Animal Wellness
The Texas State Aquarium is committed to improving the lives of each individual animal in our care by implementing a comprehensive welfare program to make evidence-based management decisions, and utilizing this knowledge to further the significance of our mission to serve foremost as a conservation organization.
What is animal wellness?
Animal wellness (known in other zoos and aquariums as “animal welfare” or “animal care”) refers to an animal’s collective physical, mental, and emotional states over a period of time. Animals typically experience good welfare when they are healthy, well-nourished, safe and comfortable and can express species-typical relationships, behaviors, and cognitive abilities.
Why is animal wellness important?
Aquarium staff, volunteers, and supports alike all have a great love for animals, which is first and foremost why it’s so important for us to give them the best lives possible. But animal wellness also has countless benefits, since animals that receive proper care are often healthier, have greater reproductive success, and make great animal ambassadors for our guests – allowing for educational opportunities that can inspire others to preserve and protect wildlife at home at around the world.
How does the Aquarium practice animal wellness?
As a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, The Texas State Aquarium maintains and seeks out superior standards of animal care which are self-regulated and monitored through regular facility inspections.
For every individual animal under our care, we’re constantly considering its overall wellness based on objective, evidence-based physical and psychological measure of welfare, including current research and animal care standards.
Discover in the links below more on how we provide animal wellness and the benefits that can result!