Re: [BERG] BERG seminar today

Hi all, I'm here in person so looking forward to seeing some of you later. I've got Jan21-Feb22 paper copies of the 'Animal Behaviour' journal with me that seemed like a good idea for my MA/MSc HAI last year, but I never actually read much of them. I thought I'd leave them in the common room for general reading, or if anyone wants to take them to give to students, that's fine. kind regards Annabel MSc HAI '20-22 now GOALD Project Coordinator, FoSS Working days this week, October​: Mon 17th - Wed19th + Thu 20th am only Next week Tue 25th - Fri 28th ________________________________ From: BERG <berg-bounces(a)lists.stir.ac.uk> on behalf of Gema Martin-Ordas <gema.martin-ordas(a)stir.ac.uk> Sent: 19 October 2022 06:45 To: berg Mailing List <berg(a)lists.stir.ac.uk> Subject: [BERG] BERG seminar today Dear all, This is just a reminder about today’s seminar at 4pm. Kristine Gandia (University of Stirling) will be talking about behaviour assessment and welfare in zoo-housed animals. Please, see below the title and short abstract for her talk. This meeting will be in person (Common Room Psychology, 3A90). Creating an evidence-based approach to the assessment of behaviour in the RZSS welfare audit process Providing zoo environments that promote good animal welfare is important for ethical reasons and for the goal of zoos to conserve species and educate the public. In order to continuously improve conditions that promote better welfare of zoo-housed species, their welfare must be assessed. The Five Domains model is a widely accepted welfare assessment framework for captive species. Addressing the behaviour domain can be done with behavioural observations. However, collecting behavioural data through continuous behavioural assessments can be a challenge for zoos due to the diversity of species housed and limited resources and work hours. This leaves many behaviours uncaptured and the cycles of behaviours across the day, year and lifespan unknown. In this study, we are demonstrating how an evidence-based approach to addressing the behaviour domain can be beneficial in validating the behaviour portion of welfare assessments and promoting accuracy in assessments. We collected behavioural data across the day for species of mammals, fish, reptiles and birds. With this data, we were able to directly address specific audit questions and validate responses in the behaviour domain with evidence. Long-term behavioural data can be built up slowly over years to create baselines of behavioural cycles for comparison during welfare assessments, allowing for stronger evidence-based responses. It is beneficial to zoos to accurately assess welfare as this informs interventions they implement to promote positive welfare. An evidence-based approach where baselines of behavioural cycles are established can assist in ensuring this accuracy during assessments and promoting the goals of zoos to improve their animals’ lives. Best, Gema ________________________________ Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159 ________________________________ Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159