Health and welfare Flashcards
Explain the basics of the following ethical theories: Utilitarianism; Virtue ethics; Principlism; Rights theory; Respect for nature
Greatest good for the greatest number
Doing what is morally right
Autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice
Animals have rights that should be respected
Nature should be left to do it’s own thing
Explain particular applied ethical issues which occur in relation to wild animals and how those differ from ethical issues which occur in relation to domesticated animals
The debate of breeding in captivity because they aren’t being domesticated
The debate of whether we should be ‘interfering’ with nature by keeping wild animals in zoos
Discuss the ethics of cloning of endangered species as an example of animal ethics in action
Foetal abnormalities, dystocia, systemic illness, premature ageing, resources diverted from habitats, doesn’t address causes of extinction
an appreciation of the importance of invertebrates, in terms of their numbers and role in biodiversity, their need for conservation and their relevance to the wellbeing of human communities
Pollinators, detritivores, part of food chain, pest control of plants, live feeding, research models, to make drugs
an awareness of how to observe, handle and examine invertebrates and how to assess their health and welfare
Masses, ectoparasites, wounds, fungal infections, dehydration, damaged/missing limbs/antenna, abnormal colouration
Gain an understanding of the observation, handling and clinical examination of invertebrates through demonstration of real cases.
Gentle handling with care to how they like to stand/hold onto branches
inverts - An awareness of why their effective captive management is dependent on a robust understanding of the life cycle and ecology of each species.
Different requirements will be needed
an understanding of the limitations, in terms of nutrition, in the management of captive invertebrates and the limitations of emulating wild diets in captive environments.
Food items that would provide best nutrition aren’t always commercially available
Natural enclosures are difficult to maintain cleanliness and biosecurity
Define animal welfare and the difference between welfare, rights and ethics
The physical and mental state of an animal in relation to its conditions (e.g. environment and husbandry). Rights relate to how an animal should be treated and what they should/shouldn’t be used for. Ethics are moral principles governing someone’s actions
Describe the regulatory and moral obligations that a zoological collection has towards its animals’ welfare
5 needs; diet, expression of natural behaviours, with/without companionship, protection from unnecessary pain/suffering, suitable environment
A ‘duty of care’
Have an understanding of measures of assessment of animal welfare that a zoo can employ
5 domains: health, environment, behaviour, mental state, nutrition
5 needs: protection from unnecessary pain/suffering, to be housed with or without others, suitable diet, suitable environment, opportunity to exhibit normal behaviours
Understand the problems associated with the assessment of welfare of zoo animals
It depends on welfare definitions used
Understand the differences between horns, tusks and antlers
Horns – aren’t shed, tusks – made from tooth enamel, antlers – are shed
Have a working knowledge of the major differences between the digestive systems of artiodactyls and perissodactyls, and resulting implications for management
Perissodactyls – hindgut fermenter
Artiodactyls – ruminants (4 chambers and chew cud), pseudo-ruminants (3 chambers and chew cud), multi-chambered non-ruminant (3 chambers and don’t chew cud)
Understand practical methods for influencing hoof health
Flooring (soft/hard), hoof trimming
Formulate the basis of a balanced diet for captive hoofed mammals
Browsing – leaves, grazing – grass, supplementary feed
Understand the main methods of breeding management
Social groups, managing males, obesity, nutrition requirements changing though and post-pregnancy
All major disease causes in raptors
food contamination and infection, respiratory, aspergillosis, trauma, parasitic
consider key factors in design and creation of a raptor collection
Floors, perches, nets rather than mesh, material that doesn’t hold heat
Consider all causes of impaired locomotion in its widest sense, considering the aetiology, prevention, diagnosis, control and treatment of all causes.
Bumblefoot, MBD
State two methods for assessing a bird’s condition, beyond a physical examination
Faecal analysis and blood analysis
Define the A, B, C’s of operant behaviour, in relation to applied behavioural analysis
antecedent (A) is a stimulus, behaviour (B) is the actions an individual performs, and consequence (C) is the outcome of the behaviour
Explain the key impacts that the use of punishment as a training method might have on an animals welfare, in the context of zoo-housed animals
Individuals will become likely to skip stages of warning signs given to others, resulting in more aggressive behaviour without any signals beforehand.
Individuals may suffer from learned helplessness to an extent where they can become depressed, reducing their movements and exercise.
Individuals will form a negative association with those giving the punishments, meaning that trust will not be built and they may take longer to comply with novel procedures.
Why are amphibians threatened with extinction?
Climate change, habitat loss, emerging infectious disease, invasive species, overexploitation
Why are amphibians thought to be suitable candidates for conservation breeding initiatives?
Small size, high fecundity, relatively inexpensive
What are the risks in embarking on conservation breeding programmes in a zoo setting?
Attractive to small institutions with limited budgets, long term commitment, often poorly executed and thought out, often lacking knowledge of species biology
Describe the key characteristics of amphibians
Permeable skin, no scales, dependant on water for breeding
Understand semi closed systems in the management of water quality
Regular, partial water change
Describe why the captive diets of many amphibians may be sub-optimal
The range of food items needed is not always commercially available, and those that are available are not always nutritional appropriate
Understand that many health conditions exhibited by captive amphibians are the result of suboptimal husbandry
Poor water quality, incorrect humidity levels
Describe a number of factors to take into consideration when handling reptiles and amphibians
Reduce stress with minimal handling
Using gloves for amphibians
Disinfection of equipment
Number of people handling
Identify the different methods of restraint for amphibians and reptiles
Supporting the body and tail
Using a tube or clear box
Hold away from your body to prevent bites
Training to enter a box
Describe the importance of UVB radiation for the physiology of captive reptiles and amphibians.
To maintain homeostasis by moving closer or further from the light (as they would with sunlight)
For vitamin D
Describe the potential impact of inappropriate UVB provision on the health of captive reptiles and amphibians.
MBD
Identify and use, with reference to the ecology of focal species, appropriate equipment for measuring and providing UVB radiation to captive reptiles and amphibians.
Solarmeter
What are the key characteristics of reptiles?
Vertebrates, scales, often cold-blooded, may produce eggs
Which environmental parameters should be considered when maintaining reptiles in captivity?
Temperatures/heat source and UV light and their placement with opportunity for them to move closer or further away, substrates, humidity, natural vs clean
What are the common health issues associated with reptiles in captivity?
MBD, hepatic disease, renal disease
Describe the specific threats to free-living populations of turtles in Asia
Illegal hunting and trade – food, medicine, religious, pet trade, items made from carapace
Understand how managing turtles in a rescue centre setting may differ to managing turtles in the zoo setting
Minimise stress, but long-term goals may be seen as more important (need an easily managed enclosure, potentially with nothing that could cause harm to a current injury)
Understand the key steps involved in the rehabilitation and management of turtles and tortoises seized from the illegal wildlife trade
Minimise stress, create ID sheets, first aid e.g. tube feeding and fluids, treatment of injury/ disease, health status needs to be sufficient and stable before release, possible PTS
Describe the risks associated with the conservation translocation of turtles released into free-living populations from rescue centres
Handling and moving causes stress, new area can cause stress and take time to adapt e.g. finding key places to eat, unable to learn behaviours such as hiding from/avoiding predators, disease transmission, risk of recapture
distinguish prosimian from simian primates, Old World from New World monkeys, and apes
Prosimian – primate but not monkey or ape (e.g. loris and lemur), more pointed faces, larger ears and nocturnal
Simian – money or ape
New World Monkey – nostrils apart and face laterally, can grasp with tail, non-opposable thumbs
Old World Monkey – nostrils close together and face forward, can’t grasp with tail, opposable thumbs
identify the environmental conditions needed for the satisfactory maintenance and breeding of diurnal versus nocturnal primates
Social structure (polygamy/monogamy)
assess the suitability of an enclosure’s design / behavioural enrichment practices / dietary regimes for a range of primates
Feeding twice a day with foraging
Social and physical enrichment
Platforms, shade and visual screening
advocate on the roles of a modern zoo in the 21st century
Conservation Education Research Advocacy Recreation
appreciate the working structure of European (EAZA) breeding programmes i.e. TAGs, ESBs and EEPs, with particular reference to the Gorilla EEP
Committees, advisors, working groups
Understand some of the reasons why the maintenance of the health of wild animals in captivity is difficult
Diversity – nutrition, food presentation, environmental, diagnostics, therapeutics
Understand some of the principal aetiological agents and underlying factors behind disease in captive wild animals
Toxic plants, inappropriate housing, inappropriate husbandry, genetics
Specific management techniques for captive carnivores, Husbandry requirements for captive carnivores.
Large areas with secure perimeters
Feeding pole to promote exercise and use of different muscles
Protected contact
Welfare of captive carnivores.
Enrichment, training, enclosure rotation for scents, natural group imitation to reduce fights
When handled incorrectly injuries to both raptor and handler can occur; students will be demonstrated then shown correct routine handling of raptors
feet facing outwards, face cover, towel wrapped
clinical examination of raptors should be structured, organised and performed with urgency to minimise handling time and potential stress to the bird
Provide an understanding of the aetiology, pathology, clinical aspects and control of avian tuberculosis.
Bacterial
Exposure/ingestion of contaminated feed, water, or faeces of infected birds
Weakness, lethargy, poor plumage, abdominal swelling and liver enlargement
Illustrate how to control and manage an infectious disease that affects conservation in a real world setting.
Biosecurity, enclosure design
avian tuberculosis production of granulomatous
the lesions are widely distributed through the carcass which are chronic (develop over weeks / months).
