WAZA Guidelines for the Use ofAnimals in Visitor Interactions

This document outlines the position of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) on theuse of animals in zoos and aquariums for interactions with visitors to these institutions. Theseguidelines are based on the 2003 WAZA Code of Ethics and Animal Welfare 1, the 2015 World Zooand Aquarium Animal Welfare Strategy2 and the 2015 WAZA resolution on animal interactions 3. This
resolution recommends that WAZA members adopt a policy on visitor–animal interactions in zoosand aquariums and follow the recommendations as published in the World Zoo and Aquarium
Animal Welfare Strategy; such a policy and recommendations are provided in this document.

Introduction
Zoos and aquariums have a responsibility to achieve high standards of animal welfare in support oftheir goals as modern conservation organisations. This includes the use of animals in visitor
interactions – hereafter referred to as ‘programme animals’. The guidelines presented here arebased on the scientific evidence provided in the World Zoo and Aquarium Animal Welfare Strategy.
Visitor Interactions
Zoos and aquariums have seen a rapid growth in interactive experiences in recent years. The
progression from simply exhibiting zoo and aquarium animals for visitors to observe, to present
approaches that bring humans and animals into close proximity, has rapidly gained momentum aszoos and aquariums have evolved. From walk-through, swim-through or drive-through exhibits todirect animal contact, such as touch pools, hands-on education or petting areas/touch paddocks, theinteractive experiences are varied. Although such visitor–animal interactions are popular, the effectof visitor presence or direct contact on the programme animal’s well-being must also be considered,as ensuring positive welfare at all times is of paramount importance. Other responsibilities include
considering the safety of the public and the animals, regular evaluation of the relevance of theinteractive experience and the ability of the message being delivered to encourage subsequent
responsible behaviours.
As more zoos and aquariums adopt the intuitively attractive principle of ‘connect, understand, act’,
there will be increasing opportunities to rigorously evaluate the effects of different approaches
towards environmental education, and also to consider carefully the welfare of animals in theseprogrammes. Importantly, there is evidence that some animals find some interactive experiences
unpleasant and stressful. More research is required to directly evaluate the impacts of such
experiences, and it is the responsibility of the zoos and aquariums providing visitor–animalinteractions to undertake this work and to provide visitors with interactions that do not impede theanimals’ welfare.

1WAZA (2003) WAZA Code of Ethics and Animal Welfare. Berne: WAZA.
Mellor, D. J., Hunt, S. & Gusset, M. (eds) (2015) Caring for Wildlife: The World Zoo and Aquarium Animal Welfare Strategy.
Gland: WAZA.
3thResolution 70.1 adopted at the 70 WAZA Annual Conference (2015).
2

Monitoring and Assessment
All interactive experiences should be regularly assessed for their impact on the welfare of theanimals, by animal-focused assessments that measure the physical and psychological impact on theprogramme animal, as well as the possible impact on other members of a social group or exhibit
companions, if the programme animal is periodically removed for visitor–animal interactions. Specialcare should be taken when animals are removed from their enclosures for these experiences, as all
the animals can become stressed and their behaviour less predictable.
For programme animals that are housed in separate enclosures for the purpose of this opportunity,
the impact of differences in housing and husbandry needs to be carefully evaluated. Any animal used
for a visitor interaction should have the same opportunities for positive welfare outcomes (such as
appropriate enclosure size, infrastructure and enrichment) as other animals held within the zoo oraquarium that are not involved in interactive experiences.
Each interactive experience should also be monitored and documented, as appropriate, including
measuring the frequency, duration and timing (time of day) of the visitor–animal interaction; noting
whether direct contact is necessary and, if it is, evaluating the appropriateness of the number ofvisitors, their ages and the consistency of the experience provided.
Suitability of Species
Interactive experiences should be appropriate for the programme animal’s physical and mental
capability with careful evaluation of the species involved, and its age and current condition. Some
species or individuals are more appropriate for visitor–animal interactions, so the choice ofprogramme animals can reduce the stress of these interactions. An institution must never modify ananimal’s behaviour through aversive conditioning or drugs, or carry out mutilation procedures inorder to make an animal safe for handling in interactive experiences.
Visitor–animal interactions should not impede any efforts to conserve a species (e.g.
reintroductions). Breeding programme animals may be used in interactive experiences only when
this does not interfere with breeding programme goals. Animals should not be prematurely removed
from their mothers in order to be hand-raised for use in visitor interactions, if this causes
psychological distress to either animal.
Staff Expertise
Effective staff management in interactive experiences is paramount for the safety (and welfare) of
both the animal and public. All staff involved in visitor–animal interactions should have appropriatetraining, which should be documented and monitored regularly. Any contact among animals, visitorsand staff should be done within restricted timeframes to allow sufficient rest periods for the animals
away from the public. In non-direct contact situations, appropriate and experienced staff should
always be present to look after the safety of the public and animals involved.
Messaging
Alongside conservation messaging, zoos and aquariums should also consider explaining the animal
welfare and management processes to visitors to build understanding of and respect for animals andthe natural world. This can be done through talks, an animal welfare charter, signage and/orenvironmental education programmes. Zoos and aquariums should be clear that while trained
animal interactions can build connections with wildlife, certain exotic wild animals do not make goodpets.

Safety
Interactive experiences can be unpredictable and potentially dangerous, and the public and staff
involved should be advised of the possible risks and indemnities associated with such experiences.
All institutions offering visitor–animal interactions should conduct reviews and keep appropriate
records. An institution should also consider and mitigate the risk of zoonotic infections and exposing
animals to infections. Hand washing prior to contact is especially critical in contact situations thatinvolve invertebrates, which are particularly sensitive to nicotine poisoning. Hand washing is criticalafter contact with reptiles and amphibians.
Several zoos, aquariums and their professional associations have developed guidelines for the use ofanimals in visitor interactions. In addition to the present WAZA guidelines, these are useful guides
for individual zoos and aquariums considering or undertaking interactive experiences, in order tomake sure that they are compliant with any relevant national standards and legal requirements.
In conclusion, many zoos and aquariums use interactive experiences to support their conservation,
research and education goals. These visitor–animal interactions are provided in a manner thatprioritises good animal welfare; requires the adoption of evidence-based animal management
practices; is informed by systematic and objective animal welfare research; and offers a responsible
take-home message. Interactive experiences should be non-invasive, safe and non-stressful for theanimals. Monitoring of all animals involved in visitor interactions must be ongoing and haveprofessional oversight. Risks to animal welfare should be minimised by carefully considering whether
interactive experiences are appropriate or necessary, and if they are, by accommodating theprogramme animals’ particular needs.
Based on this policy, WAZA calls on its members to follow these recommendations:Visitor Interactions
1. Avoid using animals in any interactive experience that would compromise their welfare.
2. Animals involved in direct contact situations should receive appropriate and positive training or
be habituated to visitor interactions in order to reduce potential stress.
3. Make no abnormal demands on animals and assure that visitors or their associated noise do not
provoke or unduly stress the animals.
4. Allow adequate rest time and assure that animals displaying distress are removed immediatelyfrom the interactive experience.
5. All walk-through exhibits, touch pools and petting areas/touch paddocks where animals are inclose proximity to visitors should have a suitable size, provide for species-appropriate needs andhave suitable refuge areas that the animals can retire to away from visitors.
Monitoring and Assessment
1. Regularly assess and document the potential impact of the interactive experiences on theanimals’ physical and psychological welfare. Withdraw animals from such experiences ifbehavioural and other indices of distress are demonstrated.
2. Regularly assess and document the appropriateness of the interactive experiences and theirrelative contribution to the institution’s mission and vision.
3. Regularly assess and document staff expertise and apply training when necessary.
4. Carry out appropriate ethical reviews on the suitability and impact of the interactive experienceson the species used.

Suitability of Species
1. Consider the species used in interactive experiences. Young, breeding and elderly animals may beparticularly susceptible to stress and should not be used for direct contact, if problems occur.
2. Do not use species or individuals in interactive experiences that are vulnerable or intolerant ofhuman contact.
3. Do not modify the behaviour through aversive conditioning or drugs, or undertake the mutilationof any animal to make it safe for handling in interactive experiences.
4. Do not use animals destined for reintroduction for interactive experiences.
5. Provide suitable, species-appropriate environments and refuge areas for enclosures whereanimals are in close proximity to visitors.
Staff Expertise
1. All staff handling or in close contact with animals should be suitably trained, experienced andable to recognise signs of injury, disease and distress. They must be authorised to remove
animals from interactive experiences, if necessary.
2. In non-direct contact situations, appropriate and experienced staff should always be present tolook after the safety of the public and animals involved.
Messaging
1. Messaging that accompanies all interactive experiences and any related presentations shouldraise conservation awareness and/or achieve conservation outcomes and encourage respect foranimals and the natural world. Species conservation should be the overriding message and/orpurpose.
2. Do not undertake, contribute to or participate in interactive experiences where animals perform
in a manner that does not constitute normal and natural wild-state behaviour. Do not present
animals in a way that the visitors could perceive them as exotic pets or ‘performers’.
3. Appropriate animal welfare and conservation messaging must accompany any photoopportunities, in order to raise visitor awareness and encourage subsequent responsible
behaviours.
4. Establish procedures that ensure that all animals are treated with respect, allowing andsupporting species-specific behaviour in their depiction and presentation.
5. If possible, explain, via talks, signage and/or interpretation, how animal welfare improvements
have been made in the institution.
6. When considering the development of interactive experiences, access and use the research,knowledge and expertise regarding the effectiveness of environmental education.
Safety1. Develop an institutional visitor–animal interactions policy that is compliant with all relevant
national standards and meets or exceeds the present WAZA guidelines.
2. Acknowledge the legal ramifications and responsibilities associated with the use of animals invisitor interactions.
3. Ensure that interactive experiences are always supervised by experienced and authorised staff forthe safety and well-being of the animals and visitors involved.
4. Provide visitors with opportunities to wash their hands before and after direct animal contact.