Zoo accreditation bodies including EAZA, AZA and BIAZA set standards for member institutions. Understanding what accreditation requires and where welfare standards could be strengthened helps advocates engage effectively.
Zoo accreditation provides an imperfect but important welfare floor. Accredited zoos meet minimum standards for animal care, veterinary provision and exhibit design that are demonstrably better than unaccredited alternatives. However, accreditation standards often lag behind welfare science - requirements set years ago may not reflect current evidence on space, social needs and positive welfare. The gap between minimum accreditation standards and exemplary welfare practice is significant, and consumers should look for institutions that go beyond compliance. EAZA's emerging Welfare Strategy and the growing use of behavioural welfare indicators in assessments represent positive development, but advocacy for more ambitious standards from within and outside the zoo community is important.