Zoos, Aquariums and Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers

Documents - Workshop September 2007

Issue Template - Zoos and Aquariums

Zoos and Aquariums Working Group

For the purpose of the Strategy, the term “animals” includes all vertebrates and invertebrates housed in zoos and aquariums.

DEFINITION – Animal Health

The state of a living organism, species, or population which can sustain biological functions to preserve its own integrity. The terms, “animal health” and “animal welfare,” are interrelated.

DEFINITION – Animal Welfare

Animal welfare is a human responsibility that encompasses all aspects of animal well-being, including proper housing, management, nutrition, disease prevention, responsible care, humane handling, and – where necessary – humane euthanasia.

ISSUES related to zoos and aquariums

1. There is a lack of national guidelines or standards pertaining to the minimum care of animals in zoos and wildlife rehabilitation centres.
2. There are insufficient facilities in Canada for analyzing exotic animal specimens; as a result, specimens are sent to the United States, which creates difficulties (e.g. obtaining permits) and is expensive.
3. There is a shortage of expertise/interest in labs to perform pathology / histopathology tests for animal specimens from zoos or wildlife rehabilitation centres.
4. There are inadequate resources to identify and manage diseases in zoos and rehabilitation centres.
5. No mechanisms exist to identify zones of wildlife diseases or areas where wildlife is at risk from contaminants.
6. There is a lack of access to information (e.g. scientific or research) among zoos and wildlife agencies regarding animal health risks.
7. There is a lack of communication among affected organizations (government, special interest groups, professional associations), both in Canada and abroad, regarding animal health risks to animals in zoos and aquariums.
8. There is no national decision-making body for zoos and rehabilitation centres.

PROPOSED NAHS OUTCOMES

1. Protect Canadians from animal-related health risks.
2. Strengthen domestic and international confidence in the integrity of Canada’s animal health, environment protection and food safety systems.
3. Minimize the economic, social and environmental consequences of animal diseases.
4. Sustain the health of animal populations by maintaining their viability and genetic diversity.
5. Reduce animals’ exposure to disease of concern.
6. Continue to improve the quality of life for animals.
7. Protect ecosystem health through prudent animal health and management practices.
8. Develop an integrated governance system to mitigate animal health risks.
9. Establish a communication network among the zoos and aquariums, government bodies and academia.
10. Provide for zoos, aquariums and rehabilitation centres the access to lab networks and diagnostic services, which includes post-mortem.
11. Provide for zoos, aquariums and rehabilitation centres the access to current scientific research on zoo animal health and welfare topics.