Guide to Good Practice for Animal Interactions

The aim of these Good Practice Guidelines is to improve the sustainable practices of organisations involved in operating captive wild animal attractions & organisations providing wildlife tourism experiences. The primary outcome sought was to improve the welfare & conservation of the animals that are part of such experiences, and of the wider community and environment in which they are found. Increasing sustainability will not only improve the welfare of the animals involved, but will also benefit suppliers, tour operators, conservation and those employed in the attractions.

In addition to the guidelines are checklists that have been developed as a tool for suppliers to assess their performance against key elements of the Good Practice Guidelines. These can also be used by tour operators to assess their own suppliers. Advice is given on what a supplier should do following completion of the checklist, if it identifies failings. The tool will also help inform the development of a FTO code of practice.