Recently, the open access scientific journal Animals published a special issue entitled: Zoo and Aquarium Welfare, Ethics, Behavior. Many of the peer-reviewed papers within this special issue focus on and in some instances call for improvements to animal welfare assessment, husbandry, training, housing, and overall management. The goal of the invited editors, which includes the host of Zoo Logic, was to highlight advances and current best practices across a range of species, and to inspire further progress, while also addressing public perceptions and expectations of zoos and aquariums. One such paper, "A Reexamination of the Relationship between Training Practices and Welfare in the Management of Ambassador Animals," by lead author, and long time trainer and founder of Natural Encounters, Steve Martin and veterinarian and researcher, Dave Miller (and yours truly) examines the history and current state of ambassador animal welfare and the need for choosing the right species and individual animals for such programs (and avoiding the wrong ones). The authors make no secret that animal ambassador welfare has generally not kept pace with other advancements in zoo animal well being. It is vital that zoological facilities devote the necessary resources in terms of time, money, animal selection, and staff training to properly handle and ensure the best welfare outcomes for these animals with a unique role.
Animal Care Software
Pacific Marine Mammal Center
A Conversation About Race and Zoos
Humanism vs. Behavior Management
Pittsburgh Zoo's Dr. Barbara Baker
Big Baby Beluga
The Least Reinforcing Scenario
Understanding Dolphin Pulmonary Physiology
Broken Trust: When the Peer Review Process Breaks Down
Into the COVID-19 Lion's Den
Okapi: Ghosts of the Forests
When Legislator Agendas Trump Animal Welfare
Deepwater Horizon: Still Deadly Ten Years Later
Catastrophic: Zoos and Aquariums Fight for Survival Against COVID-19
Ape Trees
Preventing the Next Pandemic: A Humane Conversation About Our Social Contract with Animals
The Politics of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Modeling, Public Health, and Conservation
Global Response of Zoos and Aquariums to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Pandemic: Balancing Animal Welfare with Public Health
Overlooked Species: Wading in to Save Animals No One Cares About
Special Delivery: Columbus Zoo's Historic Cheetah Cubs
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