We’re happy to announce Georgia Aquarium, the Western Hemisphere’s largest aquarium, passed a rigorous third-party inspection and achieved certification under our new global project, Humane Conservation.

American Humane kicked off Humane Conservation back in June as the first-ever certification program ensuring animals are humanely treated in zoos and aquariums across the world. Our program upholds science-based welfare standards, developed by an independent Scientific Advisory Committee of world-renowned leaders in the fields of animal science, animal behavior, animal ethics, and conservation. These experts developed strict, comprehensive criteria evaluating the many dimensions of animal welfare and wellbeing. The standards cover everything from animal health, safety, and socialization, to appropriate lighting, sound levels, air quality, and temperatures.

Elephant veterinarian Linda Peddie summarized our approach as one that asks, “Is the animal actually experiencing what’s best for it?” After all, that’s the only question that counts.

It’s also a question that more zoo and aquarium visitors are asking, and American Humane is answering. When visitors see our certification at institutions like Georgia Aquarium, they can rest assuredthat the animals they’re admiring and learning about are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.