Seal of Approval

Denver Zoo Earns American Humane Certified™ Seal for the Treatment of Its Animals

American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare practices, today announced Denver Zoo earned its American Humane Certified™ seal, demonstrating the good welfare and treatment provided to the creatures in its care. The zoo passed rigorous, expert third-party audits to join a growing number of leading zoological institutions that have earned the American Humane Certified™ designation.

“We believe all animals, including those being cared for in our zoos, aquariums and conservation parks, are entitled to humane treatment,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane president and CEO. “The Humane Certified seal lets zoo and aquarium visitors rest easy in the knowledge that their favorite animals are getting good care and that endangered species we all want to preserve will exist for generations to come.”

The Humane Certified program is the first certification effort solely devoted to helping verify the welfare and demonstrably humane treatment of animals living in zoos, aquariums and conservation centers across the globe. The program enforces rigorous, science-based and comprehensive criteria for animal welfare, developed by an independent Scientific Advisory Committee comprised of world-renowned leaders in the fields of animal science, animal behavior and animal ethics.

“The public is rightly demanding assurance that animals in human care are receiving objectively and verifiably good treatment in conditions that meet scientifically-based welfare criteria,” said Dr. Ganzert. “We commend Denver Zoo for voluntarily undergoing exhaustive examinations including comprehensive, on-site assessments of actual animal welfare conditions and practices for nearly 3,000 animals by a team of independent expert auditors. As a result of meeting the many outcomes-based welfare criteria, Denver Zoo joins a select group of leading U.S. institutions that qualify for the unique American Humane Certified designation.”

Situated on 80 acres in Denver’s City Park, Denver Zoo boasts state-of-the-industry facilities and care for its animals, which includes species like African lions, Amur tigers, Asian elephants and Sumatran orangutans.

“Providing the highest quality care for our animals is our top priority and fundamental to our mission to save wildlife,” said Brian Aucone, Denver Zoo’s senior vice president for animal sciences. “American Humane Certification provides yet another way for us to measure how we care for the amazing wildlife that call Denver Zoo home and serve as ambassadors for their wild counterparts.”

The American Humane Certified program exhaustively verifies the many dimensions of animal welfare, with areas of evaluation including: excellent health and housing; positive social interactions within groups of animals, as well as between animals and handlers; safe and stimulating environments with concern for factors such as appropriate lighting, sound levels, air quality, and thermoregulation; and, evidence of thorough preparation and protocols established to prevent and manage medical or operational emergencies. You can read more about the American Humane Certified program here: http://humaneconservation.org/.