Hopefully you have enjoyed the animal welfare course and that it has given you a critical eye.

You should now have the basic understanding of the the many and different components of what comprises animal welfare and that you can preform a basic welfare assessment and how to keep animals occupied both physically and mentally.

Over the last few years around the world there have been a number of high-profile incidents in zoos and aquaria . 

The example case studies below are here to stimulate discussion, there is no right or wrong answer.

Ideas to consider or discuss are

• Are there any welfare issues, if so what are they? 
• How do they make you feel?
• When does a welfare issue begin, within the case study?
• What do you perceive to be good and bad aspects of the the case studies?
• How could they be overcome? 
• Are there any possible alternatives to what actually happened?
• What would you do / act differently if you where involved in these case studies?
• How could the situation been handled differently?
• How do you manage the public opinion, and are they valid?
• What is acceptable or not within a zoo / wild situation?
• Should some species be / not be kept in captivity, If so why?
• What are your views and opinions on the case study, do they change, and you see it from another perspective?
• What animals should be in captivity, are some animals more equal than others?
• Consider how these articles have been written, are the positive / negative or impartial in their stance?
• How can animal welfare and husbandry be improved with regards to the case studies?

Can you think of any other discussion points?

The links (bold and underlined text) below are just the start of your research journey, please feel free to do more research to get a full and unbiased view of the situation, but most of all get as much information as possible and discuss

Please be respectful of other people's view and opinions during a discussion.