Auckland Zoo is a science-driven modern zoo with a conservation mission ‘to bring people together to build a future for wildlife’.

As such, the Zoo recognises that the animals in its care are a unique and valuable resource for scientific study which can provide information of great value to the enhancement of animal welfare through advances in veterinary medicine and husbandry, and to the conservation of threatened wildlife.

The Zoo further considers that, when housed, handled and presented appropriately, live animals can elicit positive emotions in zoo visitors and convey powerful educational messages that help inform and influence people to care for animals and to inspire them to support the conservation of wildlife.

Animals at the Zoo and in the wild, may therefore be part of research, testing and teaching (RTT) if the activity is integrated into routine animal care, veterinary procedure, and/or if the outcomes of the research will provide a net benefit to the welfare and/or conservation of the animal/species or other species at the Zoo or in the wild.

Only research with little to no direct impact on the study animal(s) is undertaken – for example, behavioural studies or the collection of samples during scheduled veterinary procedures - and must be endorsed by the Zoo’s curators and veterinarians and approved by the Head of Animal Care & Conservation for submission to and approval by, the Zoo’s Animal Ethics Committee (AEC).

Under the Animal Welfare Act 1999, institutions undertaking RTT in New Zealand must do so according to an approved Code of Ethical Conduct and all projects must be reviewed and approved by an Animal Ethics Committee. Animal Ethics Committees are made up of a group of at least four members with diverse backgrounds and knowledge in science and research, animal welfare, public concerns, and veterinary medicine. Auckland Zoo’s committee has a minimum of six members including two staff members (a senior zoo veterinarian and a senior staff member who is also the AEC convenor) and four external members comprising nominations from Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RNZSPCA) and the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA), a layperson nominated by Auckland Council, and a Mātauranga Māori Advisor.

The Animal Ethics Committee weighs any potential negative impacts of the proposed RTT on the affected animal(s) against the potential benefits of the RTT to both the animals, and more widely in terms of advances in veterinary medicine, husbandry and/or conservation. The Animal Ethics Committee also considers if the proposed research follows internationally recognised ethical principles which aim to protect the welfare of animals used in RTT. These principles are reduction, refinement, and replacement - otherwise known as the 3Rs:

  • Reduction aims to reduce the number of animals used in RTT. For example, good scientific design can ensure the number of animals used is the fewest required.
  • Refinement aims to improve the procedures, or the environmental conditions in which animals are housed in RTT. For example, ensuring the provision of suitable climatic variables within a reptile study enclosure or ensuring that social animals are housed in appropriate groups.
  • Replacement aims to replace the use of animals in RTT with non-animal alternatives. For example, schools and universities may use 3D models or videos to teach anatomy rather than dissection of real animals.

This Openness Agreement promotes greater transparency in animal-based research and teaching, encourages communication between the public and research and teaching institutions who undertake research with animals, and drives continuous improvements in animal care to ensure the highest standards of welfare.

Auckland Zoo

Auckland Zoo is a founding signatory of the Australia and New Zealand Committee for the Care of Animals used in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART) Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in New Zealand. This Openness Agreement promotes greater transparency in animal-based research and teaching, encourages communication between the public and research and teaching institutions who undertake research with animals, and drives continuous improvements in animal care to ensure the highest standards of welfare.

There are five commitments that characterise the ANZCCART Openness Agreement:

  1. We will be clear about why and how we use animals in research and teaching.
  2. We will enhance our communications with the media and the public about our use of animals in research and teaching.
  3. We will enhance our communications with tangata whenua about our use of animals in research and teaching.
  4. We will be proactive in providing opportunities for the public to find out about research and teaching using animals.
  5. We will report on progress annually and share our experiences.

You can find out more about the ANZCCART Openness Agreement here.