Wild Welfare represented at Japan animal enrichment conference

Marine biologist and animal welfare scientist, Dr Isabella Clegg, represented Wild Welfare at the 14th International Conference on Environmental Enrichment (ICEE), held in Kyoto, Japan recently.

The theme of ICEE 2019 was wild animal behaviour and learning from the wild in order to better enrich animal environments for captive animals.

Dr Isabella presented to conference delegates about her findings from a study of captive dolphins and their enrichments in captivity.

Speaking about the conference Dr Isabella, said: “ICEE 2019 was a really stimulating and forward-looking conference, with many interesting discussions on how we can go further through enrichment programs for captive animals.”

The conference took place at Kyoto University and was attended by more than 200 delegates from the zoo, aquarium and wildlife sectors, including participants from Japanese and international zoos and aquariums, students, researchers and Japanese zoo association representatives.

A variety of interesting presentations were given across the two-day event, on zoo and other animal enrichment, as well as updates from the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA) on its own projects and discussion on the progress of enrichment and welfare within Japanese zoos.

Recent estimates put the number of zoos and aquariums in Japan at more than 3,000. Wild Welfare’s work in Japan is helping to ensure the country’s captive wild animals living in these thousands of facilities can receive good care and welfare.

Dr Isabella was encouraged to see and hear the motivation from zoo people in Japan to work towards better welfare in zoos using carefully considered enrichment programs and both her and Wild Welfare look forward to further talks and cooperation with JAZA and Japanese zoos, on developing animal welfare across the country.

For more on Dr Isabella’s presentation, read our latest blog HERE.

~ENDS~

Notes to Editors

For more information or interview requests please contact Wild Welfare on communications@wildwelfare.org

Wild Welfare is a global organisation committed to improving animal welfare for captive wild animals. By uniting the world’s leading zoos, zoo associations and animal welfare organisations, we build trusting partnerships that help provide long-term solutions to critical wild animal welfare issues.

Our vision is to end the suffering of captive wild animals around the world and ensure full and sustainable protection is given to all animals in human care. Find out more at www.wildwelfare.org. Registered charity in England (no.1165941).