We're accredited by the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia
We at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium care deeply for all our creatures, from our Dugong -Pig, to our mischievous little Penguins. So, when we are talking about welfare, we refer to the different feelings and sensations each animal under our care experiences, ranging from positive to negative, given the conditions in which it lives in.
We are accredited by the Zoo and Aquarium Association of Australasia (ZAA). This means you can be rest assured that our aquarium has been assessed by a reputable, independent regional association. To achieve ZAA accreditation a thorough assessment is conducted by an expert team to ensure organisations are striving and achieving best practice animal welfare, conservation, sustainability, safety, and biosecurity.
We support a high level of animal welfare by using the Five Domains Model. The 5 domains model is a science-based tool for assessing and supporting animal welfare. First, we assess the first four domains (Nutrition, Environment, Health and Behaviour), which builds a picture of the fifth domain (Mental Domain) and the overall welfare of the animal.
The 5 Domains
Nutrition
Animals have diets that they enjoy and find pleasurable and engaging. No hungry animals here!
Environment
Our animals experience the many pleasures and comforts their environment provides. Such as temperatures, sounds, air and water quality, and comfortable substrates.
Health
Our Animals enjoy good health, through regular veterinary care, which allows them to engage in pleasurable activities that their good health allows them to do.
Behaviour
Our animals can interact with their environments and other animals in ways that result in pleasant and rewarding experiences, such as excitation from play, social bonding, foraging, and living confidently within their enriched habitats.
Mental
Based on the assessment of the 4 physical Domains, we know our animals experience various positive emotions that allow them to live fulfilling lives.
The Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA) Accreditation
At ZAA there is no monkeying around when it comes to getting accredited. Accreditation involves a thorough process where zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, and wildlife parks must provide compelling evidence on their operations, policies and the actual experiences of their animals. This assessment goes beyond the minimum legal government requirements placed on zoos and aquariums, using the Five Domains model to reach a higher standard and continuously support positive animal welfare.
Discover more about ZAA and the work that they do down below.
