The Need for a Convergence of Agricultural/Laboratory and Zoo-based Approaches to Animal Welfare

Ward, Samantha; Hosey, Geoff

doi:10.1080/10888705.2019.1678038

Cited by 17 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 74 publications

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“…The sample sizes of species and number of observation sessions per species in this research are relatively small. Thus, whilst this was representative of species held in the surveyed collections and is typical in zoo research [37,38], we highlight the need for these data to be treated as case studies, and they may not be readily generalised to the wider zoo population. Nevertheless, they serve to highlight a point that has already been raised by Williams et al [5], that COVID-19 zoo closures and subsequent re-openings have had mixed effects on species.…”

Section: Study Limitations and Areas For Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of COVID-19 on Animals in Zoos: A Longitudinal Multi-Species Analysis

Williams

Carter

Rendle

et al. 2021

JZBG

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Prolonged and repetitive COVID-19 facility closures have led to an abrupt cessation of visitors within UK and Irish zoos for variable periods since March 2020. This study sought to increase understanding of the impact of closures and reopenings on animal behaviour, thereby broadening understanding of whether zoo animals habituate to visitors. Data were collected from June to August 2020 at two UK facilities on eight species (n = 1 Chinese goral, n = 2 Grevy’s zebra, n = 11 swamp wallaby, n = 2 Rothschild’s giraffe, n = 2 nyala, n = 4 Chapman’s zebra, n = 2 snow leopard and n = 3 Amur leopard). Behaviour change and enclosure use was variable across species but most changes were non-significant. Grevy’s zebra engaged in more comfort behaviour during closure periods than post-closure (p < 0.05). Chinese goral engaged in more environmental interactions during closure periods (p < 0.05). Grevy’s zebra spent longer than would be expected by chance closest to public viewing areas during closure periods (p < 0.008). These results suggest variable impacts of covid-19 closures and reopenings, mirroring human-animal interaction literature. We highlight the potential for some species to take longer to re-habituate to the presence of zoo visitors. As facility closures/reopenings are ongoing, we advocate a longitudinal monitoring approach. Furthermore, we recommend incorporation of physical and physiological measures of welfare where possible, alongside behavioural responses, to enable a holistic approach to answering fundamental questions on whether zoo animals habituate to visitors.

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Section: Study Limitations and Areas For Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of COVID-19 on Animals in Zoos: A Longitudinal Multi-Species Analysis

Williams

Carter

Rendle

et al. 2021

JZBG

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“…Furthermore, whenever possible, we tested if a behavioral change occurred for each individual animal studied. Given the importance of understanding individual responses [ 58 , 59 , 84 ], we did not want to pool data into an analysis and lose the individual component. We also tried to minimize bias in the representation of the data: not all size classes for visitor abundance were equally represented in all studies, for example.…”

Section: Appendix A1 Study Id 1: Gray Wolfmentioning

confidence: 99%

Widespread Behavioral Responses by Mammals and Fish to Zoo Visitors Highlight Differences between Individual Animals

Boyle

Berry

Cayton

et al. 2020

Animals

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The impact that humans have on zoo animals can vary based on the species of animal, exhibit design, and individual differences in behavioral responses. We independently analyzed data from 10 never-published studies that examined the impact of zoo visitors on zoo animal behavior. Of the 16 species studied, 90.9% of the mammal species and 60.0% of the fish species demonstrated a change in at least one behavior based on zoo visitor abundance or visitor behavior (e.g., noise, solicitation of interactions from zoo animals). In addition, behavioral changes associated with zoo visitors were present in animals housed in exhibits where there was direct contact with zoo visitors, as well as in exhibits where there was indirect contact and no direct contact. Individuals often varied in their behavioral responses, and some individuals appeared to seek out interactions with visitors. Our findings demonstrate that short-term research projects can provide valuable insight into individual animal-level and species-level responses to visitor abundance and visitor behavior in the zoo setting. We recommend that behavioral assessments focus on the analysis of behaviors of individual animals whenever possible, and we recommend that exhibits provide areas that allow for animals to retreat from the public view.

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“…The most recent behavioural welfare assessment tool for elephants was developed as a response to concerns over elephant welfare in UK zoos [ 26 ] and was designed for use by elephant keepers to provide quick and reliable behavioural monitoring for evaluation over time [ 21 ]. Other species-specific tools such as the one developed for dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus ) [ 27 ] or Dorcas Gazelles ( Gazella dorcus ) [ 28 ] were based on farm animal welfare protocols such as the Welfare Quality Network ® [ 29 ], where a number of species-specific tools to measure welfare have been developed and which highlights the need to share techniques across facilities [ 30 ]. With only these few specific frameworks available, reliably assessing species-specific animal welfare in zoos is challenging and time consuming.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Zoo Welfare Assessments to Identify Common Issues in Developing Country Zoos

Ward

Williams

Groves³

et al. 2020

Animals

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Zoo animal welfare is a high priority for many institutions worldwide, with modern zoos now ensuring that animals are housed and cared for to the highest standards. However, in countries where this knowledge is not as available or understood, standards may be lower. The aim of this research was to investigate if there were common zoo welfare concerns across developing country zoos. Wild Welfare is a charity working globally to improve welfare for zoo animals and has an independent welfare audit that is carried out before any intervention occurs. The Wild Welfare Audit, consisting of 110 questions, covering nine topics, was completed at 11 zoos in seven developing countries (Brazil, Egypt, Libya, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam) following a Likert scale score (1–3). A principal component analysis was also performed to evaluate the audit questions. The results suggest that common areas of concern were animal behaviour, positive animal mental states and human health and safety. These themes were likely due to the lack knowledge and understanding that may be linked to historical and cultural differences. This research has helped to revise the welfare audit as well as inform future intervention strategies for improving developing country zoo animal welfare.

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The Need for a Convergence of Agricultural/Laboratory and Zoo-based Approaches to Animal Welfare

Cited by 17 publications

References 74 publications

Impacts of COVID-19 on Animals in Zoos: A Longitudinal Multi-Species Analysis

Impacts of COVID-19 on Animals in Zoos: A Longitudinal Multi-Species Analysis

Widespread Behavioral Responses by Mammals and Fish to Zoo Visitors Highlight Differences between Individual Animals

Using Zoo Welfare Assessments to Identify Common Issues in Developing Country Zoos

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