Cape Town Aquarium Partners with Wild Welfare for Independent Audit
The Two Oceans Aquarium recently engaged Wild Welfare US (WWUS) to conduct a facility-wide, comprehensive animal welfare audit. WWUS is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the highest standards of animal welfare and care around the globe. The audit took place during the week of June 6, 2024, and demonstrated the Aquarium’s commitment to providing exceptional care for its aquatic residents while highlighting enhancements to further improve animal welfare in the future.
“We are very pleased to have participated in this Wild Welfare audit,” said Michael Farquhar, CEO of Two Oceans Aquarium. “We take animal welfare very seriously, and this independent audit is a valuable tool to help us achieve the highest standards. We are particularly proud of our Turtle Conservation Centre, and were happy to see it positively highlighted in the audit.”
The audit team, led by Wild Welfare’s Field Director, Dave Morgan, included Margaret Whittaker (Wild Welfare US) and Henrique Luís de Almeida (Ubatuba Aquarium, Brazil). They commended the Aquarium’s overall standard of care and noted the dedication and expertise of all Aquarium staff involved.
“The staff of Two Oceans Aquarium from senior management to the aquarists were fully engaged with the Wild Welfare audit process and it was a great pleasure and privilege to work with them,” said Dave Morgan, auditor for Wild Welfare. “We noted that they have in place some cutting edge practices carried out by creative thinkers”.
The Wild Welfare audit process is based on the organization’s ‘Core Standard of Welfare Practice for Captive Animals’. This comprehensive Standard outlines essential requirements for providing excellent animal welfare within captive environments. The audit team based their assessment on the 2014 Mellor Five Domain Model of Animal Welfare Compromise encompassing nutrition, environment, health, behaviour, and mental state.
The overall outcomes of this audit were very positive, and indicated only a few areas of improvement including additional measures to measure various aspects of water quality within exhibits, introducing standard operating procedures to deal with issues at the Aquarium’s water intake from the harbour, providing enrichment for animals when feeding, and providing additional material for animals to burrow e.g. the western leopard toads. The Two Oceans Aquarium will work with Wild Welfare US to address recommendations and further strengthen their animal welfare program.
“We are committed to improving every aspect of the Aquarium, and we will use recommendations from this audit to steer our ongoing efforts to provide the best possible lives for all animals under our care”, concluded Farquhar.
About Two Oceans Aquarium
Two Oceans Aquarium is a world-class aquarium located at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa. The aquarium is home to over 8,000 animals representing over 350 species from the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. TOA is a leading institution in marine conservation and education, and is dedicated to inspiring visitors to respect and protect our oceans.
About Wild Welfare and Wild Welfare US
Wild Welfare and Wild Welfare US are non-profit organisations that work to improve the lives of animals in captivity around the world. The organizations provide a range of services, including animal welfare audits, training programmes, and free online educational resources. Wild Welfare are committed to working alongside zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries and rescue centres to help assure resident animals can thrive and live good lives.
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Notes to Editors
For more information or interview requests please contact Wild Welfare on communications@wildwelfare.org
Wild Welfare is a global organisation committed to improving animal welfare for captive wild animals. By uniting the world’s leading zoos, zoo associations and animal welfare organisations, we build trusting partnerships that help provide long-term solutions to critical wild animal welfare issues.
Our vision is to end the suffering of captive wild animals around the world and ensure full and sustainable protection is given to all animals in human care. Find out more at wildwelfare.org. Registered charity in England (no.1165941).
