ALBUFEIRA, PORTUGAL, March 12, 2018 — Zoomarine Algarve has achieved certification through the global American Humane Conservation program for the welfare and humane treatment of the animals under its care. Zoomarine Algarve passed a rigorous third-party audit to become the fourth institution in all of Europe to earn the prestigious Humane Certified™ seal of approval.
The American Humane Conservation program 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.
“American Humane is proud to recognize Zoomarine Algarve with its prestigious Humane Certified™ seal of approval,” said American Humane President and CEO Dr. Robin Ganzert. “This elite distinction demonstrates to the world Zoomarine Algarve’s commitment to providing the animals under its care with the highest standards of humane, verifiable and transparent animal care.”
According to Pedro Lavia, founder and President of Zoomarine Algarve, Portugal, “The criteria for animal well-being has always been the biggest ethical and emotional priority of our professional family. The fact that American Humane (the most prestigious international entity in this area for over 100 years) has certified Zoomarine Algarve with a score above 90% is something that, not only gives us an immense sense of pride, but also motivates us to continue our determination to maintain Zoomarine Algarve as an international reference among its areas of practice.
“Considering the above, it is with great honor and joy that we continue to embrace this noble and immense responsibility, with a sincere and renewed motivation day-by-day, in favor of Conservation, Environmental Education and Science.”
The American Humane Conservation program’s extensive criteria exhaustively verify the many dimensions of animal welfare and well-being, 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.
For added rigor, Zoomarine Algarve’s compliance with the American Humane Conservation standards was verified through an independent audit.
You can read more about the American Humane Conservation program here: http://humaneconservation.org/
