The welfare of wild animals in zoological institutions: are we meeting our duty of care?

Abstract

Across the world there are many different species of wild animals maintained in zoological institutions of one sort or another for a variety of purposes. Their welfare is directly dependent upon the quality of life they experience, which in turn is driven by the understanding the owner/keeper has of the needs of the animals. This ‘understanding’ may or may not be informed by scientific knowledge. Sub‐optimal conditions and/or husbandry practices can result in injury, disease and poor mental health; hence, it is critical that environmental conditions, management and husbandry techniques are employed that promote positive physical and psychological health for all wild animals in human care. An individual needs good psychological health, as well as good physical health, to achieve good welfare. Further complicating the issue is the variation in existing animal‐welfare legislation and in the range of species afforded protection under the legislation between different countries. This paper emerges from an initiative to improve and promote good welfare in zoological institutions that have suboptimal conditions in countries where help is needed most. This initiative included fostering relationships with zoo and aquarium officials and regulatory bodies based on an assessment of what needs to be done for specific facilities to improve welfare for the animals under their care. An approach to advancing animal welfare was developed by establishing the fundamental requirements for the welfare of wild animals in human care and developing an accompanying assessment tool. This approach incorporated the Five Domains animal‐welfare model as the central evaluative device.