Valenciano no zoo meets all the requirements of Zoos Act, which became operational in 2003 following a European Directive, according to a report presented today at a press conference by the NGO InfoZoos.

The main weaknesses identified in the ten parks surveyed are concerned with the lack of security, weak or nonexistent education program of most zoos and low participation in conservation programs, as required by current legislation.

According to Alberto Díez spokesman InfoZoos to correct these faults "inspections by the competent regional authority should move from an initial phase, summary, other in-depth."

"For each and every park concept the Government should establish recommendations on changes to make, including deadlines, as well as periodic inspections to verify that the laws are met. The continuity of the activity of a zoo, including the authorization, must be linked to strict compliance with the changes proposed by the competent authority, "he asserted.

The recommendations of InfoZoos:

- Conservation: premiums should be promoted and those programs are affecting native species, preferably, recommending the abandonment of captive-breeding programs that have no value for the conservation of the species. Valencians in zoos are a rich genetic and species conservation interest that are not utilized.

- Education: educational activities, where they exist, are generally isolated and punctual. The Government should require programs where guided tours, educational classroom posters and act in a unified way towards achieving some specific and measurable deliverables. The animal shows or photo shoots must be removed since they fall in direct contradiction with any educational program.

- Environmental Quality: Valencians zoos need to improve such basic issues for animal welfare as lack of space, the incorrect composition of the groups or stress caused by contact or proximity of a human being.

- Safety: we should act urgently to prevent contact between the public and animals, properly mark the presence of dangerous animals and prevent animal species outside the park to enter the facility.


Source: InfoZoos. Infozoos platform is an NGO devoted to the study of the status of zoos in Spain. It comprises DEPANA (Barcelona), Born Free Foundation (UK) and ANDA (Madrid).