Zoo Animal Care Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Drowning risks for staff or animals — Install secure barriers around deep water features. Train staff in water safety and rescue procedures. Provide exit ramps in enclosures with water features. Regularly inspect and maintain water structures.
• Water quality issues — Regularly test water sources for contaminants. Maintain filtration and purification systems. Establish protocols for immediate response to water quality issues. Train staff on the importance of water quality and proper maintenance procedures.
• Public safety incidents — Establish clear visitor guidelines and enforce supervised interactions with animals. Provide adequate barriers and signage. Train staff in crowd control and emergency response procedures. Monitor high-risk areas through surveillance systems.
• Stress in animals from handling — Train staff in low-stress handling techniques. Minimize unnecessary handling by using remote monitoring and medical training methods. Ensure enclosures have hiding spaces to reduce anxiety. Develop handling protocols for each species.
• Public feeding of animals — Implement controlled feeding programs with appropriate food items. Supervise public feeding interactions and provide clear instructions to visitors. Educate the public on the dangers of unauthorized feeding. Monitor animal health for signs of dietary issues.