Interrupted Lives: Welfare Considerations in Wildlife Rehabilitation
Each year in the United States, thousands of sick, injured, or displaced wild animals are presented to individuals or organizations who have either a federal or state permit that allows them to care for these animals with the goal of releasing them back to the wild. The purpose of this review is to demonstrate the […]
Automatic detection of stereotypical behaviors of captive wild animals based on surveillance videos of zoos and animal reserves
The timely detection of the depressive and stereotypical behaviors often observed in captive wild animals and the subsequent intervention can contribute to improving their living environment in enclosures, which is crucial for safeguarding animal welfare, enhancing animal husbandry practices, regulating human–animal relationships. Several studies have analyzed factors that influence animal stereotypical behaviors and identified preventive […]
Home is where the home range is: Identifying territoriality and exhibit preferences in an ex-situ group of all-male Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus)
Here, the presence or absence of territoriality was evaluated in an all-male Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) group living in an ex-situ environment. Location data for each crocodile within the exhibit were collected three times per day over a two-year period, including two warm seasons and two cold seasons. A geographic information system (GIS) was used […]
A retrospective study on the prevalence of main clinical findings in brown bears (Ursus arctos) rescued from substandard husbandry conditions
Brown bears (Ursus arctos) are kept under varied captive conditions, some of which may greatly compromise their welfare. Four Paws is an NGO that rescues some of these bears kept in substandard conditions and houses them in species-appropriate sanctuaries, where preventive and reactive veterinary care is provided. This retrospective study aims to provide an overview […]
Animal welfare research is fascinating, ethical, and useful—but how can it be more rigorous?
The scientific study of animal welfare supports evidence-based good animal care, its research contributing to guidelines and policies, helping to solve practical problems caused by animal stress, and raising fascinating questions about animal sentience and affective states. However, as for many branches of science (e.g. all those with replicability problems), the research rigour of welfare […]
Advancing zoo animal welfare through data science: scaling up continuous improvement efforts
Advancing animal welfare in zoos is a multifaceted endeavor that lies at the core of their conservation and educational missions. While zoos have made significant strides in improving the wellbeing of their animal residents, challenges persist in ensuring a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to continuous improvement. Some of these challenges stem from the exponential growth of […]
Assessing the impact of environmental enrichment on behavior in understudied armadillo species: A case study
The implementation of environmental enrichment (EE) can be effective in promoting zoo animal welfare by enhancing the performance of natural or species-typical behaviors. Research on the effects of EE is biased towards larger mammalian species, with less charismatic species being overlooked. Armadillos are one such overlooked example. A captive environment that results in inactivity, obesity, […]
The ethical assessment of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) in wildlife conservation
The application of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) in breeding programs to save wild animal species is a relatively new approach to conservation and their ethical implications seem still to be underestimated. However, the ethical evaluation is a decisive step for conservation projects employing ART to address crucial questions like the welfare and life of the […]
Traumatic telson avulsion and attempted external stabilization in Atlantic horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus)
Atlantic horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) are prevalent in public aquarium touch pools. Despite their popularity, the literature concerning medical management under managed care is sparse. Noninfectious conditions include trauma to the exoskeleton and compound eyes; however, injury to the soft tissue connecting the telson and opisthosoma has not been previously reported. This report describes telson […]
Interrupted Lives: Welfare Considerations in Wildlife Rehabilitation
Each year in the United States, thousands of sick, injured, or displaced wild animals are presented to individuals or organizations who have either a federal or state permit that allows them to care for these animals with the goal of releasing them back to the wild. The purpose of this review is to demonstrate the […]