The Wild Welfare Core Standard Document

Founded in 2012, Wild Welfare is a UK registered charity working globally to improve welfare for wild animals living in under human care.

Wild Welfare established the need to develop and implement an international Core Standard of Welfare Practice for Captive Wild Animals to provide an evidence-based procedure for the systematic and forensic auditing of the welfare of animals in captivity. The Wild Welfare Core Standard of Welfare Practice for Captive Animals is derived from current and prevailing trends and published literature pertaining to animal welfare requirements in Zoos, Aquariums, Sanctuaries, Rescue Centres and Rehabilitation Centres. This Standard may be used for auditing in association with the Wild Welfare Live Collection Audit Protocol.

This document is designed for facilities worldwide that care for captive wild animals, both publicly and privately. It aims to help these facilities consistently meet fundamental welfare requirements and continuously improve their animal management practices. By adopting the “Five Domains Model” of animal welfare, which considers physical well-being alongside mental and emotional states, the standard provides a framework to ensure animals not only avoid negative experiences but also have opportunities for positive ones.