Health and welfare

Question 1

Explain the basics of the following ethical theories: Utilitarianism; Virtue ethics; Principlism; Rights theory; Respect for nature

Answer 1

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

Question 2

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

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Discuss the ethics of cloning of endangered species as an example of animal ethics in action

Answer 3

Foetal abnormalities, dystocia, systemic illness, premature ageing, resources diverted from habitats, doesn’t address causes of extinction

Question 4

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

Answer 4

Pollinators, detritivores, part of food chain, pest control of plants, live feeding, research models, to make drugs

Question 5

an awareness of how to observe, handle and examine invertebrates and how to assess their health and welfare

Answer 5

Masses, ectoparasites, wounds, fungal infections, dehydration, damaged/missing limbs/antenna, abnormal colouration

Question 6

Gain an understanding of the observation, handling and clinical examination of invertebrates through demonstration of real cases.

Answer 6

Gentle handling with care to how they like to stand/hold onto branches

Question 7

inverts - An awareness of why their effective captive management is dependent on a robust understanding of the life cycle and ecology of each species.

Answer 7

Different requirements will be needed

Question 8

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.

Answer 8

Food items that would provide best nutrition aren’t always commercially available
Natural enclosures are difficult to maintain cleanliness and biosecurity

Question 9

Define animal welfare and the difference between welfare, rights and ethics

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Describe the regulatory and moral obligations that a zoological collection has towards its animals’ welfare

Answer 10

5 needs; diet, expression of natural behaviours, with/without companionship, protection from unnecessary pain/suffering, suitable environment
A ‘duty of care’

Question 11

Have an understanding of measures of assessment of animal welfare that a zoo can employ

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Understand the problems associated with the assessment of welfare of zoo animals

Answer 12

It depends on welfare definitions used

Question 13

Understand the differences between horns, tusks and antlers

Answer 13

Horns – aren’t shed, tusks – made from tooth enamel, antlers – are shed

Question 14

Have a working knowledge of the major differences between the digestive systems of artiodactyls and perissodactyls, and resulting implications for management

Answer 14

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)

Question 15

Understand practical methods for influencing hoof health

Answer 15

Flooring (soft/hard), hoof trimming

Question 16

Formulate the basis of a balanced diet for captive hoofed mammals

Answer 16

Browsing – leaves, grazing – grass, supplementary feed

Question 17

Understand the main methods of breeding management

Answer 17

Social groups, managing males, obesity, nutrition requirements changing though and post-pregnancy

Question 18

All major disease causes in raptors

Answer 18

food contamination and infection, respiratory, aspergillosis, trauma, parasitic

Question 19

consider key factors in design and creation of a raptor collection

Answer 19

Floors, perches, nets rather than mesh, material that doesn’t hold heat

Question 20

Consider all causes of impaired locomotion in its widest sense, considering the aetiology, prevention, diagnosis, control and treatment of all causes.

Answer 20

Bumblefoot, MBD

Question 21

State two methods for assessing a bird’s condition, beyond a physical examination

Answer 21

Faecal analysis and blood analysis

Question 22

Define the A, B, C’s of operant behaviour, in relation to applied behavioural analysis

Answer 22

antecedent (A) is a stimulus, behaviour (B) is the actions an individual performs, and consequence (C) is the outcome of the behaviour

Question 23

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

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

Why are amphibians threatened with extinction?

Answer 24

Climate change, habitat loss, emerging infectious disease, invasive species, overexploitation

Question 25

Why are amphibians thought to be suitable candidates for conservation breeding initiatives?

Answer 25

Small size, high fecundity, relatively inexpensive

Question 26

What are the risks in embarking on conservation breeding programmes in a zoo setting?

Answer 26

Attractive to small institutions with limited budgets, long term commitment, often poorly executed and thought out, often lacking knowledge of species biology

Question 27

Describe the key characteristics of amphibians

Answer 27

Permeable skin, no scales, dependant on water for breeding

Question 28

Understand semi closed systems in the management of water quality

Answer 28

Regular, partial water change

Question 29

Describe why the captive diets of many amphibians may be sub-optimal

Answer 29

The range of food items needed is not always commercially available, and those that are available are not always nutritional appropriate

Question 30

Understand that many health conditions exhibited by captive amphibians are the result of suboptimal husbandry

Answer 30

Poor water quality, incorrect humidity levels

Question 31

Describe a number of factors to take into consideration when handling reptiles and amphibians

Answer 31

Reduce stress with minimal handling
Using gloves for amphibians
Disinfection of equipment
Number of people handling

Question 32

Identify the different methods of restraint for amphibians and reptiles

Answer 32

Supporting the body and tail
Using a tube or clear box
Hold away from your body to prevent bites
Training to enter a box

Question 33

Describe the importance of UVB radiation for the physiology of captive reptiles and amphibians.

Answer 33

To maintain homeostasis by moving closer or further from the light (as they would with sunlight)
For vitamin D

Question 34

Describe the potential impact of inappropriate UVB provision on the health of captive reptiles and amphibians.

Answer 34

MBD

Question 35

Identify and use, with reference to the ecology of focal species, appropriate equipment for measuring and providing UVB radiation to captive reptiles and amphibians.

Answer 35

Solarmeter

Question 36

What are the key characteristics of reptiles?

Answer 36

Vertebrates, scales, often cold-blooded, may produce eggs

Question 37

Which environmental parameters should be considered when maintaining reptiles in captivity?

Answer 37

Temperatures/heat source and UV light and their placement with opportunity for them to move closer or further away, substrates, humidity, natural vs clean

Question 38

What are the common health issues associated with reptiles in captivity?

Answer 38

MBD, hepatic disease, renal disease

Question 39

Describe the specific threats to free-living populations of turtles in Asia

Answer 39

Illegal hunting and trade – food, medicine, religious, pet trade, items made from carapace

Question 40

Understand how managing turtles in a rescue centre setting may differ to managing turtles in the zoo setting

Answer 40

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)

Question 41

Understand the key steps involved in the rehabilitation and management of turtles and tortoises seized from the illegal wildlife trade

Answer 41

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

Question 42

Describe the risks associated with the conservation translocation of turtles released into free-living populations from rescue centres

Answer 42

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

Question 43

distinguish prosimian from simian primates, Old World from New World monkeys, and apes

Answer 43

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

Question 44

identify the environmental conditions needed for the satisfactory maintenance and breeding of diurnal versus nocturnal primates

Answer 44

Social structure (polygamy/monogamy)

Question 45

assess the suitability of an enclosure’s design / behavioural enrichment practices / dietary regimes for a range of primates

Answer 45

Feeding twice a day with foraging
Social and physical enrichment
Platforms, shade and visual screening

Question 46

advocate on the roles of a modern zoo in the 21st century

Answer 46

Conservation
Education
Research
Advocacy
Recreation

Question 47

appreciate the working structure of European (EAZA) breeding programmes i.e. TAGs, ESBs and EEPs, with particular reference to the Gorilla EEP

Answer 47

Committees, advisors, working groups

Question 48

Understand some of the reasons why the maintenance of the health of wild animals in captivity is difficult

Answer 48

Diversity – nutrition, food presentation, environmental, diagnostics, therapeutics

Question 49

Understand some of the principal aetiological agents and underlying factors behind disease in captive wild animals

Answer 49

Toxic plants, inappropriate housing, inappropriate husbandry, genetics

Question 50

Specific management techniques for captive carnivores, Husbandry requirements for captive carnivores.

Answer 50

Large areas with secure perimeters
Feeding pole to promote exercise and use of different muscles
Protected contact

Question 51

Welfare of captive carnivores.

Answer 51

Enrichment, training, enclosure rotation for scents, natural group imitation to reduce fights

Question 52

When handled incorrectly injuries to both raptor and handler can occur; students will be demonstrated then shown correct routine handling of raptors

Answer 52

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

Question 53

Provide an understanding of the aetiology, pathology, clinical aspects and control of avian tuberculosis.

Answer 53

Bacterial
Exposure/ingestion of contaminated feed, water, or faeces of infected birds
Weakness, lethargy, poor plumage, abdominal swelling and liver enlargement

Question 54

Illustrate how to control and manage an infectious disease that affects conservation in a real world setting.

Answer 54

Biosecurity, enclosure design

Question 55

avian tuberculosis production of granulomatous

Answer 55

the lesions are widely distributed through the carcass which are chronic (develop over weeks / months).