Secretary of State’s Standards of Modern Zoo Practice

Appendix 4 Last updated: September 2004

Appendix 4 - Animal Transactions

(see also Appendix 2 – Ethical Review Process)

4.1 The Animal Transaction Policy of BIAZA (formerly called the Federation of
Zoos) should be complied with where appropriate.

Transport of Live Animals

4.2 Arrangements for transport must comply with the Welfare of Animals
(Transport) Order 1997; the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES); and the Guidelines on Transport and the
Regulations of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and any other
relevant regulations.

Animal Acquisition

4.3 In general, the acquisition of animals from the wild is to be discouraged

unless there are justifiable reasons for doing so. If this option is necessary, an
ethics and conservation policy should take into account:

• the legality of the acquisition;

• the need for so doing;
• the collection methods, including ensuring that they are environmentally
acceptable
• and safeguard the welfare of the animal.

4.4 When receiving animals, collections should be capable of providing

appropriate levels of husbandry based on the Five Principles.

Disposal of Live Animals

4.5 Surplus stock is any individual that a collection no longer wishes to house, for
any reason. When disposing of such stock operators should ensure that it is only
passed to persons with the appropriate facilities, resources and expertise
conforming with the Five Principles. Precautions should also be taken to ensure
that recipients are likely to safeguard the animal’s welfare in any subsequent
transactions.

4.6 If animals bred in zoos are sold as pets to the general public, a licence may
be required from the local authority under the Pet Animals Act 1951.

Animals intended for release

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Appendix 4 Last updated: September 2004

4.7 The guidelines of the Reintroduction Specialist Group of the Species Survival
Commission of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) should be followed when
considering or undertaking the release of animals into the wild. Consideration
should also be given to using other recognised guidelines such as those of the
British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council.

4.8 Animals intended for release present special challenges in comparison with
those staying in the zoo. For example, health care may need to be different and
exposure to stressors may be necessary, as care and facilities in recipient
country may fall below the standard in the UK. Zoos involved in release
programmes should make every effort to conform as closely as possible to
the IUCN standards and reconcile these as far as possible with the legitimate
needs of the project. Particular attention should be paid to the suitability of any
temporary care facilities.

Euthanasia

4.9 Euthanasia is an acceptable procedure only if an animal cannot be provided

with captive conditions which meet the Five Principles, or it cannot be released
into the wild. Although breeding for conservation purposes is to be encouraged,
species for which there is marginal or no conservation value should be carefully
assessed on whether to allow them to breed, and, if not, appropriate action taken
to prevent stock from increasing unnecessarily. In the main, measures should be
taken to control unwanted or unnecessary breeding. These are preferable to
euthanasia of healthy stock.

4.10 Euthanasia is justifiable under certain conditions, which include the

following:

• If, in the opinion of a vet, an animal is suffering from an incurable disease,

or severe pain or suffering which cannot be alleviated.
• If a zoo has to close, euthanasia may be the only option for some animals
and the most humane for others.
• If the animal poses a serious and unavoidable threat to human safety (e.g.
because it has escaped).
• Culling of surplus stock (including unacceptable sex ratios) where over-
crowding compromises the welfare of the animals so that it is impractical
to maintain them within the Five Principles.

4.11 It is important that a modern zoo has a policy, with appropriate protocols, to
ensure humane and timely euthanasia to minimise suffering. This information
should be made available to Inspectors and form part of the audit process. It
should be capable of demonstrating that zoo operators have:

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a) information and guidance from their veterinary surgeon on euthanasia,

including emergency methods;

b) facilities for the humane despatch of animals of all the species kept,
including for killing casualties under emergency conditions

c) support and advice on public relations aspects of the killing of animals.

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Secretary of State’s Standards of Modern Zoo Practice
Appendix 4 Last updated: September 2004