Every zoo has to ensure the welfare of its animals (box
18). Animals in the zoo that are provided with the best
of care will stay healthier, produce more offspring and
have a longer lifespan.
There are five important principles to keep in
mind when considering animal welfare (box 19). This
chapter will give a short overview of these needs. The
basic way of ensuring good animal welfare is to look
how the animals live in the wild. Zoos should make an
effort to keep their animals in a way that resembles the
life of the species in the wild.