Skip to Content
czaw-bear
detroit zoo detroit zoo
Printout from detroitzoo.org
Date: 05/4/25
  • Home
  • About
  • Resources
  • Research Projects
  • Multimedia
  • Events

Our Goals

  1. Acquire and make easily accessible to zoo and aquarium professionals the current body of knowledge on animal welfare and ethics.
  2. Conduct and facilitate welfare assessments and applied welfare research on captive exotic animals.
  3. Convene important discussions and presentations on captive exotic animal welfare and ethics.
  4. Train professionals on captive exotic animal welfare best practices and policies.
  5. Recognize advances in improving captive exotic animal welfare and ethics through awards.
URL: https://detroitzoo.org/resources/?fwp_search=K.A.%20Leighty&ignore=title%2Cabstract%2Cpublication%2Ckeywords

The Welfare of Domestic Goats (Capra hircus) in a Zoo-Based Animal-Visitor Interaction Program

Authors: Ramont, M., Leahy M., Cronin, K.A.

Publication/Journal: Animal Behavior and Cognition

Keywords: ambassador animals, animal welfare, animal–visitor interactions, petting zoo, ungulate, visitor effect

2021

Applying behavior-analytic methodology to the science and practice of environmental enrichment in zoos and aquariums

Authors: Christina A. Alligood, Nicole R. Dorey, Lindsay R. Mehrkam, Katherine A. Leighty

Publication/Journal: Zoo Biology

Keywords: animal welfare, behavior analysis, environmental enrichment, evaluation, methodology

2017

A turtle cognition research demonstration enhances visitor engagement and keeper-animal relationships

Authors: Andrew C. Alba, Katherine A. Leighty, Victoria L. Pittman Courte, Alison P. Grand, Tamara L. Bettinger

Publication/Journal: Zoo Biology

Keywords: eastern box turtle, human–animal bond, reptile, training, visitor experience

2017

Using behavioral observations and genetic markers to characterize the flexible reproductive system in an ex situ population of carmine bee-eaters (Merops n. nubicus)

Authors: Gina M Ferrie, Tyler Hether, Ocean R Cohen, Eran L Brusilow, Christy C Sky, Shawnlei F Breeding, Katherine A Leighty, Paul J Schutz, Chelle Plasse, Tammie L Bettinger, Eric A Hoffman

Publication/Journal: Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research

Keywords: behaviour, colony, parentage, population, relatedness, reproduction

2017

Application of video recording technology to improve husbandry and reproduction in the carmine bee-eater (Merops n. nubicus)

Authors: Gina M. Ferrie, Christy Sky, Paul J. Schutz, Glorieli Quinones, Shawnlei Breeding, Chelle Plasse, Katherine A. Leighty, Tammie L. Bettinger

Publication/Journal: Zoo Biology

Keywords: bird, breeding, chick, egg, nest box, video

2016

The Days and Nights of Zoo Elephants: Using Epidemiology to Better Understand Stereotypic Behavior of African Elephants (Loxodonta africana) and Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus) in North American Zoos

Authors: B. J. Greco, C. L. Meehan, J. N. Hogan, K. A. Leighty, J. Mellen, G. J. Mason, J. A. Mench

Publication/Journal: Plos One

Keywords: elephants, stereotypy, zoo

2016

Plumage variation and social partner choice in the greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)

Authors: Hani D. Freeman, Annie J. Valuska, Ryan R. Taylor, Gina M. Ferrie, Alison P. Grand, Katherine A. Leighty

Publication/Journal: Zoo Biology

Keywords: birds, flamingos, plumage coloration, social partner

2016

Putting the “E” in SPIDER: Evolving Trends in the Evaluation of Environmental Enrichment Efficacy in Zoological Settings

Authors: C. Alligood, K. Leighty

Publication/Journal: Animal Behavior and Cognition

Keywords: animal welfare, environmental enrichment, zoos

2015

Reproductive and parental behavior in Taveta golden weavers (Ploceus castaneiceps)

Authors: Annie J. Valuska, Katherine A. Leighty, Chelle Plassé, Paul Schutz, Val Nichols, Christy Sky, Shawnlei Breeding

Publication/Journal: Zoo Biology

Keywords: husbandry, reproduction, social group

2015

The effect of changes in group composition on social dynamics in marabou storks (Leptoptilos crumeniferus)

Authors: Annie J. Valuska, Katherine A. Leighty, Gina M. Ferrie, Alison P. Grand, Juniper Ross, Paul Schutz, Tamara L. Bettinger

Publication/Journal: Zoo Biology

Keywords: aggression, behavior, management

2014

  • Search

    • Search within:
Detroit Zoological Society: Detroit Zoo; Belle Isle Nature Center

Celebrating and Saving Wildlife and Wild Places

8450 W. 10 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48067 | 248-541-5717

The Detroit Zoological Society – a renowned leader in
humane education, wildlife conservation, animal welfare
and sustainability – operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center.

  • © 2025 Detroit Zoological Society
Celebrating and Saving Wildlife and Wild Places
Searching...