Year
2020
Season
Fall
Paper Type
Master's Thesis
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Degree Name
Master of Science in Biology (MS)
Department
Biology
NACO controlled Corporate Body
University of North Florida. Department of Biology
First Advisor
Dr. Adam Rosenblatt
Second Advisor
Dr. Quincy Gibson
Rights Statement
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Third Advisor
Dr. Gregory Kohn
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Terry Maple
Department Chair
Dr. Matthew Gilg
College Dean
Dr. George Rainbolt
Abstract
Animal welfare science is a field that focuses on how we can improve the lives and well-being of animals in human care. Modern welfare science has moved away from simply preventing suffering and on to promoting positive welfare states, a concept that has been coined animal “wellness”. A process called evidence-based zoo management has been implemented in many zoos as a way to promote and ensure wellness. This is the idea that husbandry and housing standards should be evaluated and tested for their efficacy using data rather than relying on traditional best practices. In this manuscript we discuss an informal series of steps that can be followed in two case studies of evidence-based management at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. The first explores the process of evaluating a new feeding enrichment for the zoo’s five adult alligators. Outcomes of the enrichment with regards to behavioral goals are discussed as well as shortcomings of the method, including ease of implementation and issues with group social dynamics. The second case study follows the Animal Wellness research team as we evaluated an existing welfare concern with the zoo’s two male coyotes. In particular, pacing and resting behaviors were compared before and after a reduction of staff activity in their immediate environment. These studies aim to provide examples of how an evidence-based method can be successful in informing management decisions and interventions in the zoo environment and how we can use this method to ensure wellness/optimal welfare for zoo animals.
Suggested Citation
Spain, Marisa Suzanne, "Implementing welfare science: case studies in evidence-based zoo management" (2020). UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 980.
https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/etd/980