Brookfield Zoo And Shedd Aquarium Are Nation's First Facilities To Achieve Humane Certification From American Humane Association

CHICAGO, June 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --  American Humane Association is pleased to announce that two local institutions – Brookfield Zoo and Shedd Aquarium – are among the first zoos and aquariums internationally, and the first two in the United States, to achieve humane certification for the treatment of their animals through the world's first program dedicated solely to helping ensure the welfare and humane treatment of the remarkable, endangered and disappearing animals living in the world's zoos and aquariums.

With only 2.3 percent of the world's zoos and aquariums holding an accreditation status, and none certified solely on the evaluation of animal welfare standards, there is a need for the public to know which ones are excelling and which are not. These two world-renowned institutions are among the first four to pass American Humane Association's rigorous, third-party Humane Conservation™ animal welfare audit and earn the "Humane Certified™" seal.

"We applaud these organizations for their excellent work and stewardship of the magnificent animals in their care," said Dr. Kwane Stewart, chief veterinary officer for the American Humane Association Humane Conservation program. "These world-class facilities both stepped forward voluntarily to undergo our comprehensive, science-based auditing and have served as leaders in the field, demonstrating to the public their commitment to providing a high degree of welfare to the animals with whom they work."

Stewart added that gaining the 'Humane Certified' seal is an important validation of their efforts by a program that has been endorsed by many of the world's leading animal welfare scientists, veterinarians, animal advocates, and ethicists.

"As disappearing habitats and other human-induced pressures threaten species in the wild, the care we provide to the animals at Brookfield Zoo becomes of critical importance," said Stuart D. Strahl, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo. "We have a responsibility to not only maintain the health and well-being of the animals in our care but to utilize our teaching hospital and scientific research programs to explore innovative, cutting-edge techniques to address animal welfare questions. Our published findings contribute to the sustainability of wildlife populations and are used to engage our 2.2 million guests and 120,000 member families in the practice of caring for animals. We are honored to be recognized with this American Humane Association certification as it validates our commitment to advancing the science of animal-directed care."

"We have a strong obligation and responsibility to achieve the highest standards of animal welfare possible for the privilege of having these species in our care as part of our conservation research and education initiatives," said Bridget Coughlin, Ph.D., president and CEO of Shedd Aquarium. "We are dedicated to having an ongoing commitment to animal welfare as the highest priority in all operations. Shedd's facilities and practices provide environments for our animals where their physical, mental and behavioral needs come first. This credential is one more demonstration of Shedd's unwavering commitment to the welfare of those in our care."

In the face of what scientists are calling a "Sixth Extinction" with species disappearing at a rate 8-100 times higher than expected since 1900, zoos and aquariums are playing an outsized role in preserving the vital web of life on Earth. Serving as arks of hope for endangered animals and powerful ambassadors for conservation, these institutions are drawing more visitors each year than all sporting events combined. As the public becomes increasingly aware of and invested in the fate of the world's creatures, more and more are rightly demanding that the millions of creatures who live in zoos, aquariums and conservation centers are afforded good treatment and welfare.

To help achieve this, American Humane Association, which has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in the protection of animals over the past 140 years, has developed the first-ever independent, scientific and evidence-based third-party humane certification program focusing solely on the well-being of the animals living in these institutions. The program's comprehensive standards were created by an independent Scientific Advisory Committee made up of the most well-respected, iconic names in animal welfare, animal ethics, and the conservation community, and cover over 30 areas, including health, housing, social interactions, space, humane interactions, environmental quality, physiology, sound levels, treatment protocols, activity levels of the animals and more.

Adding to the rigor of the program, the implementation of the required standards is verified by independent auditors.          

"We believe all animals – those in our homes, those on our farms and ranches, and those being preserved and cared for in our zoos, aquariums, and conservation parks – are entitled to humane treatment," said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane Association. "This new Humane Conservation program will serve to help ensure the welfare of millions of animals and help the public to distinguish those institutions that are doing a good job from those that are not and either need to elevate the quality of their programs or shut their doors."

New Paper Released on Role of Zoos and Aquariums and Need for Humane Certification
The vital role played by today's zoos and aquariums, and the necessity for a program that helps ensure the welfare of the animals they serve is outlined in a major new White Paper entitled, "Arks of Hope, Ambassadors for Animals: The Pivotal Position of Zoos and Aquariums and Next Steps in Ensuring the Welfare of Animals in Human Care," which was released today by American Humane Association during the launch of the new Humane Conservation program on Capitol Hill.

"The impact and bond formed between people seeing and experiencing real animals is unparalleled, helping create new generations of animal advocates, and others who understand that our unique, interconnectedness is mutually beneficial to people, animals and the world we share," said Dr. Ganzert. "We have a moral obligation to protect these magnificent animals, and zoos and aquariums are vital ambassadors for this effort. People won't protect what they don't love. And they can't love what they don't know. This new Humane Conservation program will help ensure not only that the animals in the world's zoos and aquariums are well-cared-for, but that new generations of animal lovers are cultivated and dedicated to the preservation of the many remarkable creatures with whom we share the Earth."

About American Humane Association  
American Humane Association is the country's first national humane organization, and the only one dedicated to protecting both children and animals. With an unparalleled reach and scope, the organization positively touches more than 42,000 lives each minute through effective, life-affirming, life-saving services and public outreach – more than any other organization in its field. Since 1877, American Humane Association has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in protecting our most vulnerable from cruelty, abuse and neglect. Today it is leading the way in understanding the human-animal bond and its role in therapy, medicine and society. American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. You can help make a difference, too. Visit American Humane Association at www.americanhumane.org today.

About Chicago Zoological Society
The mission of the Chicago Zoological Society is to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature. The Chicago Zoological Society is a private nonprofit organization that operates Brookfield Zoo on land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The Society is known throughout the world for its international role in animal population management and wildlife conservation. Its Center for the Science of Animal Care and Welfare is at the forefront of animal care that strives to discover and implement innovative approaches to zoo animal management. Open every day of the year, the zoo is located off First Avenue between the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways and is also accessible via the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Metra commuter line, CTA, and PACE bus service. For further information, visit www.CZS.org.

About Shedd Aquarium
The John G. Shedd Aquarium, a nonprofit organization dedicated to public education and conservation, is among one of the world's largest indoor aquariums. The facility houses over 32,000 aquatic animals representing some 1,500 species of fishes, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, birds and mammals from waters around the world.  Beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, Shedd Aquarium is known as "The World's Aquarium."  Since its opening in 1930, the aquarium's mission has been to enhance public understanding and appreciation of the aquatic world.  Shedd Aquarium is committed to a number of projects designed to preserve threatened or endangered aquatic species. Visit www.sheddaquarium.org to learn more.

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SOURCE American Humane Association

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