Document type : Scientific article

Characterisation of facial expressions and behaviours of horses in response to positive and negative emotional anticipation using network analysis

Romane Phelipon, Léa Bertrand, Plotine Jardat, Fabrice Reigner, Kate Lewis, Jérôme Micheletta, Léa Lansade

Published in 2025

Study using network analysis to identify specific behaviors and facial expressions in horses based on their anticipation of a positive or negative experience. These indicators can be used to better assess the emotional state and welfare of equines.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

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Professional emotional neutrality and the role of background emotion work in the slaughterhouse

Marcel Sebastian

Published in 2025

Article analyzing how abattoir workers develop an emotional distance from the killing of animals through intense and often unconscious emotional work. It highlights the importance of background emotions in morally sensitive occupations, making an original contribution to the sociology of work and emotions.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines, Caprines, Ovines, Porcines, Poultry

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Healthy cows, happy farmers? Exploring the dynamics of mastitis and farmer well-being

Lind Nina, Hansson Helena, Emanuelson Ulf, Lagerkvist Carl-Johan

Published in 2025

Study showing that cow health influences the psychological welfare of dairy farmers. This connection is reinforced by the farmers' perceptions of the disease (in this case mastitis) and their sense of control over it.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

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Precision farming in aquaculture: non-invasive monitoring of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) behaviour in response to environmental conditions in commercial sea cages for health and welfare assessment

Burke Meredith, Nikolic Dragana, Fabry Pieter, Rishi Hemang, Telfer Trevor, Rey Planellas Sonia

Published in 2025

Study analyzing the swimming behavior of salmon in captivity using a computer vision algorithm. The results reveal that their vertical distribution varies according to temperature and weather conditions, suggesting directions for the improvement of management and welfare in aquaculture.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Fish

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Using deep learning models to decode emotional states in horses

Phelipon, R., Lansade, L. & Razzaq, M.

Published in 2025

Study using machine learning models to predict the emotions of ridden horses on the basis of image analysis, comparing different cropping and training methods for convolutional neural network models. The results showed that cropped images of heads were sufficient to provide very good prediction levels (87% accuracy), and that the features used by the model for interpretation were similar to those used by experts.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

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The Protection of Selectively Bred and Gene Edited Farm Animals under EU Law

Ilaria Cimadori, Alice Di Concetto, Khara Grieger

Published in 2025

Article examining the ethical and regulatory issues surrounding the use of genome-editing technologies in animal breeding, compared with traditional selection methods. It highlights inconsistencies in the current European framework and calls for animal welfare regulation for all selection methods. 

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Cattle, Goats, Sheep, Fish, Pigs, Poultry

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A comparison of attitudes towards animal welfare between British and Japanese zoo visitors: Where and when do cultural differences diverge?

Yumi Yamanashi , Yuko IkkataiMoe Honjo, Nahoko Tokuyama, Rie Akami, Duncan Andrew Wilson, Hannah M. Buchanan-Smith

Published in 2025

Scientific study of British and Japanese visitors' attitudes towards animal welfare in zoos, feeding with live prey and trust in managers: both groups are generally concerned about welfare, but the Japanese base their judgments more on basic needs, while the British emphasize the environmental stimulation provided and the animals' emotions and cognitive abilities.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Wildlife

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Developing appropriate environmental enrichment strategies for broiler breeders

Baxter, M., O'Connell, N.E.

Published in 2025

Study of environmental enrichment preferences in broiler broodstock reared commercially. The results show a clear preference for platform perches and interest in hanging observation balls. Additional dust baths proved of little use under well-maintained litter conditions.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

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Validation of qualitative behaviour assessment for dairy cows at pasture

L. Aubé, M.M. Mialon, I. Veissier, A. de Boyer des Roches

Published in 2025

Scientific article testing Qualitative Behavioral Assessment (QBA) as a means to measure the emotional states of dairy cows on pasture, assessing its reliability and ability to distinguish between different emotional contexts. The results show that QBA is able to identify variations in emotion and arousal, although there is room for improvement in inter-observer reliability. 

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

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Translating Ethical Principles into Law, Regulations and Workable Animal Welfare Practices

David J. Mellor, Mette Uldahl

Published in 2025

Philosophical commentary on changes in animal welfare laws. These reflect the shift in ethical approaches from the prevention of abuse to a duty of care towards animals. A four-level legal framework and a four-step assessment process make it possible to integrate explicit ethical principles into animal welfare management.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: All animals

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