Development and assessment of a stair ascension challenge as a measure of aging and physical function in nonhuman primates
Nonhuman primates (NHPs) are valuable models for studying healthspan, including frailty development. Frailty metrics in people centers on functional measures, including usual gait speed which can be predictive of all-cause mortality. This concept that physical competencies are able to prognosticate an individual’s health trajectory over chronologic aging is well-accepted and has led to refinements in […]
Aging Gracefully: Compassion for Nonhuman Animal Elders
Many nonhuman animals (hereafter animals) grow old within zoos. Aging animals undergo innumerable bodily and mental changes, some of which lead to suffering and keep them from flourishing while others move them towards other roles, opportunities, and standing. Those who take care of aging animals are confronted with various moral considerations of what it takes […]
The Longevity Legacy: The Challenges of Old Animals in Zoos
As knowledge of husbandry has improved with the keeping of wild animals in zoos over the last 200 years, so longevity has also improved, bringing with it challenges owing to the development of pathologies associated with ageing. In this chapter, the principal skeletal and dental pathologies of aged zoo mammals are described, and the results […]
Facility Design for Ageing Wild Animals
The blending of science with empathy through multidisciplinary design of animal facilities and features can contribute to the wellbeing of disabled and elderly animals in zoos, sanctuaries and research facilities and may prevent or slow some common degenerative conditions. The importance of designed features benefiting both animals and animal carers is emphasized. Subjects include the […]
Euthanasia of Geriatric Zoo Animals: Decision-Making and Procedure
The majority of animals cared for by modern zoos now live longer than their wild counterparts. This increase in both mean and maximum lifespan has resulted in a greater number of individuals which can be termed aged or geriatric (henceforth geriatric) resulting in an increased number of individuals with age-related pathologies. A wide range of […]
Environmental Enrichment for Ageing Animals in Zoos
The use of environmental enrichment is commonplace in zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries and other facilities and aims to enhance the lives of animals under human care by promoting natural behaviours. There are various types of enrichment used including food-based, sensory, manipulative and novel. Enrichment programmes can be created by listing the options for each type of […]
Supporting Geriatric Zoo Animal Welfare Through Nutrition
Aging wild animals undergo many physiological changes that are not visible to their keepers. Changes in their digestive system render them less efficient at absorbing nutrients, changes in their brain reduce mental acuity and inflammation builds up throughout the body, especially the joints. Eventually symptoms will be observed such as muscle loss, decreased activity and […]
The Role of Learning and Training for Ageing Animal Care and Wellbeing
Understanding animal learning and training can greatly support animal care and good animal wellbeing through all stages of life, including when animals are ageing and often require special care. Thinking and planning for the needs and integrating the preferences of an individual animal are fundamental in short- and long-term wellbeing programmes, including animal training programmes. […]
Early life adversities and lifelong health outcomes: A review of the literature on large, social, long-lived nonhuman mammals
Social nonhuman animals are powerful models for studying underlying factors related to lifelong health outcomes following early life adversities (ELAs). ELAs can be linked to lifelong health outcomes depending on the species, system, sensitive developmental periods, and biological pathways. This review focuses on the literature surrounding ELAs and lifelong health outcomes in large, social, relatively […]
Assessing chimpanzees’ fluency of movement: applications for monitoring health and welfare
With age, primates’ activity levels and ease of movement may decline and changes in locomotory behaviour may reflect changes in health. Thus, developing quick and reliable measures of movement has important applications for measuring recovery from disease, injury, or any age-related mobility declines. While behavioural observations can offer a rich understanding of primates’ activity budgets […]