Fundamental Concepts, Knowledge Gaps and Key Concerns Relating to Welfare and Survival of Stranded Cetaceans

Abstract

Wildlife management can influence animal welfare and survival, although both are often not explicitly integrated into decision making. This study explores fundamental concepts and key concerns relating to the welfare and survival of stranded cetaceans. Using the Delphi method, the opinions of an international, interdisciplinary expert panel were gathered, regarding the characterisation of stranded cetacean welfare and survival likelihood, knowledge gaps and key concerns. Experts suggest that stranded cetacean welfare should be characterised based on interrelated aspects of animals’ biological function, behaviour, and mental state and the impacts of human interventions. The characterisation of survival likelihood should reflect aspects of stranded animals’ biological functioning and behaviour as well as a 6-month post-re-floating survival marker. Post-release monitoring was the major knowledge gap for survival. Welfare knowledge gaps related to diagnosing internal injuries, interpreting behavioural and physiological parameters, and euthanasia decision making. Twelve concerns were highlighted for both welfare and survival likelihood, including difficulty breathing and organ compression, skin damage and physical traumas, separation from conspecifics, and suffering and stress due to stranding and human intervention. These findings indicate inextricable links between perceptions of welfare state and the likely survival of stranded cetaceans and demonstrate a need to integrate welfare science alongside conservation biology to achieve effective, ethical management at strandings.

Evaluating Potential Cetacean Welfare Indicators from Video of Live Stranded Long-Finned Pilot Whales (Globicephala melas edwardii)

“…A range of indicators related to different aspects of welfare were feasibly evaluated via video footage captured at cetacean strandings. Not only is this useful to enable remote experts to undertake animal assessments [ 32 , 38 ] but the non-invasive measurability of these indicators minimises further welfare compromise for cetaceans that are experiencing physiological stress [ 29 , 30 ]. Although invasive measures (e.g., blood sampling to evaluate haematological parameters) are informative for assessing the health of wild cetaceans [ 62 , 63 , 64 ], the use of non-invasive methods for welfare assessments is preferable.…”

“…However, few studies interpret their findings in terms of welfare or discuss possible welfare implications [ 9 ]. During live strandings, cetaceans are subject to both natural [ 29 , 30 ] and anthropogenic stressors [ 31 ] that may affect their welfare and survival likelihood [ 32 ]. Unfortunately, thus far, such data concerning behavioural and physiological indicators have not been gathered.…”

“…Major knowledge gaps concerning the welfare of stranded cetaceans were identified by international experts to be interpreting behavioural and physiological parameters, diagnosing internal injuries, and making end-of-life decisions [ 32 ]. Furthermore, these experts stated that major barriers to assessing the welfare of stranded cetaceans related to the limited relevant data collection at strandings and the lack of experts available onsite to interpret parameters and assist in decision making [ 32 ].…”

“…Major knowledge gaps concerning the welfare of stranded cetaceans were identified by international experts to be interpreting behavioural and physiological parameters, diagnosing internal injuries, and making end-of-life decisions [ 32 ]. Furthermore, these experts stated that major barriers to assessing the welfare of stranded cetaceans related to the limited relevant data collection at strandings and the lack of experts available onsite to interpret parameters and assist in decision making [ 32 ]. Notably, the characterisation of stranded cetacean welfare by those experts aligned with contemporary animal welfare science, which interprets interrelated aspects of health, biological function, and behaviour in terms of their impact on the animal’s mental state [ 33 , 34 ].…”

“…In this study we examined the feasibility of assessing animal-based and resource-/management-based indicators proposed by experts at live cetacean stranding events [ 38 ]. Furthermore, since experts highlighted the need for assessments to be undertaken by remote, skilled personnel [ 32 ], we evaluated which indicators can be observed and/or measured using video footage gathered at live strandings.…”