December 3, 2018 — Dr. Paul Boyle, a global leader in protecting and preserving Earth’s remarkable and endangered species, has been named as national director of the American Humane Conservation program. This worldwide certification program is the first of its kind solely devoted to helping verify the welfare, well-being and demonstrably humane treatment of the millions of animals living in zoos, aquariums, and conservation centers. Operated by American Humane, the United States’ first national humane organization and the largest certifier of animal welfare in the world, the program is considered the gold standard in helping ensure the welfare of these vitally important creatures by enforcing comprehensive and rigorous science-based criteria developed by an independent Scientific Advisory Committee comprised of world-renowned leaders in the fields of animal science, animal behavior, animal ethics, and field conservation.
A well-known and respected figure in the field, Dr. Boyle served for many years as Senior Vice President for Conservation & Education at the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), which manages the accreditation of zoological institutions serving 200 million people annually. He led research seeking ways to apply social science findings to expand the impact of public engagement in conservation, developed policies and forged partnerships to increase the success of species conservation, and advanced animal care and welfare standards.
Dr. Boyle was a key strategist working internationally with AZA institutions, the European AZA, the Australasian AZA, and the World AZA on conservation, environmental education, policy, and public engagement efforts. He led a nationwide team of conservation and wildlife professionals in creating the scientific framework for a new division of AZA called SAFE – Saving Animals From Extinction.
Dr. Boyle also served as Executive Director of the New York Aquarium and its Osborn Laboratories, part of the Wildlife Conservation Society. He founded The Ocean Project and co-founded the World Ocean Network with 2,000 partner organizations in over 100 countries. He continues to serve as Chairman of The Ocean Project, which helped influence the United Nations to designate June 8 as World Oceans Day and coordinates World Oceans Day events globally.
Most recently, Dr. Boyle served as CEO of BioVisions – Strategy Consulting, which provides strategic planning services to nature-based nonprofit organizations.
Dr. Boyle earned a Bachelor’s in Biology at Northeastern University, a Master’s in Environmental Engineering and a Doctorate in Applied Environmental Sciences from Harvard University. He has also completed the Executive Management Program at the Wharton Business School.
“Animals worldwide are facing what scientists are calling a Sixth Mass Extinction,” says American Humane President and CEO Dr. Robin Ganzert. “If we are to preserve the legacy and rich diversity of life on Earth it is critical that we rally the best and the brightest to work together with leading zoos and aquariums, which are acting as modern-day arks of hope for so many remarkable, threatened and disappearing species. We are extremely pleased and honored to have a global leader such as Paul Boyle as a leader of this vitally important program.”
To learn more about the American Humane Conservation program and the effort to preserve and protect the world’s remarkable and endangered species, please visit www.HumaneConservation.org.
About American Humane
Founded in 1877, American Humane is the country’s first national humane organization and the largest certifier of animal welfare in the world, now overseeing the safety and humane treatment of some one billion animals each year For more information about American Humane, please visit www.AmericanHumane.org.
