Species : Multiple species

Key Concepts for Enhancing Zoo Animal Welfare: Coping, Comfort, Choice, Control, Challenge, and Compassion

Rose, P. E., & Lewton, J.

Published in 2024

Synthetic overview exploring the application of welfare theory to zoo animals using key familiar indicators that promote adaptation, autonomy and positive cognitive challenges. A trained human husbandry approach based on compassion is essential to making welfare a core goal in zoos.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories:Wildlife

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Learning, training, Enrichment, Housing, Human-animal relationships

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Animal affect, welfare and the Bayesian brain

Lecorps B, Weary D.

Published in 2024

Synthesis exploring the Bayesian hypothesis that the brain is a predictive machine that interprets sensory data through expectations based on past experiences that influence affective responses. Applied to animals, this theory could improve our understanding of their affective states and reveal the impact of deficits in an animal's predictive processing on its welfare.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: All animals

Keywords: Cognitive processes, Welfare indicators,Learning, training

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The human-animal relationship in zoo-housed mammals: Behavioral and physiological responses to visitor and keeper interactions

Domínguez-Oliva, A., Marcet-Rius, M., Gómez-Medina, C., Olmos-Hernández, A., Gutiérrez, Q., & Mota-Rojas, D.

Published in 2024

Study exploring the importance of positive human-animal interactions for various animal species housed in zoos, as well as welfare-enhancing strategies such as enrichment and positive reinforcement. Integrated into the Five Domains of Animal Welfare model, the human-animal relationship must be optimized to improve the emotional state of animals.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories:Wildlife

Keywords: Enrichment, Human-animal relationships

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Human-computer interactions with farm animals-enhancing welfare through precision livestock farming and artificial intelligence

Neethirajan S, Scott S, Mancini C, Boivin X, Strand E.

Published in 2024

Scientific synthesis exploring the potential of animal-computer interactions (ACI) to improve the individual welfare of farm animals, particularly in the context of precision farming and artificial intelligence.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories:Cattle, Pigs, Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animalAnimal-based measurements, Livestock buildings, Precision farming, Identification, Welfare indicators, Housing, Modelling, One Welfare, livestock farming systemBehavioural disorders

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Animal welfare during transport, evolution, and perspectives of European Union Legislation and Policy

Massimo Giangaspero and Pasquale Turno

Published in 2024

Article retailing the history of the transport of live animals in the EU and setting out current issues surrounding it. Despite gradual improvements, recent opinions issued by EFSA and a report by the European Court of Auditors highlight the need to revise the legislation to resolve continued problems.

Document Types: Scientific review

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

Keywords:Animal trade, Fear, Stress, Transport

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Closing the Gaps in Fish Welfare: The Case for More Fundamental Work Into Physical Enrichment

Helen C. Spence-Jones - Joachim G. Frommen - Nick A. R. Jones

Published in 2024

Summary of the various research studies carried out on use of physical enrichment in fish farming to improve fish welfare. Although research on fish welfare remains limited, the authors note an increase in publications on the subject. Efforts are still needed to diversify the range of welfare indicators used (beyond the common metrics of growth and behavior).

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Fish

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Housing, Stress, Behavioural disorders

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Enhancing Welfare for Aquarium Fishes with an Ecologically Relevant Environment

Paul Rose

Published in 2024

Article highlighting the importance of  achieving a better understanding of the biology and behavior of domestic fish in order to provide them with appropriate care when raised in aquariums.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Fish

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Enrichment, Housing, Living environment, Socialization

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European animal breeders vision for 2030

EFFAB - European Forum of Farm Animal Breeders

Published in 2024

Document from the European Forum of Farm Animal Breeders (EFFAB) stressing the importance of technological innovations to improve animal health, reduce environmental impacts and guarantee food safety.

Document types: Technical Paper

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

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Precision farming, Societal issues, environment, livestock farming system

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The role of ethical orientation in animal welfare choice behaviour: A segmentation study

Anne O. Peschel, Kristina Thomsen, George Tsalis, Klaus G. Grunert

Published in 2025

Scoping review showing that consumers' ethical views (ethical orientation) strongly influence their preferences on animal welfare measures, with a particular focus on access to outdoors for animals.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Bovines, Ovines, Porcines, Poultry

Keywords: Carcass quality,Livestock buildings, Environment, Housing, Living environment, Pollution, Societal issues, livestock farming system

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Poultry Preslaughter Operations in Hot Environments: The Present Knowledge and the Next Steps Forward

Vieira FMC, Portugal MAG, de Borba LP, Angrecka S, Herbut P, Jongbo AO, De-Sousa KT, Deniz M.

Published in 2024

Overview of the challenges faced by the poultry industry. According to the authors, improving thermal management and logistics, particularly during pre-slaughter operations, is crucial to minimizing stress, injury and economic losses.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Consciousness, Carcass quality, Education, Pain, Stress, Transport

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