Topic outline

• Animal Welfare Hub
  

  Animal Welfare Hub

  Animal Welfare Hub
• Animal Welfare Hub
  

  Animal Welfare Hub

  WHAT IS ANIMAL WELFARE?

  Animal welfare generally refers to how animals may feel in specific situations and their physical wellbeing of that individual animal. We will be looking at animal welfare from the perspective of the Five Domains: this includes nutrition, environment, health, behaviour, and mental state.

  How can zoos ensure suitable animal welfare for such a variety of species or individuals in our care?  

  Different concepts of animal welfare may be needed for deciding, for example,

  1. What environmental enrichment should to given to wolves in zoos,
  2. How do we assess the quality of life of an elderly polar bear, or
  3. What is the most humane method for identification-marking of wild animals without affecting their appearance.

  These are just a few ideas, but can zoos change, what can they do to improve the welfare of animals in a modern zoo?
• Introduction to zoos and what are the 5 Domains
  

  Introduction to zoos and what are the 5 Domains

  How have zoos evolved into the modern conservation centres, supporting the survival of endangered animals? 

  As well as ensuring that the animals in our care have the best husbandry and welfare possible.

  Weblinks in this activity will be highlighted in bold and underlined.
  

  • Animal Welfare (Pre Survey) Interactive Content
  • The Evolution of the Zoo Interactive Content
  • What Makes a Good Zoo? Interactive Content
  • The Modern Zoo Interactive Content
  • Where to find out about RZSS conservation projects File
  • What animals should be in zoos? Interactive Content
  • Which of these animals do you find morally and ethically acceptable to be in a zoo? Interactive Content
  • Animal Welfare and the 5 Domains Interactive Content
  • The 5 Domains Interactive Content
  • The 5 Domain Categories Interactive Content
  • Indicators of Good and Poor Animal Welfare Interactive Content
• Nutrition
  

  Nutrition

  How do zoos ensure that all species receive a full and balanced diet? 

  • Nutrition Interactive Content
  • Zoo Nutrition (Advanced) Interactive Content
• Environment
  

  Environment

  How can zoos ensure that animals living conditions can be met? 

  • Enclosure design Interactive Content
• Health
  

  Health

  Who and how do animals maintain good health in zoos?

  • Who is involved in the health care of the animals? Interactive Content
  • Health: The role of a keeper and vet in a zoo Interactive Content
• Behaviour
  

  Behaviour

  What behaviours do we want to encourage or dis-courage in animals in captivity?

  • Animal behaviour Interactive Content
• Mental State
  

  Mental State

   How can zoos improve the lives and mental state of animals in zoos?
  

  
  

  • Improving the mental state of animals in zoos Interactive Content
  • Enrichment Book
  • Enclosure design worksheet and assignment File
  • Enclosure design additional info File
  • When enrichment goes wrong File
  • Enrichment Assignment File
• Animal welfare workshop
  

  Animal welfare workshop

  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. Apply your skills in this welfare exercise.

  • Animal Welfare Workshop Interactive Content
  • Animal welfare assessment forms File
• Case studies
  

  Case studies

  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, what is your view and opinion?

  • Animal welfare case studies Interactive Content
• Further Information
  

  Further Information

  Extra information about RZSS (Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park).

  • Additional information Interactive Content
• Post survey
  

  Post survey
• What activities are acceptable in a modern zoo
  

  What activities are acceptable in a modern zoo

  Print out the sheets and in your groups, use them to spark discussion reference animal welfare in zoos. What are animal welfare issues, are they relevant, historical or current. 

  Conduct research and see if the zoos still conduct these activities or do not. If yes, why?

  
  

  • Excel Animal Welfare Assessment form File