Zoo Animal Welfare

Moral principles that govern a persons behaviour or the conducting of an activity

• right to life • right to freedom • animals should not be owned or used for human gain

Animal welfare refers to the physical and psychological well-being of animals, as well as their ability to live in an environment that is natural and appropriate for their species.

Yes

Ethical / moral responsibility Sentience Animals have economic value Legislation Prioritisation of limited resources

Zoo license inspections BIAZA accreditation Vet officer inspections Research projects Welfare audits Public

WAZA welfare strategy BIAZA welfare policy DEFRA Zoos expert comittee

Freedom from: Hunger and thirst Discomfort Pain Injury Disease Fear and distress To express normal behaviour

Provision of Food and water Suitable environment Healthcare Opportunity to express normal behaviour Protection from fear and distress

A method to facilitate assessment of animal welfare by looking at the domains of: Nutrition Environment Health Behaviour Mental state

Animal based indicators Resource based indicators

Measured from the animal Outputs Behaviour, health status

Measured from environment, management Inputs Enclosures, diet, plan and processes

Weight and body condition Fur, feathers, skin Nails, claws, hooves Food intake Faecal samples Blood samples Radiographs

Activity budget Enclosure usage Social structure Resource usage Mobility Enrichment Training and learning Response to stimuli

A percentage breakdown of how an animal spends its day

Allows the animal to have control and remove human bias

Needs are a requirement to obtain a resource or respond to a stimulus

Coping is having control of mental and bodily stability

If the animals are surviving If they are reproducing How much space there is Long term plans for change

No

There natural environment might be bad welfare

An objective/evidence based measurement of animal welfare

Questions Input/outputs Summary Actions