American Humane is thrilled to announce that the Fort Worth Zoo achieved certification by the global American Humane Conservation program. The Fort Worth Zoo passed a rigorous third-party audit to earn the prestigious Humane Certified™ seal of approval, joining an elite group of only seven such institutions in the United States.
The American Humane Conservation program, which you can read more about here, is the first-ever certification program solely devoted to helping verify the humane treatment of animals living in zoos, aquariums, and conservation centers across the globe. The program enforces rigorous, evidence-based standards of comprehensive animal welfare, developed by an independent Scientific Advisory Committee comprised of world-renowned leaders in the fields of animal science, animal behavior, animal ethics, and conservation.
The Fort Worth Zoo was founded in 1909 with one lion, two bear cubs, an alligator, a coyote, a peacock and a few rabbits. From such humble beginnings, the Zoo has continuously grown into a now nationally ranked facility. The Fort Worth Zoo currently houses 542 unique animal species and welcomes more than 1 million visitors annually. The mission of the Zoo is to strengthen the bond between humans and the environment by promoting responsible stewardship of wildlife and ensuring diverse, high-quality educational and entertaining family experiences through effective and efficient management of its resources.
“American Humane is thrilled to recognize the Fort Worth Zoo with its prestigious Humane Certified™ seal of approval, demonstrating to the public Fort Worth Zoo’s leadership as a responsible, humane steward of the thousands of animals living in its care,” said American Humane President and CEO Dr. Robin Ganzert. “The certification of the Fort Worth Zoo by the American Humane Conservation program demonstrates their commitment to meeting the highest standards of humane, verifiable, and transparent animal care.”
“We are honored to have achieved this prestigious certification from an organization recognized for its tireless dedication to animal welfare,” said Michael Fouraker, Fort Worth Zoo executive director. “Our staff provides the paramount care for our animals, and to have that validated by a third party – and to be placed among the most elite zoos is the country – is a distinction of which we are proud.”
