Challenges of Zoo Animal Welfare—The Path From Good Care to Great Welfare: Keynote

Abstract

Zoos assume a profound and unique responsibility by keeping nonhuman animals in captivity. There is an assumption within the profession that zoos are only helping species and individual animals, but little systematic work has been done to support that assumption. Promoting conservation (species welfare) is a key foundation of any credible zoo’s mission. Is it at the expense of individual animal welfare? How animals in the zoo see the world—what they perceive and experience—is controlled by the humans and institutions who keep them. Yet, we know little about how zoo animals are faring. Are they thriving or just surviving? Are resources and science devoted to species welfare greater than, and at the expense of, those for individual welfare? Many captive animals have less meaningful control over important aspects of their daily lives than their counterparts in the wild. In order to provide a good quality of life for captive animals, we must understand the main determinants to the well being of each species and each individual. This information should inform institutional policies and professional standards. It should ensure that captive animals are provided with a full range of opportunities, choices, and control. Zoos and aquariums must engage in far more research and discussion regarding the welfare of all captive animals. The Center for Zoo Animal Welfare was established to do just that. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved). (journal abstract)