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Welfare Of Captive Animals

Zoo exhibit design has evolved over time to more closely resemble the natural habitat of species.  This evolution has gone hand in hand with advances in nutrition, chemical restraint (anaesthesia), knowledge of diseases, their treatment and prevention, as well as better research into aspects of captive animal biology, husbandry and veterinary medicine.  However, a natural looking exhibit does not necessarily ensure the well-being of a captive animal. The zoo environment is far from the natural environment of many animals, especially those that are territorial and naturally have large home ranges. When animals are not provided with effective stimuli to enhance their wellbeing they can develop certain behaviour traits. These include:

  • Stereotypical behaviour – fixed behaviours that are repetitive but have no real purpose. This can include pacing, rocking and weaving.
  • Increased aggression – aggression can be directed towards other animals in the enclosure.
  • Increased conflict or frustration – this can include behaviours that are out of the ordinary for the species such as scratching, chewing, licking or head-shaking.
  • Fearful behaviour – this is outside of the normal behaviour of the animal. It can include avoidance of other animals or keepers, shivering, sweating or overreacting to environmental stimulus.
  • Change in behaviour – the animal is no longer demonstrating normal behaviour for its species, age or stage of development.


Enrichment
Environmental, feeding and social enrichment play a large role in improved animal welfare.  The encouragement of natural foraging behaviour, space for animals to carry out natural behaviours and social encounters can improve animal health and well-being.  Unfortunately each form of stimulus is not always feasible with funding and space restrictions placed on zoos.  As it may not be a requirement in some countries, many zoos still fail to improve standards of animal welfare.

Some zoos have developed criteria for assessing an animal’s welfare.  These include:

  • Is the animal displaying abnormal behaviour? This may include stereotypical pacing, abnormal aggression or self-harm.
  • Does the animal display a wide range of behaviours? Does it partake in a variety of activities throughout the day?
  • Does the animal show a relaxed demeanour when resting? Or does the animal seem tense and on guard?


These simple observations made by the animal’s handler can highlight issues of mental wellbeing. Of course, the handler or zookeeper needs to be familiar with the animal’s normal behaviour to be able to identify the abnormal.

Learn more about the welfare and well-being of captive animals with a course from ACS Distance Education.  Our full listing of animals courses can be found here, and include:

Animal Welfare

Advanced Certificate In Zoo Keeping

Associate Diploma In Wildlife Management

 

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