Effects of the presence of zoo visitors on zoo-housed little penguins (Eudyptula minor)
Little penguins (Eudyptula minor), or Kororā in Māori, show variation in their behavioural responses towards zoo visitors in Australian zoos. We experimentally examined the effects of visitor presence on the behaviour and stress physiology of little penguins at Wellington Zoo, New Zealand. The two treatments were: (1) Visitor presence – the exhibit was open to […]
New Zealand’s inclusive science-based system for setting animal welfare standards
Inclusiveness and science were, and are, essential contributors to the development and operation of New Zealand’s current system for managing animal welfare at a national level. The involvement of individuals and groups with diverse interests, having aligned, complementary or opposing views, is considered to be a most important part of this process. Participants include animal […]
Veterinarians and animal welfare–A New Zealand perspective
Veterinarians are involved in, and contribute to, animal welfare policy and practice in New Zealand. Professional obligations for veterinarians in New Zealand are given in a Guide to Professional Conduct. Veterinary involvement in animal welfare is described. The New Zealand Veterinary Association has taken several initiatives and the contributions of the veterinary profession to various […]
Animal welfare: a complex international public policy issue: economic, policy, societal, cultural and other drivers and constraints. A 20-year international perspective
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) policy definition that “animal welfare is a complex international public policy issue with scientific, ethical, economic, cultural and religious dimensions, plus important trade policy considerations” clearly demonstrates the multi-faceted nature of animal welfare. Progress made is inevitably incremental and compromises often have to be reached between animal welfare […]
Challenges to implementing animal welfare standards in New Zealand
The New Zealand Animal Welfare Act 1999 imposes a duty of care on all owners and persons in charge, to provide for the physical, health and behavioural needs of the animals in their care. The Act provides for the development of codes of welfare by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) and gives legal […]
What’s in a Name? Perceptions of Stray and Feral Cat Welfare and Control in Aotearoa, New Zealand
New Zealanders (n = 354) rated the acceptability of lethal and nonlethal cat control methods and the importance of conservation and welfare. Lethal control was more acceptable for feral cats than strays; for nonlethal control, the inverse was true. More than concern for the welfare of cats subjected to control, perceived conservation benefits, risk of […]
Correction to “What’s in a Name? Perceptions of Stray and Feral Cat Welfare and Control in Aotearoa, New Zealand”
Improved Nonhuman Animal Welfare Is Related More to Income Equality Than It Is to Income
The link between nonhuman animal welfare, income, and income inequality (Gini coefficient) was tested using consumption of animal products, laws protecting animals on the farm from the worst abuses, and animals used in experimentation as indicators. Experimentation on all animals and on rodents significantly increased in high-income European countries, although there was some evidence that […]