Commitments

Animal welfare. Research work carried out at the Zoo or with its collection of animals should take account of the physical and psychological welfare of the animals on which the research is being done, ensuring the highest levels of well-being and without using invasive or intrusive techniques except where they are compatible with the normal handling of the species involved. Research will be carried out by qualified researchers and will adhere to EAZA Research Standards (1997). Research which is aimed at improving animal welfare will therefore be of special interest.

Safety. The health and safety of the animals subject to research and all personnel involved (Zoo workers, external researchers and external personnel) must be the highest priority and must be guaranteed in any event or situation. Where the research takes place within the Zoo's grounds, the health and safety of the public must also be ensured.

Conservation. Given that resources for research are always limited, priority will always be given to research work applied to species’ survival and maintaining biodiversity. Particular importance will be given to those species whose conservation the Zoo has been involved and for which it has the necessary facilities and tools to be able to work on ex situ conservation programmes. This means that the animals living in the Zoo will draw the greatest benefit and will also serve as examples within its education programmes.

Endangered species. In accordance with IUCN recommendations, any research work on endangered species, or which may affect endangered species, will have the moral responsibility not to put their conservation at risk while increasing their chances of survival.

Diffusion of knowledge. The contents of research projects will be made available to the public and published in specialist magazines; we will also help ensure they are distributed as widely as possible.

Assessing quality. In order to obtain financing under Barcelona Zoo’s specific research budget, all research proposals must go through an audit process that assesses their suitability and viability and will be periodically evaluated as they progress.

Society. Barcelona Zoo’s research work is also committed to society in general as part of its public service remit.

In order to meet its commitments, Barcelona Zoo’s Research and Conservation Programme will focus on four main areas of research:

Commitments
Research applied to conservation - both in-situ and ex-situ at global level. The Zoo therefore defines as one of its primary objectives, fully involving itself in one of the activities most demanded by society: the fight against species extinction. It also adheres to the action strategies set out by the WAZA and the EAZA as well as legal, local and regional regulations.
Research applied to animal welfare and understanding species in their environment. This is one of the priorities recommended by the WAZA and the EAZA and is one of the main objectives of zoos. It is essential to reach other goals such as breeding, maintaining natural behaviour in captivity and conserving endangered species. The Zoo meets its commitment to the animals that live within its site, according to its own ethical standards and demands of the majority of citizens.
Research applied to the protection of biodiversity in the city of Barcelona. This work supports the commitment made when Barcelona’s Agenda 21 was signed, following the dynamics and agreement from signing the Aalborg Charter. This type of research carried out on animals living close to the people of Barcelona and the city’s catchment area makes the research work more relevant and better disseminated, thus strengthening the message. It also helps visitors understand the wild animals that have found refuge in the Zoo, which acts as an oasis right in the middle of the city.
Research applied to wildlife in the Mediterranean area. This reinforces the conservation objective in our immediate environment.