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Program Animal Handling Guidelines

Program Animal Handling Guidelines

American Zoo and Aquarium Association - Animal Care Policy

The use of any program animal comes with a host of responsibilities including the welfare (i.e., physiological and psychological well-being) of the animals used, the safety of the animal handlers and public, and accountability for the take-home messages received by the audience.

American Zoo and Aquarium Association - Recommendations for Developing an Institutional Program Animal Policy

Membership in AZA requires that an institution meet the AZA Accreditation Standards collectively developed by our professional colleagues. Standards guide all aspects of an institution's operations; however, the accreditation commission has asserted that ensuring that member institutions demonstrate the highest standards of animal care is a top priority. Another fundamental AZA criterion for membership is that education be affirmed as core to an institution's mission. All accredited public institutions are expected to develop a written education plan and to regularly evaluate program effectiveness.

From Meerkats to Mickey -- Interpreting with Live Animals -- San Diego Zoo and Disney's Animal Kingdom

Many facilities with living collections use live animals as ambassadors for communicating their educational messages. This article reviews the goals of these programs, animal acquisition and collection plans, animal training and protocols, and the themes and programs utilized at both the San Diego Zoo and Disney's Animal Kingdom.