Animal Acquisition Policy
In order to ensure the consistent, professional and ethical management of the animals in our care, Earth Rangers is dedicated to the highest standards in its acquisition practices.
The following outlines the mandatory requirements for animals acquisitioned into the Earth Ranger Ambassador Program.
All acquisitions must:
- Meet the requirements of all applicable municipal, provincial, federal and international regulations and laws.
- Be consistent with Earth Rangers' mission by addressing our education and conservation goals.
- Consist of animals (individually or as a group) that cannot be released into the wild.
- Ensure that Earth Rangers has the necessary resources to support and provide for the professional care of the intended animal(s) for its entire natural life.
- Come from facilities that are known to operate legally and conduct their business in a manner that reflects and / or supports the goals of Earth Rangers, the Canadian Aquarium and Zoo Association and or the American Zoo Association.
- Comply with and undergo Earth Rangers' Quarantine Procedure.
Earth Rangers believes that by ensuring the execution of the above listed practices, it is providing the proper forum for the successful acquisition of our animals while remaining consistent with our mission of Inspiring Children with a Lasting Passion to Build a Better Future.
Animal Training Policy
Earth Rangers is dedicated to promoting a safe, responsible, ethical and enriching animal training program. Our goal is to ensure the highest of standards in our animal training practices and as such mandate that the following requirements for animals being trained in the Earth Rangers Animal Ambassador Program are met:
- All Ambassadors will be trained through the process of positive reinforcement.*
- Ambassadors will be trained to demonstrate actions or tasks considered to be part of their natural behavior. These behaviors will serve as a tool to educate our audience about wildlife and the environment.
- Training programs will move at the pace of the individual animal to ensure that the behaviors being learned are an enriching experience.
- Training programs must be executed with the safety of the animals and the trainers in mind and must not negatively affect the physical or behavioral health of the animal.
- Training staff must complete all of the practical and written Earth Ranger Animal Handler training program levels associated with the animal that is being trained prior to engaging in any training sessions.
- All training practices must comply with any standards established by legislation and/or the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Earth Rangers believes that by ensuring the execution of the above listed practices, it is providing the proper forum for the successful training of our Ambassadors while remaining consistent with our mission of inspiring children with a lasting passion to build a better future.
*Positive reinforcement is a training method that reinforces good behavior through reward and ignores bad behavior.
P. Woerner
December 2, 2006
Earth Rangers’ Animal Ethics Policy
Earth Rangers upholds the highest ethical care for all of its animal ambassadors.
Animal Acquisition
- Earth Rangers only acquires animals that cannot be released into the wild.
- Earth Rangers only acquires animals from facilities/institutions that uphold Earth Rangers standards.
- All animal acquisitions support Earth Rangers’ mission and help fulfill its education and conservation goals.
Animal Welfare
- The welfare of our ambassadors is paramount to all other activities.
- Earth Rangers is responsible for our ambassadors for their entire natural life.
- Our Ambasssador Program conducts its business in a manner that meets or exceeds Canadian Aquarium and Zoo Association (CAZA) standards.
- Housing is of a size and nature that addresses the specific needs of each species, and allows them to express natural behaviours.
- Professional veterinary care is secured and available on a 24 hour basis.
- Ambassadors are only restrained by tethering during initial training, educational programming and, when necessary, for medical treatment.
Ambassador Programs
- All Ambassador activities are based on natural behaviours.
- Our ambassadors serve as educational instruments to inform audiences about wildlife and the environment.
- All ambassadors participate in a training and assessment program before taking part in any public forums.
- During presentations, all reasonable precautions are taken to ensure the health and safety of the ambassadors, staff and the general public.
Ethics Committee
- An Ethics Committee comprised of staff and external experts in the fields of animal education, medicine and law oversee the approval of all protocols and practices outlined in this declaration.
P Woerner
June 3, 2008