Discipline: Zoology

How does perception of zoo animal welfare influence public attitudes, experiences, and behavioural intentions? A mixed-methods systematic review

Nicki Phillips, Laëtitia Maréchal, Beth Ventura, Jonathan Cooper

Published in 2024

Systematic study identifying three types of factors that influence negative public perceptions of zoos whose objectives are conservation and education: human (interactions and ethics), animal (behavior and health), and environmental (facility conditions). These negative perceptions reduce the public's commitment to zoos and conservation, necessitating more structured research to improve the validity of the studies.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: All animals

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Education, Enrichment, Housing, Living environment, Human-animal relationships

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Evaluating Potential Indicators of Welfare for Zoo Birds during an Avian Influenza Enforced Housing Order

Thomas Collard, Paul Rose

Published in 2024

Article reporting on the impact of forced confinement due to avian influenza on the behavior of Chilean flamingos in a UK zoo. Confinement decreased flamingo activity and abnormal, reoriented foraging actions were recorded. Weather also influenced plumage condition.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal Categories:Birds (excluding poultry)

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Animal-based measurements, Livestock buildings, Population management, Welfare indicators, Housing, Behavioural disorders

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Reptile expos: an analysis and recommendations for control

Clifford Warwick, Catrina Steedman, Mike Jessop, Rachel Grant

Published in 2024

Analysis of a survey of those involved in the trading or exhibition of reptiles in Europe and the United States. At least 10 animal welfare issues and 5 public health and safety issues identified in the survey lead its authors to conclude that the lack of monitoring and control at reptile shows, combined with their frequency, necessitate a ban on these events.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories:Exotic pets, Reptiles

Keywords:Abandonment, Adoption, Animal trade, Education, Abuse, Pathogen transfer

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Welfare of invertebrates: a pilot study on a new land snail stunning technique

Fossati P., Stefanini F.M., Ravasio G., Coerezza U.

Published in 2024

Scientific article providing preliminary data on the effectiveness of a method of stunning edible snails based on immersion in refrigerated water enriched with CO2 intended to avoid the suffering experienced by these invertebrates when slaughtered.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Molluscs

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Consciousness, Pain, Euthanasia

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Brazilians' perception of shrimp sentience and welfare

Gabriela Bussi de Oliveira, Pedro Griczinski, Ana Silvia Pedrazzani, Murilo Henrique Quintiliano, Carla Forte Maiolino Molento

Published in 2024

Survey study to establish perceptions in Brazil of the welfare and sentience of shrimps.  ¾ of participants said they were concerned about the welfare of this crustacean. 84% of people acknowledged that the species senses  pain, particularly when the eyestalk is removed, a procedure carried out in farming to induce ovarian maturation and accelerate egg-laying.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Crustaceans

Keywords:Pain, Welfare indicators, Mutilation, Stress

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Assessing Giraffe Welfare During Seasonal Habitat Changes in Northern US Zoos

Razal, C., Bryant, J., & Miller, L.

Published in 2024

Multi-criteria study of behavioral observations, hormonal monitoring and decubitus rates as a means to assess giraffe welfare, comparing summer outdoor habitats and winter indoor quarters at several zoological institutions. The results suggest that housing giraffes indoors does not compromise their welfare, since positive effects were observed in both indoor and outdoor surroundings.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Wildlife, Ruminants

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Animal-based measurements, Livestock buildings, Welfare indicators, Housing, Living environment

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What We (Don't) Know about Parrot Welfare: A Systematic Literature Review

Andrea Piseddu, Yvonne van Zeeland, and Jean-Loup Rault

Published in 2024

Synthesis of the scientific literature examining potential welfare indicators applicable to pet parrots. The study identifies indicators such as behavioral changes (activity level, social interactions, exploration), body measurements (weight, plumage condition) and abnormal behaviors. These results serve as a starting point for work on a species that is rarely studied. 

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal Categories:Birds (excluding poultry)

Keywords:Aggression, Aggressiveness, Animal-based measurements, Welfare indicators, Behavioural disorders

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A Reexamination of the Relationship between Training Practices and Welfare in the Management of Ambassador Animals

S. Martin, G. Stafford, D.S. Miller

Published in 2024

Article proposing a model to improve the welfare of ambassador animals trained in zoos and aquariums. Key concepts include the recognition of choice and control by the animal, use of the most positive and least intrusive interventions possible during training, and a reduction in the use of aversive strategies.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Wildlife

Keywords: Animal mediation, Self-medication, Education, Human-animal relationships, Socialization,Working animals, Learning, training

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Doing better for understudied species: Evaluation and improvement of a species-general animal welfare assessment tool for zoos

Shannon L. O'Brien, Katherine A. Cronin

Published in 2023

Scientific article evaluating a generic welfare assessment method for different animals in the same zoo. It reveals that Mammals received the highest welfare scores and their assessment questionnaires were completed most fully. This led the authors to modify their assessment tool to take better account of all the taxa present in the zoo.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Wildlife

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Societal issues, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Housing, Living environment, Human-animal relationships

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Quality-of-Life Assessments in Zoo Animals: Not Just for the Aged and Charismatic

Michelle Campbell-Ward

Published in 2023

Scientific review exploring the concept of quality of life as it applies to animals, assessment indicators and methods appropriate in a zoo setting, and the importance of taking quality of life into account at all stages of life, whatever the species.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories:Wildlife

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Societal issues, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Housing, Living environment, Human-animal relationships

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