Why Are Enrichment Practices in Zoos Difficult to Implement Effectively?
The good intentions of zoos to introduce enrichment practices that stimulate animals mentally and physically are not always achievable. Changes to the policies and procedures in organisations are difficult to fulfil for a range of reasons frequently investigated in change management literature. The implementation of these changes can be the source of ineffective attempts to […]
The influence of welfare and bonds with animals on the job satisfaction of felid keepers in North America
The current study set out to examine the perceptions of felid welfare in zoos and elucidate the factors that influence an individual animal care professional’s acceptance and recognition of welfare. A total of 121 felid keepers employed in an Association of Zoos & Aquariums facility were included in analysis. Results demonstrate job satisfaction is directly […]
A preliminary model of human–animal relationships in the zoo
The concept of the human–animal relationship (HAR) is widely used in farm animal research to describe the outcome of the different qualities and quantities of interaction between stockpersons and the animals in their care. Thus, negative, positive or neutral HARs may result from the effect of mostly negative (e.g. rough handling), neutral (e.g. no handling) […]
Are we ignoring neutral and negative human–animal relationships in zoos?
Human–animal interactions (HAI), which may lead to human–animal relationships (HAR), may be positive, neutral, or negative in nature. Zoo studies show that visitors may be stressful, may have no effect, or may be enriching. There is also evidence that good HARs set up between animals and their keepers can have positive effects on animal welfare. […]