PUBLISHED PAPERS
Wild Welfare uses the most up to date knowledge and research on the care and welfare of captive wild animals to inform and guide its global projects. We have been involved with and conducted our own animal welfare research, the full details of which you can find on this page.
If there is further information you require, please contact us.
Animal-Visitor Interactions in Zoos
A joint study carried out between animal welfare organisation World Animal Protection, the School of Science and Environment at Manchester Metropolitan University and Wild Welfare, assessed and reviewed animal-visitor interactions in zoological facilities around the world.
The study identified the main types of animal-visitor interaction on offer in zoos and aquariums in different parts of the world and what species and groups of animals are being most used. The information gathered is being used for future research and policies focussed on prioritising welfare for captive wild animals.
Download the full study: A Global Review of Animal–Visitor Interactions in Modern Zoos and Aquariums and Their Implications for Wild Animal Welfare below.
Welfare Issues in Developing Country Zoos
Research conducted by Wild Welfare, and Nottingham Trent University’s School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, involved carrying out animal welfare audits in zoos across seven developing countries around the world.
A number of common welfare concerns were revealed, across a number of facilities and countries, in relation to animal behaviour, animal mental states as well as human health and safety concerns. We are using the research results to help shape our global project focus and continue achieving long-term solutions to the most critical issues facing wild animals in captivity.
Download the full research paper: Using Zoo Welfare Assessments to Identify Common Issues in Developing Country Zoos below.
Pandemic effects on the welfare of animals in human care
A Wild Welfare report looking at the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the welfare of wild animals in zoos, aquariums and wildlife sanctuaries around the world.
The report highlights some of the issues that occur as a result of a global pandemic such as COVID-19, including decreased facility revenue and staffing levels and reduced food supplies and increased food costs, and their resulting effects for basic animal care and welfare for animals in zoological facilities.
Download Wild Welfare’s Pandemic impact on revenue loss and its relationship to animal welfare for animals in human care’ below.
Wild Welfare’s Core Standard of Welfare Practice for Captive Animals
What is a welfare standard? A standard is a level of quality or attainment to be achieved. It is used as a measure, norm or model in comparative evaluations. A good animal collection will be held accountable against a number of different standards which can be internationally, nationally, regionally and/or institutionally created.
Wild Welfare has its own standard, that helps support us in evidence-based procedures for the systematic and forensic animal welfare auditing and assessment of captive wild animal collections. Our standard is derived from current and prevailing trends and published literature pertaining to captive wild animal welfare.
Download Wild Welfare’s Core Standard of Welfare Practice for Captive Animals below.
