Level Of Animal Welfare Research Articles

Effects of Housing Systems on Production Performance, Egg Quality, Tonic Immobility and Feather Score in Laying Hens.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of different housing systems on production performance, egg quality and welfare in laying hens. One hundred and twenty 42-week-old "Atak S" laying hens, purchased from a manufacturing company, were randomly assigned to 4 housing systems: conventional cages, furnished cages, deep-litter system and free-range. Each system housed 30 hens, which were kept in these systems for 6 weeks. Parameters regarding production performance, egg quality, plumage condition scores and tonic immobility were assessed at the end of the housing period. Egg production and egg mass were lower in cage-free rearing systems than in caged systems. Mean egg weight in free-range hens, and albumen height and Haugh unit in deep-litter hens, were lower than in other housing systems. Eggshell weight in hens housed in furnished cages was greater than in free-range hens, while eggshell strength was better compared to that of hens in conventional cages. The housing system did not impact fearfulness; however, the deep-litter housing increased the sensitivity to touch or capture. Whole body and regional plumage condition scores of free-range hens elicited more favourable results than those kept in conventional cages. Because the plumage condition indicates welfare, the results proved the superiority of free-range over conventional rearing regarding welfare. Concerning the parameters, such as egg production, animal welfare and fear level, overall data revealed the pros and cons of all housing systems investigated. We consider that this study's findings might contribute to the researchers and breeders seeking alternative housing for laying hens.

Views of Polish High School Students on the Criteria for Assessing Farm Animal Welfare

Abstract We surveyed young people’s opinions on the criteria for assessing farm animal welfare, which provided information on how they understand the human-animal relationship. Among the Polish high school students surveyed, the prevailing opinion was that the most important criterion for assessing farmed animals’ welfare is their sentience. Most respondents considered the method of housing to be the least important criterion. Among high school students, the dominant belief was that animals are capable of suffering. Respondents differed mainly in their beliefs about the intensity of emotions and suffering experienced by nonhuman vertebrates. These differences affected the dietary choices of young people and their willingness to take actions that indirectly contribute to ensuring a higher level of animal welfare. The results of the research indicate the need to consider the perspective of young people as a specific social category in debates on welfare.

Animal Welfare Investigation of Akkaraman Sheep Farms in Different Provinces of Türkiye

ABSTRACT In this study, it was aimed to reveal the animal welfare levels in Akkaraman sheep breed in Türkiye. In this direction, welfare assessment was carried out at the farm level with the Animal Needs Index (ANI 35L/2000) method in a total of 71 Akkaraman sheep flock applications on animals were carried out on a total of 1525 sheep. According to the ANI score scale, the average score of all farms was determined as 39.52. In the study, welfare scores were found as 38.32, 41.47, and 38.78 in Çankırı, Çorum and Kırşehir provinces, respectively (p = 0.034); it was found as 39.70, 40.14, and 38.69 in small (≤100), medium (100-200) and large (>200) farms (p = 0.535), respectively. While the Famacha and Fecal scores of sheep were found to be low score in sheep raised in Çankırı than in sheep raised in other two cities, the differences were found to be statistically significant in both parameters (p = 0.007 and 0.021). As a result, it has been observed that having opportunity for animals to go out to yard and pasture has a positive effect on animal welfare.

A Research Study on the Determination of the Level of Animal Welfare in Sheep Farming Enterprises in the Central District of Iğdır Province

This study was conducted to determine and evaluate the level of animal welfare in sheep farming enterprises in the central district of Igdir province. In the study, the data obtained through the face-to-face survey method from 100 enterprises were evaluated. In the assessment, it was determined that in terms of animal welfare, the resting, lighting, ventilation, feeding and watering areas were sufficient at a rate of 72%, 76%, 83%, 72%, and 75%, respectively. It was reported that 97% of enterprises had lamb compartments, of which 67% were sufficient. Ram compartments were present in 73% of enterprises and 60% of them were sufficient. Sick animal compartments existed in 72% of enterprises, and 47% of them were sufficient. Lambing compartments were found in 76% of enterprises, and 54% of them were sufficient. When the animal welfare related parts of the enterprises were examined, it was determined that shearing sheds, footbaths, sheep baths, vehicle baths, loading ramps, and manager/caretaker houses were not present in 73%, 92%, 92%, 92%, 51%, and 71% of enterprises, respectively. It was found that 63% of enterprises did not have lambing pens, and 70% did not perform cord cleaning. It was determined that 90% of enterprises had lame animals and 79% had been attacked by foreign animals. As a result, in order to ensure the permanence of animal welfare, it will create an awareness in producers that institutions and organizations require animal shelters to comply with animal welfare while building, renovating or providing livestock support..

The use of high expansion foam for stunning and killing pigs and poultry.

The EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the use of high-expansion foam for stunning and killing pigs and poultry. A dossier was provided by the applicant as the basis for an assessment of the extent to which the method is able to provide a level of animal welfare at least equivalent to that ensured by the currently allowed methods for pigs and poultry. According to legislation, to be approved in the EU, new stunning methods must ensure (1) the absence of pain, distress or suffering until the onset of unconsciousness, and (2) that the animal remains unconscious until death. An ad hoc Working Group set up by EFSA performed the assessment as follows: (1) The data provided were checked against the criteria laid down in the EFSA Guidance (EFSA, 2018), and was found to partially fulfil those criteria; (2) extensive literature search; (3) data extraction for quantitative assessment; (4) qualitative exercise based on non-formal expert elicitation. The assessment led to conclude that it is more likely than not (certainty > 50%-100%) that high-expansion foam for stunning and killing pigs and poultry, named NEFS in container (Nitrogen Expansion Foam Stunning in container), provides a level of welfare at least equivalent to one or more of the currently allowed methods listed in Annex I of Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009. The overall assessment of EFSA is valid only under the technical conditions described in this Opinion for laying hens, broiler chickens of all age and pigs weighing 15-41 kg insituations other than slaughter. The overall assessment of EFSA is that NEFS can be suitable for depopulation using containers for pig and poultry farms respecting the technical conditions and the categories and types of animals defined in this Scientific Opinion.

Assessment of Animal Welfare at an Exotic Animal Fair in Poland: A Focus on the Quality of Exhibition Containers for Reptiles and Amphibians.

Given the growing number of events involving exotic animals, it is crucial to prioritize the well-being of the animals involved. This study aims to evaluate the quality of animal presentation at a selected fair in Poland and assess the level of animal welfare evident in the exhibition boxes, contributing to the ongoing dialogue on this important issue. The evaluators used a five-point Likert scale and a Yes/No system to analyze the living conditions during the fair, including the size of containers, presence of substrate, and environmental enrichment. They also assessed the occurrence of visual abnormal postures and behaviors to gauge the overall level of welfare. To ensure the reliability and consistency of the data and minimize potential bias, each evaluator repeated the rating process three times, with a three-week interval between each session. An average value was then calculated for each aspect. A total of 818 animals were present at the fair, with 688 being reptiles (84.11%) and 130 being amphibians (15.89%). This study revealed that the provision of substrate scored higher for reptiles compared to amphibians, while the size of containers for amphibians received higher ratings than those for reptiles. Visual abnormalities in posture and behavior were more common in reptiles than in amphibians. Display containers for snakes received the lowest ratings and showed more visual abnormalities in posture and behavior, raising concerns about their welfare. Despite the presence of environmental enrichment, the overall level of animal welfare was assessed as being medium/low. Pearson's correlation coefficient indicated good reliability among the evaluators during the assessment process, with most assessments showing values > 0.8. Despite existing regulations for exhibitors, neglect remains prevalent. These findings highlight the potential negative impact of animal exposure at fairs on animal welfare. Display containers were often inadequately sized for the animals, particularly for snakes, chameleons, monitor lizards, and salamanders.

Hygiene Assessment of Buffalo Milking Parlours in Campania Region, Italy: A Preliminary Study by Using ATP Luminometry and Bacteriological Investigation.

Careful cleaning of a milking parlour and its equipment is fundamental to guarantee good raw milk quality and prevent the dissemination of bacteria and improve animal welfare. This study aimed to investigate, using an ATP-bioluminescence assay and bacteriological analysis, the bacterial contamination of milking parlours on milking parlour surfaces of buffalo farms in the Campania Region, evaluating the seasonal dynamics during the year 2022. Eight farms were selected by the Italian ClassyFarm system, which assesses the level of animal welfare and biosecurity according to risk analysis. Before sampling, all dairy farm owners filled out a questionnaire on milking management, animal hygiene, and health. The questionnaires evidenced similar cleaning procedures but an absence of a standardised cleaning protocol among the different farms. ATP bioluminescence results evidenced similar levels of contamination in all the selected buffalo farms, and the season comparison showed no significant differences. A variation in the percentages of bacterial isolates during the different seasons was observed, with a higher prevalence of Enterobacteriaceae (38%) in summer. A small number of samples exhibited an absence of bacterial growth. Identifying bacteria is crucial for understanding the microorganisms present in the milking parlour, yet employing ATP luminometry could offer broad and accurate applications in buffalo milking parlours. In conclusion, the use of ATP bioluminescence for evaluating the hygiene of a buffalo milking parlour could represent a further important advancement in dairy farming technology.

Assessing the impact of biosecurity practices and animal welfare in small-scale mountain dairy farming

This study estimates the association between the level of biosecurity, animal welfare, milk quality, and economic performance on 2291 mountain dairy farms which largely differs in management and structure from large dairy operations in the lowlands mainly due to climatic and topographic constraints in mountain areas. The dairy industry’s increasing emphasis on biosecurity is crucial for ensuring animal health, productivity, and disease mitigation. Therefore, in the present study the biosecurity and animal welfare status of mountain dairy farms were assessed considering the official welfare protocol for dairy cows of the Italian ClassyFarm system. Our findings reveal a suboptimal adoption of biosecurity measures, attributed to structural limitations in mountain farms and farmers’ awareness gaps. Despite these challenges, the economic significance of biosecurity adoption is evident, emphasizing potential benefits for farm viability and animal health. Conversely, the study indicates a moderate to good welfare status in assessed farms, reflecting farmers’ awareness of the importance of high welfare standards for dairy cows. Improved welfare positively correlates with milk sales and productivity, highlighting the economic advantages of prioritizing animal well-being. Challenges persist, particularly regarding animal housing deficiencies and related consumer concerns about animal welfare in dairy production. Therefore, targeted interventions and educational initiatives are crucial to empower farmers and promote best practices in biosecurity and animal welfare management. However, addressing resultant production cost increases necessitates society’s willingness to pay more for animal-based food, emphasizing the importance of aligning economic incentives with sustainable farming practices.

Understanding the level of animal welfare and associated factors among cat owners in Banyuwangi, Indonesia.

The "Five Freedoms" concept has shaped the development and implementation of animal welfare assessments. This study aimed to analyze the determinants that impact the understanding of animal welfare among individuals who own cats in Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia. Questionnaires and interviews were used in this study to gather data from cat owners. One hundred cat owners in Banyuwangi Regency took part in the study. The classification considered factors such as gender, age, education level, occupation, income, and number of cats. The questionnaire passed both validity and reliability tests and was thus deemed suitable for data measurement. The Chi-square test was employed to investigate relationships within the dataset. A statistically significant correlation (p < 0.05) was established between cat owners' level of education, occupation, monthly household income, and their grasp of animal welfare, with the number of cats in their household being a determinant factor. Some cat owners in Banyuwangi undervalue veterinarians' role in treating and preventing feline health issues. The cat owners' understanding of animal welfare was unaffected by their age or gender. 59% of the cat owners had a low understanding level, 22% had a moderate understanding level, and 19% had a high understanding level. In Banyuwangi Regency, 59% of cat owners lack understanding of animal welfare concerns. An owner's educational background, job, income, and whether they own a cat impact their comprehension of animal welfare principles. Limited awareness of animal welfare and veterinarians' roles exists in Indonesia. It is crucial to educate government officials, veterinarians, and regional leaders about animal welfare for the sake of sustainability. A complete understanding of this topic demands rigorous research, comprehensive studies, and reproducibility. Equally important is effective publicity for the cat population.

Termografia infravermelha como ferramenta na avaliação do bem-estar de equinos manejados soltos ou estabulados

ABSTRACT This study aims to describe the effects of stabling on thermographic characteristics of adult equine limbs, to compare the level of animal welfare between horses kept loose and those under continuous stabling and to investigate whether the Infrared Thermography (IRT) can be an effective tool to evaluate the welfare of equines. 24 gelding horses of Brazilian Sport Horse breed, aged between 5 and 9 years and weighing 500 ± 50kg were used in a 6-week trial. They were divided into 2 groups: 1) Paddock - equines kept in paddocks and ridden exclusively on urban patrol; 2) Stall - animals that ridden exclusively on urban patrol, but were kept in continuous stabling, housed in 12m² with concrete and bedless stables. Every animal was evaluated once a week over six weeks. Animal behavior and temperature of the eyes and distal extremities of the limbs as well as blood samples were collected. The confined horses showed stereotyped behavior and higher serum cortisol, indicating lower animal welfare when compared to those managed in a pasture. Limb IRT showed predictive potential for identifying chronic stress as the discriminating analysis showed 74.5% hits while eye temperature was not efficient for this purpose.

Influenza risks arising from mixed intensive pig and poultry farms, with a spotlight on the United Kingdom

Diseases passed to humans from animals (zoonoses) constitute 75% of emerging infectious diseases. Farmed animals are considered a high zoonotic risk, especially poultry and pigs as evidenced by recent outbreaks of avian and swine influenza. This review sought to collate recent knowledge of the disease risks from keeping pigs and chickens intensively and in close proximity to each other. Recent knowledge on influenza viruses compounds the public health concerns; no longer are concerns about “mixing vessel” hosts limited to pigs, but several other animal species too at a high level of probability—most notably chickens and humans. More generally, scientific literature establishing positive associations between intensive animal farming, human population growth, reduced biodiversity, and increased zoonoses risks is abundant. This includes the publication of relevant systematic reviews. The collected scientific evidence on this issue is clear: there is exceptionally strong evidence for a link between low animal welfare levels and high zoonotic risks, exacerbated by animal crowding, low genetic diversity, compromised hygiene, and high animal stress levels which compromise immune systems. Based on this evidence, further industrialized animal farms—especially poultry and pig farms or a mix thereof, and particularly in areas that already have a high concentration of farmed animals—should not generally be permitted to proceed. Instead, efforts should concentrate on supporting arable agriculture (or transitions toward this) and de-intensifying remaining animal farms, in alignment with One Health/One Welfare approaches within which animal health and welfare are integral parts of any farming operation. Among numerous other factors, this would involve reducing stocking densities down to 11 kg/m2 (around five chickens/m2) for meat chickens, and down to one pig/1.5 m2 for pigs (assuming a 100 kg pig).

Assessing Animal Welfare Risk in Fibre-Producing Animals by Applying the Five Domains Framework.

Nearly 5 billion farm animals, including waterfowl, cattle, sheep, goats, and alpacas, are being affected by the fashion industry. There is an urgent need for a system that evaluates their welfare. The rise in public interest on the topic of animal welfare is leading to the creation of different textile standards or certification schemes, which can give us an overview of the general state of expectations in terms of animal welfare within the textile industry. We therefore created a risk assessment tool and applied it to 17 different textile standards. Our results showed that only one of the standards reached a score in the "Acceptable" animal welfare risk category, and the rest of the standards had even lower scores of risks for animal welfare. In general, industry standards have not demanded sufficient requirements for higher levels of animal welfare. While the current risk assessment gave us a good idea of what is considered acceptable within the industry, it is also not necessarily representative of the risks for the majority of farm animals that are part of the textile industry. Only a small number of animal-derived materials are certified with some form of animal welfare standards, even though these standards can play an important role in improving the standard of care for animals. To evaluate the actual welfare states of the animals in fibre production, further research is needed to apply the proposed tool to actual farms.

From Animal Personality to Animal Individuality in Farm Animals – A Review

Abstract As a result of the domestication process and systematic breeding, livestock species have been shaped as donors of animal goods for humans. The animals’ role so defined, which has remained unchanged for millennia, now faces criticism from intellectuals (posthumanism), pro-animal activists, and increasingly often, postmodern societies. The core aspect of this growing conflict can be described at the level relationship between the personality/individuality of farm animals, animals as persons/nonpersons, and animals as moral subjects/agents. This review aims to discuss these relationships in the context of the current state of ethical reflection and knowledge, and in relation to the future of livestock production. It presents problems of definition and research methodology in the field of animal personality, with particular reference to farm animals, characterises the dilemmas of the moral status of animals in the personality/individuality of farm animals – animals as persons/nonpersons – animals as moral subjects/agents, and discusses the relationship between farm animal personality and animal individuality; moreover, it undertakes to analyse the possibilities of individualised treatment of farm animals at the level of future livestock production. It concludes, among other things, that the concept of “animal personality” in relation to farm animals remains undefined in both research and social spaces. While livestock animals remain moral subjects, some ethical concepts attribute to them a wider range of rights intended for personal moral agents. At the same time, it was noted that an individualised approach to animals appears to be one of the most important aspects in the sourcing food of animal origin in the future, in line with a systematically increasing level of animal welfare.

Exploring undergraduate students’ perceptions of food animal production and their sense of belonging in an introductory animal science course

New animal science undergraduates are further removed from agriculture than ever before, many coming from non-agricultural backgrounds lacking experience with food animals. In addition to beginning a degree program in which they have little experience, undergraduates face unique challenges during their transition to college, which could impact retention and success in their chosen major. The focal course, Food Animal Science: ANEQ 101, is an introductory animal science course composed primarily of first year animal science students. This course utilized experiential learning by implementing laboratories with dairy calves providing hands-on experience. Pre- and post-surveys were developed to assess students’ perceptions of food animal production, welfare, and sense of belonging in the Animal Science major at the beginning and end of this course that was characterized by hands-on opportunities; quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed on 114 paired survey responses. Respondents were mostly female (79%, n = 91), white (80.7%, n = 92), and from non-agricultural backgrounds (83.3%, n = 95). Despite only half (51.8%, n = 59) of respondents indicating that they had experience with food animals, most respondents indicated that they agreed being comfortable with food animal production (96.5%, n = 110) and working with food animals (95.6%; n = 109); agreement with these statements was similar in the post-survey (P &amp;gt; 0.05). More students agreed with the statement “In the United States, food animals are raised with an acceptable level of animal welfare” (P = 0.016) in the post-survey as compared with the pre-survey. In the pre- and post-survey, questions related to belonging garnered positive responses, consequently, there was no evidence that students’ sense of belonging in the major was altered during the course. Two free-response questions asked respondents to comment on their sense of belonging in the major. Thematic analysis of these answers identified themes related to belonging, including Learning and Curriculum, Career Goals and Aspirations, Passion for Working with Animals, Self-Assurance, and Community and Classroom Environment. The majority of students had positive views about production and their sense of belonging within the major highlighting the value of integrating experiential learning opportunities for students studying animal science.

Improvement of the Welfare Quality scoring model for dairy cows to fit experts’ opinion

After several years of implementation, the original Welfare Quality scoring model for dairy cows appears to be highly sensitive to the number and cleanliness of drinkers and not enough to the prevalence of diseases, and as a consequence may not fit the opinion of some animal welfare experts. The present paper aims to improve the Welfare Quality calculations for the criteria ‘Absence of prolonged thirst’ and ‘Absence of disease’ in dairy cows, so that the results are more sensitive to input data and better fit experts’ opinion. First, we modified the calculation of ‘Absence of prolonged thirst’ by linearising the calculation for drinkers’ availability to avoid threshold effects. Second, we modified the calculation of ‘Absence of disease’ by applying a Choquet integral on the three lowest spline-based scores for each health disorder to limit compensation between health disorders. Third, we performed a global sensitivity analysis of the original and the alternative scoring models. Fourth, we compared the results obtained with the original and the alternative models with eight experts’ opinions on two subsets composed of 44 and 60 farms, respectively, inspected using the Welfare Quality protocol and on which experts gave their opinion on the overall level of animal welfare. Results show that the alternative model significantly reduced the ‘threshold effects’ related to the number of drinkers and the compensation between health disorders. On the first subset, the alternative model fits the experts’ opinion slightly better than the original model (P = 0.061). On the second subset, the models performed equally. In conclusion, the proposed refinements for calculating scores are validated since they significantly reduced ‘threshold effects’ and the influence of measures related to drinkers. It also reduced the compensation between health disorders by considering only the three lowest scores and thus increasing the influence of measures related to health disorders, and slightly improve at overall score level the accordance with experts’ opinion.

Qualitative and quantitative monitoring of antibiotics on dairy cattle farms in relation to animal welfare indicators

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing concern for the scientific community and the public, so many countries have stepped up monitoring to tackle it and promote correct antimicrobial use. The welfare assessment protocol for dairy cows used by the Italian National Reference Centre for Animal Welfare (CReNBA) recommends lowering the use of antibiotics, so this study assessed the effects of the introduction of the welfare score on antimicrobial use and animal welfare between 2015 and 2018. For this study, 23 dairy farms in northern Italy (Piedmont) were enrolled. Data on animal categories (calf, heifer and cow) and antimicrobial use were extrapolated from mandatory farm registers. The antimicrobial animal-defined daily dose (ADDD) and the ADDD per year (ADDD/year) were calculated. Each farm was evaluated with the CReNBA welfare assessment protocol for dairy cows. An increase was recorded for 2018 regarding the number of reared animals (especially adult cows) and in the welfare (2015: 71.44% ± 7.84% vs. 2018: 76.18% ± 6.40%; p < 0.05) and biosecurity score (2015: 44.42 ± 11.87 vs 2018: 60.49 ± 11.13; p ≤ 0.01). The mean ADDD/y was lower for 2018 (3.04 ± 1.3 vs. 3.61 ± 1.5; p = 0.01), despite the extensive use of beta-lactams and cephalosporins. Most farms with high welfare scores showed a lower ADDD/y in both years. The correlation between higher levels of animal welfare and lower antimicrobial consumption suggests that drug use can be reduced improving animal well-being on the farm. Further reductions may be achieved by strengthening synergism between public health agencies and farm veterinarians.

Associated risk factors for skin alterations in dairy cattle kept on small scale mountain farms.

The objective of this study was to determine the risk factors for skin alterations at herd and cow level on dairy farms with different housing systems in South Tyrol (Northern Italy). A cross-sectional study was conducted on 204 farms (111 free stalls and 93 tie stalls) from March to October 2019 assessing the level of animal welfare using resource-based and animal-based indicators. A total number of 1,891 dairy cows were evaluated, of which 43.5% were reared in tie stalls and 56.5% in free stalls. A logistic regression model identified the herd and cow level risks factors for neck and leg skin alterations in the two different systems. There was a higher prevalence for skin lesions on the neck (Odd Ratio (OR) = 2.36) and hock (OR = 2.82) for tie stalls. Irrespective of the housing system the soft-based stall mattresses had a lower prevalence for knee and hock lesions of 0.48 and 0.54, respectively, compared to wood base stalls for both knee (OR = 2.19) and hock (OR = 2.47) consecutively. The prevalence of skin alterations on the knee (OR = 0.42) and hock (OR = 0.33) decreased by the presence of sawdust as bedding material. Similarly, straw (OR = 0.61) and lime-straw-water bedding (OR = 0.59) reduced the prevalence for skin alterations on the hock. Access to pasture reduced the prevalence of skin alterations on the neck (OR = 0.34), the knee (OR = 0.77), and on the hock (OR = 0.46) regardless of the housing system. In conclusion, the assessment of risk factors of different skin alterations in different housing systems can contribute to the improvement of overall animal welfare in traditional small scale mountain dairy systems.

Seminatural environments for rodent behavioral testing: a representative design improving animal welfare and enhancing replicability.

The low replicability of scientific studies has become an important issue. One possible cause is low representativeness of the experimental design employed. Already in the 1950's, Egon Brunswick pointed out that experimental setups ideally should be based on a random sample of stimuli from the subjects' natural environment or at least include basic features of that environment. Only experimental designs satisfying this criterion, representative designs in Brunswikian terminology, can produce results generalizable beyond the procedure used and to situations outside the laboratory. Such external validity is crucial in preclinical drug studies, for example, and should be important for replicability in general. Popular experimental setups in rodent research on non-human animals, like the tail suspension test or the Geller-Seifter procedure, do not correspond to contexts likely to be encountered in the animals' habitat. Consequently, results obtained in this kind of procedures can be generalized neither to other procedures nor to contexts outside the laboratory. Furthermore, many traditional procedures are incompatible with current notions of animal welfare. An approximation to the natural social and physical context can be provided in the laboratory, in the form of a seminatural environment. In addition to satisfy the basic demands for a representative design, such environments offer a far higher level of animal welfare than the typical small cages. This perspective article will briefly discuss the basic principles of the generalizability of experimental results, the virtues of representative designs and the coincidence of enhanced scientific quality and animal welfare provided by this kind of design.

The influence of feeding routines on the behavior of zoo-housed Sulawesi crested black macaques (Macaca nigra).

Many species thrive in captivity, yet there is still much to be assessed regarding the often-unknown stressors present that can compromise welfare. Uncovering such stressors is of paramount importance if we are to ensure the zoo environment provides the highest levels of animal welfare that will contribute to species conservation. Zoo-housed primates are subject to many potential stressors, including daily husbandry routines which they may find aversive or habituate to, regardless of their outcome. The specific aim of this study was to assess the behavioral responses to daily husbandry feeding routines on a total of 33 Sulawesi crested black macaques (Macaca nigra), across two different UK zoological collections. Group scan sampling was used to record behaviors for 30-minperiods before feeding (BF), for 30 min after feeding (AF), which we began 30 min after feed provision, and for 30 min when no feeding occurred (NF). The feeding condition significantly influenced behaviors recorded and post-hoc comparisons showed that BF conditions produced significantly higher frequencies of food anticipatory related activity (FAA). Furthermore, during BF periods, behaviors associated with FAA increased during the 15 min closer to a feed. This research finds that temporal feeding events cause changes in the behavior of two independent groups of crested macaques, indicative of food anticipation activity, during 30-minperiods leading up to a feed. These results have implications for how animal keeper routines and advertised zoo feeds are managed for this species within zoological collections.

Entanglement in recreational fishing gear poses a threat to estuarine and coastal dolphins: Animal welfare and population level impacts should guide intervention decision making

Derelict and active fishing gear poses a threat to marine wildlife. This study details Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin entanglements in recreational fishing gear in the Peel-Harvey Estuary, Western Australia between 2016 and 2022. Eight entanglements were recorded, three resulted in death. While concerning from an animal welfare perspective, the impact of entanglements on the viability of the local dolphin population was low. This is as majority of affected individuals were juvenile males. Should entanglements result in the loss of reproductive females, or impact their reproductive success, the population trajectory could quickly change. As such, management decision making should consider population level impacts as well as the welfare of entangled individuals. Government agencies, together with relevant stakeholders, should work together to maintain preparedness to respond to entanglements and take preventative action that lowers the risk of interactions with recreational fishing gear.