Assessment of Welfare of Marine Mammal Species in Zoological Parks

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Developing and applying animal welfare indicators for
species held by zoos and aquaria – what does it take?
DR. HEATHER J. BACON
Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education
University of Edinburgh
Animal welfare science is a multidisciplinary field comprising
both social and scientific themes. Animal welfare is important
because of its impacts on animal health, international trade,
industry, economic viability, and consumer perceptions.
Animal use in zoos and aquaria (zoos) is controversial and may
be criticised unless the welfare of animals is guaranteed, but the
ability of zoos around the world to provide good animal welfare
is hindered by gaps in knowledge, as the species they house have
diverse and complex needs (Melfi, 2009). Globally zoos have not
always had access to necessary animal husbandry information,
and developments in animal welfare science have historically
been biased towards the agricultural industry (Goulart et al.,
2009), meaning that animal welfare in zoos has relied upon taking
remedial action, once indicators
of poor welfare are identified in
zoo animals (Melfi, 2009). Thus
robust welfare indicators in many
zoo species have not yet been
developed (Wickins-Dražilová).
An evidence-based approach
is essential to improve zoo
animal welfare by benchmarking
current welfare states and then
promoting positive welfare in
zoo animals. Part of the problem
within zoo animal management
is that most health and
husbandry practices are based
on tradition rather than empirical
evidence. Many zoos do not
employ fulltime veterinary staff,
ethologists or welfare scientists
but may rely on animal keeping
staff with restricted access to
or awareness of current animal
welfare literature (Hill and Broom,
2009) to assess animal welfare,
thus collaborations with welfare scientists are essential to develop
robust welfare assessment methods.
These issue have inhibited a preventative approach to animal
welfare problems in zoos, with insufficient welfare indicators
for zoo animals so-far developed, and zoos taking remedial action
only once poor welfare is identified.
This presentation will explore the challenges we face in developing
and applying animal welfare indicators to zoo and aquarium
animal species.
Full Presentation page 58-65
Dr. Heather J. Bacon
Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education
University of Edinburgh
Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies Tel. +44 (0) 131 651 7300
EH25 9RG Edinburgh, United Kingdom Email:
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