Introduction

We all enjoy getting close to wild animals so we can see, hear, smell and maybe touch the real thing. It's about learning. It's about experiencing. It's aboutfinding out about this rich world we live in.

That's the gift we receive from exhibited animals at places like zoos but it's vital that these animals are cared for in a way that's good for us and good for them.

The Animal Welfare Unit works together with exhibitors to ensure that the displayed animals get quality care at:

• zoos and wildlife parks
• aquariums and oceanariums
• circuses and travelling animal displays.

Caring for animals

We are working with the exhibitors to see that their animals are managed in the best possible way.

The animals need all the usual things like food and water… and it's important that the displays be as natural as possible. This makes the animals feel at home and allows them to show their normal behaviours.

We all learn more about the animals that way and it benefits their general well-being.

Learning about animals

We are committed to developing exhibits of animals in natural settings. This encourages community appreciation of animals and the environment. It's more than just putting an animal in a cage. We work with exhibitors to create displays that tell a story. Creative displays make people want to explore and learn. Quality exhibits bring people closer to animals and Nature.

Safe exhibits

The beauty of exhibited animals is that they broaden our horizons and our appreciation of the natural world. But we need to realise that these animals aren't tame. They have skills and instincts that make them unique and sometimes dangerous.

We want people to have close access to the exhibited animals without any danger. We're concerned about the well-being of all… the people and the animals.

Making it all work

We operate through the Exhibited Animals Protection Act. It creates a medium for interaction and cooperation with the Industry. Through it, we work with exhibitors to ensure the highest standards of care, presentation and safety.

Independent of the licensing requirements, we make sure that there is regular contact and liaison with exhibitors. Our inspectors regularly visit the animal exhibitions in NewSouth Wales.

Exhibited Animals Protection Act - who's in charge?

The people of NSW are ‘in charge'; the Act is supervised by a team that includes scientists, environmentalists, agriculturists, animal welfarists, administrators and vets.

The team is called EAAC (the Exhibited Animals Advisory Committee), and it meets to thrash out the issues and find common ground.

That's what the Animal Welfare Unit is all about - finding the common ground for the difficult animal care issues in our community. It's about understanding different points of view and finding a common path towards excellence in animal care.