPA, thereby ensuring responsible stewardship of the species entrusted to their care and ensuring their position as leaders in the zoological profession in Australasia. ARAZPA members found to be in breach of the Code of Practice will be dealt with in accordance with the Procedures for Non-compliance, as laid out in the Constitution of ARAZPA. Sanctions include measures up to, and including, expulsion from the Association. Animal Welfare Recognising that the welfare of the animals in their care is of paramount importance, ARAZPA institutions provide for the physical, psychological and physiological needs of their animals by: 1. Complying with (or exceeding) ARAZPA Animal Management Guidelines (where they exist) and legislative standards in animal husbandry. 2. Supporting periodic evaluation of ARAZPA Animal Management Guidelines to continue and accelerate advances in animal care. 1 To promote and maintain professional standards of operation in the zoological industry, and to maximise its collective resources for the conservation of biodiversity. 2 ARAZPA has initiated a process whereby animal management guidelines will be produced through industry consultation. For project details refer to the initial consultation brief titled ARAZPA proposal to develop minimum standards for the holding of animals for display purposes in Australasia. Note that following industry consultation the decision was made to produce animal management guidelines rather than minimum standards. 3 ARAZPA endorses a number of policy statements and guidelines including several produced by the IUCN-World Conservation Union and the World Zoo Organisation and provisions of these documents are reflected in the ARAZPA Code of Practice.
Animal Display Recognising that captive animals are representative of species that exist in the wild as components of complex biological communities, ARAZPA institutions: 3. Incorporate in animal displays, components of the animals natural environment to promote visitor understanding of the species and its environment and to facilitate communication of relevant conservation issues. Conservation Recognising that the plants and animals in their care are representative of species, communities or ecosystems that are often under some form of threat in the wild and acknowledging that zoos have a responsibility to manage their collections as a resource for conservation, ARAZPA institutions: 4. Have, as part of their stated mission, the promotion of efforts to conserve biodiversity. 5. Allocate resources to conservation efforts. 6. Engage the community in conservation issues and projects. 7. Aim to implement practices that are ecologically sustainable (eg. improving energy efficiency, recycling water and/or materials). 8. Regularly evaluate and document conservation efforts to demonstrate their on-going effectiveness and make that information available on request. 9. Where conservation programs involve introduction or reintroduction into the wild or the restocking of wild populations, ensure that the programs comply with the IUCN Position Statement on Translocation of Living Organisms (September 1987) and the IUCN/SSC Reintroduction Specialist Group Guidelines (May 1995) and/or are endorsed by the relevant wildlife management agencies. Education Acknowledging education as an effective tool for conservation and recognising how wellplaced zoos are to use this tool, a highly educational content should be evident throughout zoo operations. Educational tools may include interpretive displays, keeper talks, staff lectures, brochures, fact sheets, formal classes and/or targeted campaigns. ARAZPA institutions: 10. Operate educational programs that stimulate awareness, understanding and involvement with the conservation of biodiversity. 11. Allocate a component of their annual resources to education efforts. 12. Regularly evaluate and document education efforts to demonstrate their on-going effectiveness. Research Recognising the role that the plants and animals in their care could take in furthering scientific knowledge, ARAZPA institutions: 13. Facilitate appropriate biological research on collection plants and animals by suitably qualified researchers. 14. Encourage and support staff to record, publish and present advances in the methodology of the profession. 15. Establish a protocol for approving animal research projects including, where necessary, the use of a recognised ethics committee as defined by relevant animal research legislation.
Animal Breeding Acknowledging responsibility for all animals produced within their collection, ARAZPA institutions: 16. Take action to avoid the production of unwanted 4 animals through unplanned breeding (eg. by employing commonly used techniques such as contraception, neutering and separation of the sexes). Recognising that the World Zoo Conservation Strategy calls on zoos and aquaria to ensure that animals bred in captivity both: - convey an accurate impression of nature and - avoid the genetic impoverishment associated with unnatural selection pressures, ARAZPA institutions: 17. Do not selectively breed wildlife for characteristics not representative of corresponding wild populations, unless it can be demonstrated that the result of such breeding will assist in delivering a positive message about conservation values and the conservation of wildlife. Spaces needed for direct conservation and/or education purposes should not be compromised by such a breeding decision. 18. For program species for which population management is coordinated regionally, select pairings in accordance with the recommendations of the Captive Management Program. Animal Euthanasia Recognising the sensitivity of the issue of animal euthanasia and the need for transparency in the decision-making process, ARAZPA institutions: 19. Comply with the ARAZPA Guidelines on Animal Euthanasia. Animal handling for presentation purposes Acknowledging the potential educational benefits of appropriate animal presentations, ARAZPA institutions: 20. Ensure that animal handling for presentation purposes is done in a way that does not compromise the welfare of the animal or the safety of the handler. 21. Ensure that all presentations engender positive and respectful attitudes towards the animal and the species. 22. Ensure that presentations convey education and/or conservation messages. Regional Collection Planning and Species Management Recognising the benefits of both a strategic and collaborative approach to the development and management of their animal collections, ARAZPA institutions: 23. Comply with the ARAZPA Guidelines on Regional Collection Planning and Species Management. In particular, ARAZPA institutions acknowledge that, on leaving the Association, the placement of animals of Program Species acquired while a member of the Association, will be subject to ASMP recommendations. Animal Transaction Recognising the need to ensure an ethical, professional and transparent approach to all animal exchanges, ARAZPA institutions: 4 Animals not planned to be held in the breeding institutions, and for which there is no reliable demand elsewhere.
24. Comply with the ARAZPA Guidelines on Animal Transactions. Record Keeping Recognising the need to ensure that animal records are thorough, in a standardised format and transferable, ARAZPA institutions: 25. Comply with the ARAZPA Guidelines on Animal Records Keeping. Staff Training Acknowledging, the many specialised tasks undertaken in the effective operation of the facility and the need for well trained staff, ARAZPA institutions: 26. Provide access to training and development opportunities needed for staff to fulfil their defined responsibilities. Human Safety Recognising the uniqueness of zoos in holding a diversity of species, including potentially dangerous animals, due attention must be given to the health and safety of staff and visitors. ARAZPA institutions: 27. Along with complying with all statutory requirements, make continued efforts to resolve any potential threats to the safety of staff or visitors. Marketing and Publicity Acknowledging that the way animals are portrayed by the media can impact on public perception of the animals, ARAZPA institutions: 28. Where zoo animals are used in a zoo marketing campaign, or are made available for use by advertisers, ensure that the welfare of the animal used is at no time compromised, and that a positive and respectful image of the animal(s) is projected. Acknowledging the benefits of collaborative efforts and recognising the value in their promotion, ARAZPA institutions: 29. Ensure that publicity resulting from cooperative efforts includes recognition of the contributions of other parties. Visitor Services Recognising that the total experience of visitors flavours their view of the organisation (and potentially of all captive facilities) and aiming to provide as enriching an experience as possible, ARAZPA institutions: 30. Provide appropriate visitor amenities. Information Exchange 31. Never knowingly misinform the receiving party regarding records or other information relating to any animal, item or goods. Dated: March 2001
Guidelines for Animal Euthanasia This document is an attachment to, and should be read in conjunction with, the ARAZPA Code of Practice. Recognising the sensitivity of the issue of animal euthanasia and the need for transparency in the decision-making process, ARAZPA institutions should: 1. Implement an institutional euthanasia policy that details the circumstances under which euthanasia can be employed, the procedures to be followed and the alternatives to be explored. Circumstances where euthanasia may be considered appropriate are 5 :! Where an animal is suffering due to disease, disability, injury or age-related factors 6 and the condition cannot be corrected or alleviated to an extent that ensures a reasonable quality of life! Where an animal has suffered due to disease, disability, injury or age-related factors and the condition has been corrected or alleviated but not to the extent that allows appropriate management or display.! Where the long-term maintenance of the population makes the production of surplus animals unavoidable. For example, with species that, at a single birth event, produce offspring far in excess of the numbers required to maintain the population.! Where progress in running a species program under the ASMP is otherwise prevented because the necessary population genetics and demographics can not be maintained due to lack of accommodation, as a result of those facilities being occupied by individuals no longer required for the program. 2. Include in their institutional euthanasia policy reference to the handling of sick, injured or orphaned animals donated, usually by a member of the public. 3. Fully document the circumstances leading to a decision to euthanase and review the contributing factors so that any necessary action can be taken to ameliorate or prevent needless repetition of the causal factors. 4. Undertake preventative measures to preclude unnecessary production of animals by population control techniques including separation of sexes during breeding season, hormonal implants and surgical sterilisation. 5. For ASMP program species (and except in instances where immediate euthanasia is prescribed, on animal welfare grounds, by the consulting veterinarian), seek the agreement of the Program Coordinator prior to deciding to euthanase. 6. Ensure that euthanasia is carried out humanely with minimal psychological and physiological stress to the animal 7. Dated: March 2000 5 ARAZPA also recognises that the culling of certain species to manage numbers or to provide a food source is a generally accepted practice, provided that it is undertaken humanely. These species may include some invertebrates (eg. crickets, mealworms and flies), some domesticated species (e.g. mice and rats) and some herd or group-living species (eg. hoofstock and fish). 6 Age-related factors in this context may include abandonment of young at or near birth, degenerative conditions or general reduction in fitness associated with increased age. 7 Note that well-established techniques to dispose of live specimens in an appropriate manner are reviewed in the Report of the American Veterinary Medical Association Panel on Euthanasia (JAVMA 1993, 202(2): 229-246)
Guidelines on Regional Collection Planning and Species Management This document is an attachment to, and should be read in conjunction with, the ARAZPA Code of Practice. Recognising the benefits of both a strategic and collaborative approach to the development and management of their animal collections and in support of the Mission Statement of the Australasian Species Management Program 8 (ASMP), ARAZPA institutions: 1. Develop and implement a strategic collection plan in support of the institution s educational, research and conservation goals and objectives. 2. Incorporate an assessment of ASMP-generated priorities and recommendations into their strategic collection planning process. 3. Recognise and support cooperative species management under the ASMP and supply information as requested by appointed Program Coordinators. 4. Follow the recommendations of ASMP approved species programs. 5. Acknowledge that, on leaving the Association, the placement of animals of Program Species, acquired while a member of the Association, will be subject to ASMP recommendations, requiring their placement in other institutions. 6. Support counterpart species management and collection planning programs in other regions by preferentially dealing with program members (eg. members of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association s SSPs and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria EEPs). Dated: March 2000 8 To plan and manage animal collections cooperatively, in ways that promote sustainability and contribute to species conservation.
Guidelines on Animal Transactions This document is an attachment to, and should be read in conjunction with, the ARAZPA Code of Practice. Animal Disposition In addition to meeting all legislative requirements, and recognising that in the case of ASMP Program Species transactions will be subject to Program recommendations, ARAZPA institutions: 1. If sending to a public display, ensure that their animals are only sent to institutions that will maintain them in circumstances that concur with the ARAZPA Animal Management Guidelines covering that species. 2. If sending to a private individual or a non-display organisation (eg. private bird holder, university or pet shop), seek confirmation of the person/organisation s ability to appropriately care for the animal, particularly in the case of species requiring specialist care. 3. Freely exchange all relevant information relating to the animal (including health, ancestry and management history) at the commencement of transaction negotiations. 4. Preferentially offer surplus animals to ARAZPA member institutions subject to the following: 4.1 Program species are only considered surplus with the consent of the Species Coordinator. 4.2 The receiving institution can provide the requisite resources and/or expertise. 4.3 The receiving institution can provide for sustainability of the captive population. 4.4 The sending institution may require an equivalent exchange. 5. If the animal is to be transferred out of the region, preferentially send to zoos that will manage the animals as part of another regional program (eg. Europe s EEP and North America s SSP) 6. Do not seek to make a profit from animal transactions to another ARAZPA institution and therefore ensure that any payment received in relation to an animal transaction bears a direct relationship to the cost of implementing the transaction. (The handling of costs associated with transactions between member institutions is dealt with later in these guidelines.) 7. Having acquired an animal gratis through open exchange with another ARAZPA institution, the receiving institution will not subsequently sell that animal without the agreement of the sending institution. 8. Unless otherwise agreed by both parties, will ensure all animals are checked by an appropriate veterinarian pre-shipment. Animal Acquisition
In addition to meeting all legislative requirements and recognising that in the case of ASMP Program Species transactions will be subject to Program recommendations, ARAZPA institutions: 9. Ensure that they acquire animals only from reputable sources, being those that are able to provide correct and accurate details on the history of the animals, including their original acquisitions (except where animals are received from regulatory agencies as a result of legal confiscation). 10. Freely disclose the intent of the acquisition at the commencement of transaction negotiations. 11. Ensure that the collecting of native animals from the wild is done without detriment to the wild population and is ultimately to the benefit of the species. Animal Acquisition confiscated animals One of the potential sources of animals for ARAZPA zoos is from regulatory authorities as a result of legal confiscation. Both the IUCN and CITES have developed guidelines to assist confiscating authorities on the placement of confiscated animals: IUCN Guidelines for the Placement of Confiscated Animals and the CITES Guidelines for the Disposal of Confiscated Live Species of Species Included in the Appendices (Resolution Conf. 10.7). ARAZPA institutions recognise that the availability of confiscated animals, as a potential source of zoo and aquarium animals, represents a special circumstance, requiring particular considerations as outlined in the IUCN & CITES guidelines 9. Therefore, when deciding whether to acquire, or continue to house, confiscated animals, ARAZPA institutions ensure that: 12. No evidence of contagious disease has been found by rigorous veterinary screening and quarantine, or the animals can be effectively treated for any infection discovered 13. The transfer does not compromise the objective of confiscation 9 Both IUCN and CITES guidelines recognise that maintaining the animals in captivity is one of three options for dealing with confiscated animals within a conservation context. These are:! to maintain the animals in captivity for the remainder of their natural lives;! to return the animals to the wild;! to euthanase the animals, i.e., humanely destroy them The benefit of using confiscated animals as a source for captive populations is recognised by both the IUCN and CITES guidelines, and is seen in the majority cases as likely to be preferable to releasing the animals to the wild. However, both guidelines also attempt to address the risks associated with retaining confiscated animals in captivity. These are summarised as:! Potential to encourage undesired trade. Some authors have maintained that any transfer whether commercial or noncommercial of confiscated animals risks promoting a market for these species and creating a perception of the State's being involved in illegal or irregular trade. (CITES. Resolution of Conference of the Parties: 10.7)! Disease. Confiscated animals may serve as vectors for disease and, therefore, must be subject to extremely stringent quarantine. The potential consequences of the introduction of alien disease to a captive facility are as serious as those of introducing disease to wild populations. (CITES. Resolution of Conference of the Parties: 10.7) The CITES guidelines also includes the following statement of principle, which has been used to underpin the ARAZPA guidelines: Within the confines of the law, the ultimate decision on disposal of confiscated animals must achieve three goals:! to maximize conservation value of the specimens without in any way endangering the health, behavioural repertoire, or conservation status of wild or captive populations of the species;! to discourage further illegal or irregular trade in the species; and! to provide a humane solution, whether this involves maintaining the animals in captivity, returning them to the wild, or employing euthanasia to destroy them.
14. The transfer will not increase illegal, irregular or otherwise undesired trade in the species 15. If the animal transfer is to be associated with the transfer of funds, these are only to be either: 15.1 Sufficient to reimburse relevant institutions for the costs of care and transport associated with the transfer, or: 15.2 Directed to support species conservation within the range state. 16. If there is a choice between several captive facilities, the paramount consideration should be which facility can: 16.1 Offer the best opportunity for the animals to participate in a program that may benefit the conservation of the species; 16.2 Ensure the welfare of the animals. 17. Where no apparent benefits for species confiscation will result, ARAZPA institutions should ensure that space is made available to house confiscated animals only where this does not compromise ASMP managed programs for other species. Regional program species 18. In the case of ASMP program species, transact specimens only in accordance with the recommendations of the Program 10. Where transaction recommendations are not available, seek endorsement of the Program Coordinator at commencement of transaction negotiations. 19. In the case of those species managed under regional programs elsewhere, but without a specific ASMP program, that ARAZPA institutions request the sending zoo to inform their regional program at the commencement of transaction negotiations. Costs associated with transactions between member institutions 20. Unless alternative arrangements are agreed to by both parties, transaction costs will be handled as follows:! All transport costs for the animals will be borne by the receiving zoo, including the cost of crates where required and the cost of crate return where appropriate.! With respect to transfers between countries, the receiving zoo is responsible for agency handling fees and veterinary inspection fees. Staff costs! Where the receiving zoo sends a staff member to accompany the animal(s), the receiving zoo is responsible for all associated staff costs, including salary, accommodation, meals (per diem allowance) and transport.! Where the sending zoo sends a staff member to accompany the animal(s) at the request of the receiving zoo, the receiving zoo is responsible for all staff costs. Reimbursement of the salary of the sending zoo staff is the responsibility of the receiving zoo, but may be subject to negotiation. 10 Programs will limit transactions to ARAZPA member institutions, except in cases where involvement of other institutions is warranted and justified under the program and endorsed by the ASMP Committee.
! Where the sending zoo insists on one of their staff accompanying the animal(s), the sending zoo will be responsible for the salary and the receiving zoo is responsible for accommodation, meals and transport.! Where the sending zoo sends a staff member to accompany the animal(s), but that person combines the trip with other zoo-related business, the sending zoo will be responsible for the person s salary, transport costs and for meals and accommodation during the period spent addressing other business. The receiving zoo will be responsible for meals and accommodation during the period spent dealing with the animal transfer.! Animal drugs, food, etc., used during the transfer will be paid for by the receiving zoo.! Staff time allotted to the pre-transfer arrangements will be the sending zoo s responsibility.! Itemised, receipted accounts are to be sent to the receiving zoo for reimbursement.! Within accepted safety and living standards, both parties will endeavour to keep costs associated with the animal transfer to a minimum. 21. When charging to cover costs, the sending zoo will document and make a detailed financial breakdown of costs available to the receiving zoo. Dated: March 2000
Guidelines on Animal Records Keeping This document is an attachment to, and should be read in conjunction with, the ARAZPA Code of Practice. Recognising the need to ensure that animal records are thorough, in a standardised format and transferable, ARAZPA institutions: 1. Ensure that, for all specimens, parentage, breeding, medical and transaction histories are accurately maintained. 2. Ensure that, for species for which it is feasible, all specimens are individually identified 11. 3. Ensure that accurate individual specimen records are maintained for all species, with the exception of those for which group records are maintained (refer to the next item). 4. Ensure that adequate group records are maintained for those species for which specimens are transported and cared for as a group (eg. some fish, invertebrates, tadpoles, colony species and herd species). Such species would include those for which:! the natural generation time is very short, ie. there is a rapid turnover of specimens as a result of high fecundity and mortality rates; and/or! the reliable counting of specimens is not practical, so that only estimates of group size are available. 5. Ensure that any particular record keeping requirements associated with an approved ASMP Captive Management Program are met. 6. Submit accurate, current data for regional distribution by publication in the ASMP Regional Census and Plan and for global distribution on the ISIS CD-ROM. Dated: March 2000 11 Individual identification is achieved through tags, bands, transponders, tattoos, etc. Some guidance is provided, including possible sources and some regional conventions, in the AGRO Resource Manual, 1999.