Featured Image Credit: Mystic Aquarium
By Jessica Kittel
Get it? Seal of approval. For an aquarium…
Anyways, this is definitely something the Mystic Aquarium, located in Stonington, Connecticut, can be proud of.
Humane Certified is an American Humane certification program, and it is the world’s largest certifier of the welfare and humane treatment of animals based in working and other environments. According to the Humane Conservation website, this certification is based on a scientific foundation and focuses on evidence-based practices. To decide if practices are humane, they apply the knowledge of independent third-party experts, behaviorists, scientists, and ethicists. The standards they base the certification on attest to the proper practices found at deserving zoos and aquariums.
This certification aims to assure the public that they can support these institutions without feeling like they are doing the animal residents any disservice.
As Stated on the Mystic Aquarium website by American Humane President and CEO Dr. Robin Ganzert:
“The certification of Mystic Aquarium by the American Humane Conservation program shows the institution’s commitment to meeting the highest standards of humane, verifiable, and transparent animal care. American Humane is proud to recognize this world-class institution with its prestigious Humane Certified seal of approval, demonstrating to the public Mystic Aquarium’s leadership as a responsible, humane steward of the remarkable animals living in its care.”
The Mystic Aquarium went through a thorough third-party audit to confirm that all of the animal residents were receiving good welfare and humane treatment. The audit was particularly complimentary regarding the marine mammal areas stating that they excelled at planning each day with the animals’ learning, social, and husbandry objectives as a major consideration.
The Mystic Aquarium is in good company. Other certified institutions include the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, Ocean Park Hong Kong, the Georgia Aquarium, Delphinus, Shedd Aquarium, Vancouver Aquarium, and Chicago Zoological Society’s Brookfield Zoo.