New rules for zoo animals

The Environmental Protection Authority has set new rules for keeping animals in zoos.

The change will mean a standard set of rules will apply to all animals approved for containment in zoos, where in the past there were different rules for different species and different situations.

The new rules are outcome based, which means the focus is on making sure zoos contain their animals properly, rather than providing prescriptive rules about how they contain them. 

They include requirements for facilities to have written documentation to show they are complying.

They will have to prove their management practices and finances are robust enough to care for their animals in the long term.

Every facility will have to document staff training, and ensure they have the right level containment for their animals.

The new controls have been set by the EPA's Hazardous Substances and New Organisms committee, following an application from the Zoo and Aquarium Association.

The application was open for public submissions, and a public hearing was held in June.

The new controls will come into force in a year’s time.

You can read the full decision on our website.

Download the decision.

ENDS

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