Bermuda’s Dolphin Quest has joined an elite group of institutions around the world to have attained certification under the global American Humane Conservation programme.

A team of auditors from American Humane, the country’s first national humane organisation and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare, came to the island to conduct a rigorous inspection of the facility as well as of its sister facilities in Oahu and Hawaii.

On completion they joined a group of fewer than a dozen institutions worldwide to have earned the programme’s Humane Certified Seal.

Certification in the American Humane Conservation programme is dependent upon the results of an independent, third-party audit.

Dr Rae Stone, marine mammal veterinarian and co-founder of Dolphin Quest, said: “We are excited and honoured to have all three of our Dolphin Quest locations certified by American Humane.

“No one loves dolphins more than we do, so this independent third-party review by the world’s most respected humane organisation is an excellent affirmation by animal experts that our animals are humanely cared for and are thriving under Dolphin Quest’s care.”

Dr Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane added: “Dolphin Quest’s certification by the American Humane Conservation programme signals the institution’s commitment to voluntarily meeting the highest standards of humane, verifiable, and transparent animal care.”