(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Today, American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare and well-being, announced that the Fort Worth Zoo achieved certification by the global American Humane Conservation program. The Fort Worth Zoo passed a rigorous third-party audit to earn the prestigious Humane Certified™ seal of approval, joining an elite group of only seven such institutions in the United States.

The American Humane Conservation program is the first-ever certification program solely devoted to helping verify the humane treatment of animals living in zoos, aquariums, and conservation centers across the globe. The program enforces rigorous, evidence-based standards of comprehensive animal welfare, developed by an independent Scientific Advisory Committee comprised of world-renowned leaders in the fields of animal science, animal behavior, animal ethics, and conservation.

“American Humane is thrilled to recognize the Fort Worth Zoo with its prestigious Humane Certified™ seal of approval, demonstrating to the public Fort Worth Zoo’s leadership as a responsible, humane steward of the thousands of animals living in its care,” said American Humane President and CEO Dr. Robin Ganzert. “The certification of the Fort Worth Zoo by the American Humane Conservation program demonstrates their commitment to meeting the highest standards of humane, verifiable, and transparent animal care.”

“We are honored to have achieved this prestigious certification from an organization recognized for its tireless dedication to animal welfare,” said Michael Fouraker, Fort Worth Zoo executive director. “Our staff provides the paramount care for our animals, and to have that validated by a third party – and to be placed among the most elite zoos is the country – is a distinction of which we are proud.”

The American Humane Conservation program’s extensive criteria exhaustively verifies the many dimensions of animal welfare and well-being, with areas of evaluation including: excellent health and housing; positive social interactions within groups of animals, as well as between animals and handlers; safe and stimulating environments, with concern for factors such as appropriate lighting, sound levels, air quality, and thermoregulation; and evidence of thorough preparation and protocols established to prevent and manage medical or operational emergencies.

For added rigor, the Fort Worth Zoo’s compliance with the American Humane Conservation standards was verified through an independent audit.

You can read more about the American Humane Conservation program here: http://humaneconservation.org/

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