Measuring zoo animal welfare: theory and practice

Hill, Sonya P.; Broom, Donald M.

doi:10.1002/zoo.20276

Cited by 193 publications

(207 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…The individual behavioral variation seen in this study demonstrates that welfare can vary within a species even when the individuals in the group are experiencing the same environment (Hill & Broom, 2009;Hosey, Melfi, & Pankhurst, 2013). Individuals of the same species in zoos may have different individual histories that could impact their ability to adapt to varying environments (Hill & Broom, 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

“…Individuals of the same species in zoos may have different individual histories that could impact their ability to adapt to varying environments (Hill & Broom, 2009). These differences can be referred to as "personality" or behavioral temperament in individuals, if observed consistently over time and context (Freeman & Gosling, 2010;Gosling, 2001).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Monitoring the behavioral and adrenal activity of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) to assess welfare during seasonal housing changes.

Razal¹,

Bryant²,

Miller³

2017

AB&C

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Citation -Razal, C. B., Bryant, J., & Miller, L. J. (2017). Monitoring the behavioral and adrenal activity of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) to assess welfare during seasonal housing changes. Animal Behavior and Cognition, 4(2), 154-164. https://doi.org/10.12966/abc.03.05.2017Abstract -In inclement weather, northern zoos are required to provide animals from warmer climates with indoor exhibits. These indoor exhibits are typically smaller, lack natural substrate, and have lower levels of stimulation for the animals. The purpose of this study was to examine the welfare of four reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) exhibited at the Chicago Zoological Society -Brookfield Zoo -during the summer in an outdoor enclosure compared to the winter in an indoor enclosure. A combination of direct behavioral observations, percentage of time spent recumbent, and adrenal hormone monitoring through fecal samples were utilized for a more comprehensive look at welfare. Individual variation was observed between the giraffe. An adult female giraffe engaged in Active Forage behavior significantly more in the winter compared to summer (mean difference = 0.23, p = 0.049). An adult female and a juvenile male displayed significantly more Active Non-Forage behavior in the summer than in the winter (mean difference = 0.32, p = 0.048; mean difference = 0.31, p = 0.048). The predominant behavior in the summer for the group as a whole was Active Non-Forage (59%), whereas Active Forage was most prevalent in the winter (60%). There was also a significant positive correlation between time spent recumbent per hour for each 24-hour day measured in the summer and winter (r = 0.51, p = 0.010). Although no significant differences were found for individual FGM concentrations between the seasons, average FGM concentrations for the group were 2306.67 ng/g in the summer and 4261.64 ng/g in the winter. Information gained from this study can help aid animal managers to make informed decisions to ensure each individual giraffe is thriving year-round. In addition, we hope this study can serve as a model to examine the seasonal welfare of other animals in zoological institutions with similar conditions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Monitoring the behavioral and adrenal activity of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) to assess welfare during seasonal housing changes.

Razal¹,

Bryant²,

Miller³

2017

AB&C

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“…Interest in the welfare of zoo animals has grown considerably in recent years (Hill and Broom 2009;Hosey et al 2009;Maple 2007). Concerned with the condition of animals, zoos are increasingly keen to reduce sources of stress in captivity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Fission–Fusion Zoo Housing on Hormonal and Behavioral Indicators of Stress in Bornean Orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus)

2014

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The welfare of captive animals could be improved if zoos were to place more emphasis on their species-specific needs. In the wild, orangutans live in a fission-fusion social system and have a semisolitary lifestyle. However, most zoos keep orangutans in permanent groups, which may be stressful for them. Apenheul Primate Park in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, houses 14 Bornean orangutans in a simulated fissionfusion social system. To assess how this housing system affects indicators of stress, we measured fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCM) and determined proportions of self-directed behavior (scratching and autogrooming). We compared fGCM concentrations of the Apenheul animals to those of zoo orangutans kept in permanent groups. In addition, we tested the effect of group size, visitor number, sex, age, and change of group composition on fGCM concentrations and proportions of self-directed behavior in the Apenheul orangutans. In contrast to Bornean orangutans housed in permanent groups, we did not find a group size effect on fGCM or on self-directed behavior in Apenheul's fission-fusion housing system. In addition, fGCM concentrations in Apenheul orangutans increased significantly with visitor numbers. Visitor number also affected proportions of self-directed behavior, and mean proportions of scratching were positively correlated with mean values of fGCM concentrations. Although these results suggest that the fission-fusion housing system in Apenheul reduces the group size effect leading to social stress in Bornean orangutans, they also show that visitors are an important factor that needs to be mitigated if the well-being of captive primates and other zoo animals is to be improved. Abstract The welfare of captive animals could be improved if zoos were to place more emphasis on their species-specific needs. In the wild, orangutans live in a fission-fusion social system and have a semisolitary lifestyle. However, most zoos keep orangutans in permanent groups, which may be stressful for them. Apenheul Primate Park in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, houses 14 Bornean orangutans in a simulated fission-fusion social system. To assess how this housing system affects indicators of stress, we measured fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCM) and determined proportions of self-directed behavior (scratching and autogrooming). We compared fGCM concentrations of the Apenheul animals to those of zoo orangutans kept in permanent groups. In addition, we tested the effect of group size, visitor number, sex, age, and change of group composition on fGCM concentrations and proportions of self-directed behavior in the Apenheul orangutans. In contrast to Bornean orangutans housed in permanent groups, we did not find a group size effect on fGCM or on self-directed behavior in Apenheul's fissionfusion housing system. In addition, fGCM concentrations in Apenheul orangutans increased significantly with visitor numbers. Visitor number also affected proportions of self-directed behavior, and mean proportions of scratching were positively cor...

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“…Sdentists usually measure animal welfare by investigating behaviour, physiology, or both together (Hill and Broom 2009;Barber 2009). Indeed, there is controversy not only within sdence in terms of how to define and measure animal welfare, but also between scientists and animal ethicists (Fraser 1999;Knight et al 2009).…”

Section: What Is Animal Welfare?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Tourism and Animal Welfare

Fennell¹

2013

Tourism Recreation Research

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Millions of animals are used annually in the tourism industry as captives for display and entertainment, as porters and carriers, as quarry to be hunted and fished, as well as for purposes of competition and sport. This paper investigates the extent to which the welfare of animals is considered in tourism, both in theory and practice. The paper broadly examines the concept of welfare from an interdisciplinary standpoint, including how it is defined and measured, the importance of sentience, pain and suffering in understanding welfare, and methods of enhancing animal welfare. The paper expands on animal welfare as it applies to tourism scholarship and tourism industry practice. Zoos and sled-dog tourism are examples used to illustrate animal welfare challenges in tourism, and a number of key questions are included in an effort to move the tourism and animal welfare agenda forward.

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Measuring zoo animal welfare: theory and practice

Cited by 193 publications

References 33 publications

Monitoring the behavioral and adrenal activity of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) to assess welfare during seasonal housing changes.

Monitoring the behavioral and adrenal activity of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) to assess welfare during seasonal housing changes.

The Effect of Fission–Fusion Zoo Housing on Hormonal and Behavioral Indicators of Stress in Bornean Orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus)

Tourism and Animal Welfare

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