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