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 Published Friday, June 26, 2020 Zoo
gets international recognition
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff The
international organization American Humane
awarded, for the second consecutive year, the
“Humane Certified TM” to the Simón Bolívar Zoo and National
Botanical Garden, announced on
Thursday the Pro- Zoo Foundation, the organization
in charge of the zoo.
According to the foundation, the zoo met the high standards expected by the organization in the welfare and humanitarian treatment of the animals in their care. Overcoming a rigorous external audit, the zoo obtained, for the second time, the prestigious recognition of Humane Certified TM, becoming the first Central American institution to be part of organizations worldwide, which have achieved accreditation through the program American Humane Conservation, said the foundation in its statement. Founded in 1877, American Humane Conservation is the first national organization in the U.S. committed to animals. Some of the zoos that have obtained this certification are Denver Zoo, Busch Gardens Tampa, Aquatica Orlando, Fort Worth Zoo, San Antonio Zoo, and Woodland Park Zoo, among others. The American Humane Conservation Program is the first certification program dedicated exclusively to verifying the humane treatment of animals that inhabit zoos, aquariums, and conservation centers around the world. "We are delighted to recognize the Simón Bolívar National Zoological Park and Botanical Garden as the first place in Central America to receive the seal of approval from the American Humane Certified TM program," said Robin Ganzert, Ph.D., president and CEO of American Humane. "Significant improvements have been made to the facility over time to become certified and provide verifiable and transparent humanitarian care to animals." According to Yolanda Matamoros, director of the zoo, the requirements of the World Organization of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) as well as the Botanic Garden Conservation International (BGCI) organization, have been met in the Costa Rican zoo. The broad criteria of the American Humane Conservation program verifies the multiple dimensions of animal welfare and good health, in areas of evaluation that include: health, housing; positive social interactions within groups of animals, as well as between animals and caretakers, among others, said the the foundation in its statement. The Simón Bolívar Zoo and Botanical Garden is located in Barrio Amon in San José Province. It is open to the public from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The foundation also manages the Santa Ana Animal Conservation Center, which is located on the premises of the Historical Agricultural Museum in the Santa Ana district in San José Province, which shares the same schedule as the zoo. Tickets for both parks cost $6, which must be reserved by phone 506-2223-1790. The income from the sale of tickets is used to finance the expenses of feeding the zoo animals. -------------------------- Have you visited the Simón Bolívar Zoo or Santa Ana Animal Conservation Center? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
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