OPERATIONAL DOCUMENT
Doc #: COE - 2012.02
May 2012

VisionAll African Zoos and Aquaria to be effective and credible centers, which inspire and foster care for nature
MissionTo guide and accredit all African Zoos and Aquaria to become effective and credible centers of animalwelfare, conservation, education and research

PROFESSIONAL CODE OF ETHICS
OF THE
AFRICAN ASSOCIATIONOF ZOOS AND AQUARIA

Amended June 2003
Amended March 2004
Amended June 2007
Amended May 2012

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PREAMBLE

1.1 All Members of PAAZAB irrespective of category recognize and acknowledge the need to establish
and implement a CODE OF ETHICS to regulate and improve the professional standards under which
they operate. They recognize that any Member who fails to strive to meet, or ignores, or knowingly
contravenes the letter and/or spirit of this code not only places their membership of PAAZAB oraccreditation status in jeopardy, but will also bring disrepute upon the profession and the communityof PAAZAB as contemplated in clause 17.1.3.1 and 17.1.3.5 of the PAAZAB Constitution
1.2 Additionally as contemplated in clause 10.2.3, all institutional Members and any other member
deemed to require it by the Executive Committee of PAAZAB acknowledges and recognizes anethical responsibility to demonstrate and maintain compliance with the PAAZAB OperationalStandard 2.13.10.5(a) of 2008.
1.3 The PAAZAB Operational Standard 2.13.10.5(a) of 2008 provides ethical guidance to the level ofprofessional standards contemplated in clause 1.1 above.
1.4 The "WORLD ZOO AND AQUARIUM CONSERVATION STRATEGY" (WZACS) of the World
Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) of 2004 sets forth the fundamental aims and objects ofex situ management within the WAZA community. Therefore, PAAZAB recommends that its
Members also apply the WZACS in respect of the management and deployment of their collections.

2TRADE IN AND MOVEMENT OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS

2.1

All trade in fauna and flora (including import and export) must conform to international
conventions and agreements, and to national and local ordinances. No animals or plants should
be dispatched until the receiving party has confirmed that it is in possession of all necessary
documentation to take delivery.

2.3

All members acknowledge and recognize their responsibility to provide relevant, accurate, up-todate information at all times in order to promote and/or confirm trade in or movement ofanimals and plants, or to obtain the necessary permits for such actions.

3ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

3.1

Members agree to the highest possible standards of animal husbandry, veterinary care, andhousing for their animals so as to ensure the application of the principle of the five freedoms ofanimal welfare listed as follows:1.

Freedom from hunger and thirst by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintainfull health and vigour;2.

Freedom from thermal and physical discomfort by providing an appropriate environment
including shelter and a comfortable resting area;

3.

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4.

Freedom to express most normal patterns of behaviour by providing sufficient space,
proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind, where applicable;

5.

Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment that avoidsuffering.

3.2

Members agree to make every effort to maintain the biological, genetic and behavioural integrityof the taxa in their collection.

3.3

Members agree not to knowingly engage with, trade in, donate, or otherwise transfer animals
into inappropriately painful or distressing circumstances.

3.4

Members agree not to breed, supply or sell animals for the purpose of hunting.

3.5

Members agree to annually provide full correct and complete information about their collections
to the coordinators(s) of the PAAZAB holding inventory (ies) in a timely manner and in keepingwith any all deadlines imposed on the collation of such data by said coordinators.

3.6

Members agree that euthanasia is a management option in the maintenance of collections andappropriate population management.

5EX-SITU CONSERVATION BREEDING PROGRAMMES

5.2

Members acknowledge the validity of formalized regional zoo association-based co-operative andcoordinated conservation breeding programmes, including but not limited to, the African
Preservation Programme (APP) run under the auspices of PAAZAB.

5.3

Members agree to furnish all relevant information in a timely manner when requested to do soby the duly appointed coordinator(s) of such programmes.

6IN-SITU CONSERVATION

6.1

7.

Members agree in respect of the supply of species for release, to responsibly consider all
implications of this practice in terms of the conservation and preservation of native fauna and flora interms of the most up-to-date edition of the Reintroduction Guidelines as published by theInternational Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)PUBLIC SAFETY

7.1 Members agree to uphold the safety of visiting members of the public at all times and recognize their
responsibilities to the maintenance of appropriate ethical behavior in their dealings with members ofthe public.

8.

APPLICATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS CODE

8.1 PAAZAB will maintain a portfolio of Ethics on its Executive Committee, the holder of which willserve as the chairman. The chairman will appoint appropriate specialists to the committee, whichshall comprise a minimum of 3 (three) members.In the event it proves essential to the professional

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conduct of the Ethics Committee that another appropriate person(s) be co-opted onto theCommittee for a particular investigation, the PAAZAB Executive Committee may consider suchproposal(s) by the Ethics Committee.
8.2

When convened, this Committee will serve as an investigative body in respect of alleged
Contraventions of this Code by Members of PAAZAB.

8.3

The PAAZAB Executive Committee will be responsible for activating the Ethics Committee, until
such time as an alternative mechanism is evolved. Issues considered deserving of investigation
under the terms of this Code should be submitted in writing with all supporting documentation
to the PAAZAB Executive Committee, which shall decide whether such an issue is deserving of
the attention of the Ethics Committee.

8.4

The Ethics Committee, when convened at the request of the PAAZAB Executive Committee,
will investigate the matter and submit a report to the Executive Committee detailing its findings
and recommendations. The Executive Committee will examine the report, and decide whether
or not the member is in contravention of this code by majority vote.

8.5

All proceedings and documentation of this committee will be confidential, with the exception of
the contents of media releases approved by the Executive Committee.

8.6

The PAAZAB Executive Committee may, at its discretion, make available the Ethics Committee’s
documentation and to local, national or international wildlife, conservation or relevant law
enforcement authorities.

8.7

Interpretation of this code is at the sole discretion of the PAAZAB Executive Committee

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THE ETHICS PROCEDURE TREEThe Executive
Notification ofViolation from:

Details ofcomplaint

MemberZoo

Verification ofaccusation & facts

Clauses
contravened

The Media
Don’t
ProceedProceedThe Public
A Member

NotifyNotifyThe Exec Itself

MemberZoo

Opportunity
for rebuttal

The Executive

ComplainantEvaluation of the Rebuttal
Continuation ofinvestigation

Termination ofinvestigation
Council & members

Member Zoo

NotifyNotifyOther Organisations
MemberZoo

Formation ofEthics tem

Terms of Reference

Investigation format

Gather information &verify facts

Investigation

Complainant

Date

Compiling ofteam report

Presentation of report and recommendations to

The Executive

Invite CEO of member zoo to attend
an outcomes meeting

Written outcome
notification to:

Press release

Complainant

Council & Members

MemberZoo

Other organisations

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96 of 6CHANGES TO THIS CODE

9.1 Changes to this CODE OF ETHICS may be brought about by a two-thirds majority approval of bypresent Institutional Members at an Annual General Meeting of PAAZAB.
9.2

Proposals for changes shall be submitted in writing to the PAAZAB Executive Director forinclusion in the documentation for an Annual General Meeting of PAAZAB. Proposals for changes
may be made and seconded only by Institutional Members, and must be received by the ExecutiveDirector not less than forty (40) days prior to the AGM.