Open daily 9:30am-5:00pm Last Admission: 4:30pm
animal welfare The BC Wildlife Park is committed to the highest animal welfare standards; encompassing both ethical and scientific responsibilities. We strive to exceed standards for the overall wellbeing of all animals in our care - including both the permanent residents, and the patients in the Fawcett Family Wildlife Health Centre. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) refers to animal welfare as 'an animal's collective physical, mental, and emotional states over a period of time, and is measured on a continuum from good to poor.' Animal welfare is a human responsibility; encompassing all aspects of the animal's well-being including proper housing, management, disease prevention and treatment, responsible care, and humane handling. The fundamental core of all definitions is that an animal experiences good animal welfare if it is free from pain, stress, or discomfort, is well nourished, comfortable, safe, and can perform natural behaviours.
The BC Wildlife Park is committed to the highest animal welfare standards; encompassing both ethical and scientific responsibilities. We strive to exceed standards for the overall wellbeing of all animals in our care - including both the permanent residents, and the patients in the Fawcett Family Wildlife Health Centre.
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) refers to animal welfare as 'an animal's collective physical, mental, and emotional states over a period of time, and is measured on a continuum from good to poor.'
Animal welfare is a human responsibility; encompassing all aspects of the animal's well-being including proper housing, management, disease prevention and treatment, responsible care, and humane handling. The fundamental core of all definitions is that an animal experiences good animal welfare if it is free from pain, stress, or discomfort, is well nourished, comfortable, safe, and can perform natural behaviours.
The five freedoms (Adapted from the UK Farm Animal Welfare Council At the BC Wildlife Park, we constantly assess the welfare of our animals by using the 5 welfare domains as our framework. This allows us to ensure that the animals in our care are given all opportunities to thrive. 1. Freedom from hunger and thirst. Providing a species suitable diet provided in a way that ensures physical and mental health. 2. Freedom from discomfort. Providing opportunities to self-maintain and promote comfort. 3. Freedom from pain, injury, or disease. Providing a wellness program, rapid diagnosis, and treatment. 4. Freedom to express normal behaviour. Encouraging and providing social opportunities and provision for species appropriate and diverse behaviours. 5. Freedom from fear and distress. Ensuring conditions and treatment avoid mental or physical suffering by allowing choice and control.
(Adapted from the UK Farm Animal Welfare Council
At the BC Wildlife Park, we constantly assess the welfare of our animals by using the 5 welfare domains as our framework. This allows us to ensure that the animals in our care are given all opportunities to thrive.
1. Freedom from hunger and thirst. Providing a species suitable diet provided in a way that ensures physical and mental health.
2. Freedom from discomfort. Providing opportunities to self-maintain and promote comfort.
3. Freedom from pain, injury, or disease. Providing a wellness program, rapid diagnosis, and treatment.
4. Freedom to express normal behaviour. Encouraging and providing social opportunities and provision for species appropriate and diverse behaviours.
5. Freedom from fear and distress. Ensuring conditions and treatment avoid mental or physical suffering by allowing choice and control.
Questions and Concerns Who can I talk to about animal care or animal habitats at the BC Wildlife Park? If you have questions or concerns about a specific animal, habitat, or how the BC Wildlife Park cares for our animals, email Animal Care Manager Tracy Reynolds. If you would like to make an anonymous submission regarding animal welfare concerns, please report your concern here.
If you have questions or concerns about a specific animal, habitat, or how the BC Wildlife Park cares for our animals, email Animal Care Manager Tracy Reynolds.
If you would like to make an anonymous submission regarding animal welfare concerns, please report your concern here.