Animal welfare at Museums Victoria

Museums Victoria are committed to providing the very best welfare for the animals in our care and are committed to the ongoing education of our staff on positive animal welfare practices.

We instil in our staff the values of respect and consideration for the animals in our care and for our country’s unique wildlife.

At Museums Victoria, the health and wellbeing of our animals is paramount.  Our Live Exhibit staff, who are directly responsible for the animals in Melbourne Museum’s care, will always:

• Ensure our animals have the appropriate environmental infrastructure for their species, and design enclosures to encourage and promote natural species behaviours.
• Provide a species appropriate, nutritionally balanced diet to maintain the physical health of our animals.
• Provide mental stimulation with positive and rewarding experiences, and opportunities for our animals to display natural species-specific behaviours (e.g. intra specific social opportunities, foraging, play, etc.).
• Provide preventative health care where appropriate and provide veterinary health care promptly when required to keep our animals free from injury, disease or suffering.
• Daily monitoring of individual animals’ behaviour, health and appearance and subsequent diligent record keeping.
• Respond promptly to any animal welfare concerns raised by staff or members of the public .
• Strictly comply with relevant licence/permit obligations and subsequent animal welfare regulations and legislation:
   
  • Wildlife Act 1975 and Wildlife Regulations 2024
  • Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986
  • Code of practice for the public display of exhibition of animals
  • Code of Practice for the Housing of Caged Birds
  • Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes 8th edition 2013