Accredited sanctuaries for large carnivores generally provide superior welfare to traditional zoos through more naturalistic space, social groupings, and absence of public interaction requirements.
The welfare difference between legitimate accredited sanctuaries and traditional zoo settings for large carnivores is substantial and measurable. Sanctuaries that provide multiple acres of naturalistic space show dramatically lower rates of stereotypic behavior. The absence of required public viewing allows management decisions to prioritize animal behavior rather than exhibit visibility. The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries accreditation provides a reliable way for the public to distinguish genuine sanctuaries from pseudo-sanctuary tourist attractions that exploit the sanctuary name while maintaining welfare-compromising practices.