Peterborough is changing how animal care and welfare decisions are handled at Riverview Park and Zoo to ensure the facility continues meeting national accreditation standards.
City council has approved delegating authority over animal care and welfare support operations to the Commissioner of Community Services and designated staff, within the council-approved budget.
The change is intended to maintain compliance with governance requirements established by Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums, or CAZA.
Under CAZA standards, operational decisions involving animal care must be made by qualified animal care professionals.
Those responsibilities include decisions surrounding the zoo’s animal collection, veterinary care, animal transfers, enrichment programs, emergency response and other day-to-day animal management matters.
Riverview Park and Zoo is a longstanding CAZA member.
CAZA accreditation indicates that a facility meets established Canadian standards covering animal welfare, veterinary care, conservation, education, safety, governance and professional operations.
The city says maintaining accreditation also allows the zoo to participate in collaborative conservation, research and animal management programs with other institutions.
Founded in 1975, CAZA represents more than 30 zoological parks, aquariums, museums and science centres across Canada.
