Animal Husbandry + Ethics

Question 1

Requirements of keeping animals in captivity (3)

Answer 1

Animal welfare Zookeeper needs must be met Zoo visitors needs must be met

Question 2

What are the five freedoms? Freedom from…

Answer 2

Thirst and hunger Discomfort (shelter etc) Pain, injury and disease Fear and distress Freedom to express natural behaviours

Question 3

Importance of animal hygiene (2)

Answer 3

Prevents disease and disease spread Reduces pain/discomfort as a result of disease

Question 4

Personal hygiene prevents… (2)

Answer 4

Spread of zoonoses Spread of parasites via human host

Question 5

Husbandry routines are dependant on… (4)

Answer 5

Life history Reproductive stage External factors (weather) Group size

Question 6

Husbandry routines need to be… (2)

Answer 6

Flexible to allow for change/one-off occurrences Easy to understand and follow

Question 7

Regular weight checks help determine… (4)

Answer 7

Health Sex Seasonal fluctuations in weight How much to feed

Question 8

What is a Maintenance Ration?

Answer 8

When the amount of energy leaving the body = amount going in Ensures animal is not gaining weight, and not being starved

Question 9

Social structures are important in captivity because… (3)

Answer 9

Replicates natural environment Allows breeding opportunities Provides more enrichment

Question 10

Importance of staff training (3)

Answer 10

Ensures correct care Staff can be safe, use PPE, and be hygienic to prevent disease Staff can understand layout of exhibit, behind the scenes areas, use equipment

Question 11

WAZA

Answer 11

World Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Question 12

Animal welfare science

Answer 12

study of animals quality of life and wellbeing, determined by physical and mental wellbeing

Question 13

Application of welfare in a zoo setting

Answer 13

Animals must have good welfare, regardless of conservation, education or research goals

Question 14

Animal welfare can be affected by… (3)

Answer 14

Environmental challenge (e.g. weather), can be out of keepers control Lack of stimulation Adaptation to captivity

Question 15

Employees responsibilities in animal welfare (3)

Answer 15

Ensure 5 freedoms are met Cooperating with colleagues, other zoos for constant learning Rectify any bad welfare

Question 16

Stereotypic behaviours occur when

Answer 16

animals are unable to perform behaviours that they are adapted to show in the wild

Question 17

What animals have the most problems with stereotypy? (3)

Answer 17

Carnivores - cannot hunt = under-stimulated Animals with large home range Reptiles - primitive so have limited capacity for adaptation, and affected by stress induced mortality

Question 18

How do you treat stereotypy? (3)

Answer 18

Stopping doesnt work, results in worse welfare Enrichment Training Housing manipulation (erecting visual barriers)

Question 19

Conditioning

Answer 19

to train/learn a response in reaction to a stimulus

Question 20

Operant/Instrumental conditioning

Answer 20

animal acquires a new response to an existing stimulus (e.g. press a lever to get food)

Question 21

Classical/pavlovian conditioning

Answer 21

animal learns to associate an existing response to a new stimulus (e.g. showing food related behaviours not to food, but the sound of food being prepared)

Question 22

Why is operant conditioning and +ve reinforcement better? (2)

Answer 22

They do not require food deprivation, food is reward Better for animal welfare (compared to -ve reinforcement or punishment)

Question 23

Conditioning can assist with… (4)

Answer 23

Routine husbandry (weighing, movements) Identifying possible health concerns Minimises stress related problems Offers mental stimulation as a form of enrichment

Question 24

Enrichment

Answer 24

Any change to an animals environment that is used to improve the animals fitness and mental well being Stimulate wild type behaviours

Question 25

Aims of enrichment (4)

Answer 25

Promote behaviours Provide comparisons between wild and captive Promote and inhibit certain behaviours Be in line with animals natural activity levels

Question 26

Public perception of conditioning

Answer 26

Public see it as doing tricks

Question 27

Benefits of conditioning (6)

Answer 27

Facilitates husbandry (observations and movements) Improves health and welfare Improves keeper safety Enrichment Enhances animal-human interaction Improves reintroduction success

Question 28

Negatives of conditioning (3)

Answer 28

Increases domestication Can be too invasive = stress Reduces conservation value of the animal (imprinting, animal-animal interactions change)