Animals
Imani the hippo undergoes historic cataract surgery at Dublin Zoo
Fri 12 DecemberOperation gives visually impaired female hippo sight in her left eye
Animals
Dublin Zoo’s Commitment to Animal Welfare Confirmed by Global Humane Certification
Tue 02 2025 - 1 min read
Dublin Zoo is proud to announce that it has been officially recognised as a Global Humane Certified Zoo, a prestigious certification awarded by Global Humane Society, the international organisation dedicated to helping ensure high standards of animal welfare in zoos, aquariums, and conservation parks worldwide.
Dr. Christoph Schwitzer, Director of Dublin Zoo commented on this momentous achievement for Dublin Zoo:
“Achieving Global Humane Certification underlines Dublin Zoo’s unwavering commitment to animal welfare. This independent, voluntary inspection commended Dublin Zoo on our dedicated work in providing exceptional welfare to the animals in our care while educating and inspiring the next generation of conservationists.”
“This honour places us among an elite group of institutions worldwide, reaffirming that the wellbeing of our animals is at the heart of everything we do. For Dublin Zoo this is a non-negotiable and the pre-requisite to all the other work we do here, from conservation education to providing an exceptional experience for our visitors.”
“This certification is a testament to years of dedication, innovation, and continuous improvement by our animal care and veterinary teams,” added Miguel Bueno Brinkmann, General Curator at Dublin Zoo. “It recognises not only the high standards we have in place but also our commitment to always evolving, ensuring the best possible welfare for the animals in our care.”
This certification affirms Dublin Zoo’s ongoing commitment to the well-being of the animals in its care, meeting and exceeding rigorous welfare standards set by Global Humane Society. The certification process involved a comprehensive assessment of Dublin Zoo’s animal care practices and welfare policies, helping ensure that every species within the zoo thrives in an environment that prioritises their health, safety, and enrichment.
“We are thrilled that Dublin Zoo has met the standards to become Global Humane Certified,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of Global Humane Society. “This zoo cares for numerous vital species and they have a pioneering Centre for Species Survival, which directly contributes to conservation efforts in Ireland. This certification provides Global Humane Society with the opportunity to recognize the extensive reach of the animal welfare movement at zoos, aquariums and conservation parks around the world.”
Dublin Zoo joins a select group of leading zoological institutions worldwide that have achieved Global Humane certification, reinforcing its role as a leader in ethical animal care and conservation.
For over 190 years, Dublin Zoo has been a cornerstone of wildlife conservation and education in Ireland, welcoming generations of visitors and playing a key role in global conservation initiatives. This new accreditation further strengthens its mission to protect endangered species and educate the public on the importance of biodiversity and animal welfare.
To be recognized as Global Humane Certified, the Dublin Zoo passed a rigorous independent assessment that reviewed the wellbeing of animals in their care. The unique process is guided by the latest science and best practices and is informed by respected veterinarians and experts in the fields of animal welfare, animal science, zoology and ethics who have decades of experience in protecting animals.
The independent validation process provides visitors with confidence that the institution is meeting a high benchmark of care. The process includes submission of a pre-audit application, followed by an onsite audit that assesses animal welfare. Factors considered during the audit include, but are not limited to, housing, food, water, lighting, shade, sound, activity levels and the training of staff who are interacting with the animals. The benchmarks are species specific.
This certification affirms Dublin Zoo’s ongoing commitment to the well-being of the animals in its care, meeting and exceeding rigorous welfare standards set by Global Humane Society. The certification process involved a comprehensive assessment of Dublin Zoo’s animal care practices and welfare policies, helping ensure that every species within the zoo thrives in an environment that prioritises their health, safety, and enrichment.
“We are thrilled that Dublin Zoo has met the standards to become Global Humane Certified,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of Global Humane Society. “This zoo cares for numerous vital species and they have a pioneering Centre for Species Survival, which directly contributes to conservation efforts in Ireland. This certification provides Global Humane Society with the opportunity to recognize the extensive reach of the animal welfare movement at zoos, aquariums and conservation parks around the world.”
Dublin Zoo joins a select group of leading zoological institutions worldwide that have achieved Global Humane certification, reinforcing its role as a leader in ethical animal care and conservation.
For over 190 years, Dublin Zoo has been a cornerstone of wildlife conservation and education in Ireland, welcoming generations of visitors and playing a key role in global conservation initiatives. This new accreditation further strengthens its mission to protect endangered species and educate the public on the importance of biodiversity and animal welfare.
To be recognized as Global Humane Certified, the Dublin Zoo passed a rigorous independent assessment that reviewed the wellbeing of animals in their care. The unique process is guided by the latest science and best practices and is informed by respected veterinarians and experts in the fields of animal welfare, animal science, zoology and ethics who have decades of experience in protecting animals.
The independent validation process provides visitors with confidence that the institution is meeting a high benchmark of care. The process includes submission of a pre-audit application, followed by an onsite audit that assesses animal welfare. Factors considered during the audit include, but are not limited to, housing, food, water, lighting, shade, sound, activity levels and the training of staff who are interacting with the animals. The benchmarks are species specific.
