Wild Life Welfare

Question 1

Modern Zoo Aims

Answer 1

Conservation, education, research and recreation.

Question 2

Effects of Captivity

Answer 2

Physiological effects include heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, adrenal hormones, enzymes and metabolic products, immune system function.

Health and production effects include weight, lifespan, mortality, reproductive success, incidence of internal and external pathogens.

Behavioural Effects include change in normal behaviour and appearance of abnormal behaviour.

Question 3

Environmental Enrichment

Answer 3

May be physical, social and behavioural conditioning/training.
Physical enrichment includes the use of structures, objects, senses and feeding. Often combined with feeding.
Social enrichment may include group structure, mixed species and breeding.
Behavioural conditioning is beneficial for husbandry, handling and ease of veterinary care, keeper talks, animal shows and interactive displays. May be with/without contact. Can perform procedures with less stress.

Question 4

Advantages and Disadvantages of Behavioural Conditioning

Answer 4

Advantages include stimulating, exercise, exhibit behaviours, reduced aggression and reduced abnormal behaviours. For staff, advantages include close bonds, greater control, better management and job satisfaction. Advantages for visitors include interesting, educational and popular.

Disadvantages for animals include abnormal social behaviour, perceptions and dangerous. Disadvantages of behavioural conditioning for staff include requiring training and dangerous and for visitors it is seen as cruelty, exploitation and unnatural.

Question 5

Methods of Wildlife Handling

Answer 5

Physical restraint which requires equipment, knowledge, experience and skills.

Mechanical restraint which requires knowledge, experience and trained animals.

Chemical restraint where equipment includes drug administration systems such as pole syringes, darting equipment and gas anaesthesia. Knowledge and experience also required. Trying to achieve immobilisation. May be used when it is the only safe option, for emergency restraint or prolonged and painful procedures following physical or mechanical restraint.

Question 6

Considerations of Wild Life Captive Behaviour

Answer 6

Physical environment-space and feeing, normal adaptive range to give them a sense of territory. Think about feeding forms, nutritional requirements.

Social Environment-Group size, sex ratio, age structure and dominance hierarchy.