23 / 80
DISCUSSION – WORKSHOP CONCLUSIONS
AND NEXT STEPS
Moderator: Dr. Heather J. Bacon, University of Edinburgh, UK
We should be looking at physiological, psychological, behavioural
and environmental
“umbrella” parameters
, then at species-
specific criteria within each of these groups:
Play, anticipatory stereotypic, social, abnormal behaviours,
appetite, activity levels responsiveness, grooming, social impacts
of aggression, novel object tests, inappropriate and appropriate
sexual behaviour, other social behaviours, maternal behaviours,
body condition score, rakes, eye condition, dental, cognitive bias,
personality, temperament.
Aquatic specific characteristics
must be evaluated:
echolocation, vibration, sensory experiences
Indirect assessment
e.g. using medical histories, psychotropic
medications, retrospective analysis of morbidity and mortality
data, behavioural observations etc.
Resource provision:
Water quality, shade/sun, space, salinity,
temperature, enrichment, environmental complexity, bioacoustic
parameters
Benchmarking
rather than empirical welfare assessment,
e.g. longevity compared to the wild, may give an idea of what
requires further research.
For enclosure design learn from the wild habitat and offer similar
opportunities, e.g. pup swimming opportunities for pinnipeds.
Offer opportunity for predatory behaviours or equivalent stimuli.
Important parameters, which require further validation:
– C-Well
®
protocol
– Stereotypic behaviours
– Reproduction vs non reproduction – comparative
populations?
– Anticipatory behaviours, positive excitement vs frustration
– Medical history, obvious health problems e.g. dental
problems are already known to be a welfare issue.
What parameters for assessment of animal welfare
are useful for marine mammals?
What parameters for assessment of animal welfare are useful for marine mammals? |
23