Lecture 1

Question 1

How is abnormal animal behaviour and health firstly identified by animal carers?
Why are these done?

Answer 1

• Through a long-distance examination (top to tail physical inspection) to reduce the chance that the carers presence will alter the behaviour of the animal.
• Because the zoos are responsible for ensuring the welfare of the animals in their care, and these are a necessary tool to do that.

Question 2

What physical and psychological indicators of animal welfare are important to look for in a long-distance examination? (7)

Answer 2

• Abnormal discharge from nose, eyes, mouth, genitals
  
  • Poor coat, skin, feather or scales
  • Hunched posture, limping, strange tail or ear or head positions
  • Distancing from con-specifics, changes in hierarchy or aggression
  • Changes in breathing (difficulty, or shallow)
  • Abnormal faeces, blood or parasite present etc.
• Repetitive movements or excessive time spent performing behaviours. (abnormal time allocation)

Question 3

What is required to detect abnormal psychological and physical indicators of welfare?

Answer 3

• Knowledge of species-specific normal behaviours and physical make up, along with knowledge of individuals within the group and access to accurate records of the animals.

Question 4

What are common management practices use to increase animal welfare? (4)

Answer 4

• Enclosure design for species specific behaviour
  
  • Enrichment (for stimulation and unpredictability)
  • Appropriate social grouping and raising of offspring.
• Mixed species exhibits. (for natural interspecies interactions)