There is a growing interest and need for zoos to develop implement welfare assessment tools that are practical use provide meaningful results can inform management decisions. This paper presents process was developed support this type of evidence-based in zoo animal welfare. The configured facilitate institutional risk assessment, using an adapted version the Five Domains Model assessment. It designed systematically analyse information gathered from personnel order highlight areas risk, as...

Animal conservation organisations occasionally harness depictions of animals using digital technology to inspire interest in, and concern for animals. To better understand the forms empathy experienced by people observing animal-computer interaction, we designed studied an interactive installation orangutans at a zoo. Through collaborative design established understanding zoos' objectives strategies related in zoo context. We deployed prototype installation, observed interviewed visitors who...

Nonhuman animal welfare science is the scientific study of state animals that attempts to make inferences about how feel from their behavior, endocrine function, and/or signs physical health. These measurements are applicable within zoos yet inherently more complex than in farms and laboratories. This complexity due vast number species housed, lack fundamental biological information, relatively lower sample sizes levels experimental control. article summarizes invited presentations on topic...

We examined the effects of regulating viewing proximity visitors and intensity visitor behaviour on behaviours indicative fear stress physiology 15 zoo-housed little penguins (Eudyptula minor). A 2 × factorial fully randomised design was used to examine regulating: (1) enclosure, ‘normal distance’ ’increased (using a physical barrier set up m away from enclosure), (2) behaviour, ‘unregulated behaviour’ ‘regulated signage uniformed personnel). In addition, treatment consisting closing...

Free range exhibits are becoming increasingly popular in zoos as a means to enhance interaction between visitors and animals. However very little research exists on the impacts of animal behaviour stress free exhibits. We investigated effects visitor number physiology Kangaroo Island (KI) Kangaroos, Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus, Red rufus, housed two Australian zoos. Behavioural observations were conducted individual kangaroos at each site using instantaneous scan sampling record...

There is an increasing focus on evidence-based welfare assessment by animal care staff in zoos, along with a strong interest the zoo-visiting public, to extent that this can influence their choice of institutions visit. Regulatory oversight standards continues strengthen across many jurisdictions. Zoos are increasingly formalizing practices development and refinement tools. has been drive for tools comprise both resource-based animal-based measures. However, indicators not always well...

Modern zoos are increasingly taking a leading role in emergency management and wildlife recovery. In the face of climate change predicted increase frequency magnitude catastrophic events, provide specialised expertise to assist welfare endangered species 2019–2020 Australian bushfire season, now called Australia’s Black Summer, state government-directed response was developed, assembling individuals organisations from government, non-government organisations, research institutions, others....

Zoos are increasingly introducing digital technologies to enhance visitors' experience of viewing animals, and promote the welfare wellbeing captive animals. Consequently, zoos an immediate important context for work in discipline animal-computer interaction (ACI). However, zoo enclosure design has a long history transformation line with existing theories, influenced by notions naturalism visitor immersion. In this paper, we discuss literature growing field ACI, further drawing on interviews...

Abstract Digital technologies are increasingly being incorporated into the provision of enrichment for captive primates, ranging from ad‐hoc use iPads to specifically designed hardware installed in design new exhibits. In this article, we present a digital system that utilizes novel approach with interactive projections, orangutan exhibit at Melbourne Zoo. While previous research has involved reinforcement using food rewards, study is first investigation orangutans does not involve rewards....

Studies on the effects of visitors zoo animals have shown mixed findings and as a result, manner in which affect remains unclear for many species, including rarely studied taxa such penguins. Penguins are common zoo-housed species been to display huddling, vigilance avoidance towards can be indicative fear. Here, we examined covering one visitor viewing area window, out four, little penguin (Eudyptula minor) behaviours that may Two treatments were randomly imposed different days: (1) The...

This study investigated the behaviour of two Elasmobranch species; Southern fiddler ray (Trygonorrhina dumerilii, n = 1) and Port Jackson shark (Heterodontus portusjacksoni, 4) teleost moonlighter (Tilodon sexfasciatus, banded morwong (Cheilodactylus spectabilis, living within a single enclosure. For this study, treatments were compared, original enclosure design, then after had been renovated to more closely represent species natural habitats, with raised front viewing glass prevent visitor...

Abstract Recent research has uncovered many complex cognitive traits and affective processes in reptile species, such as the ability to make choices that are rewarding or pleasurable. The investigation herein was initiated after years of anecdotal reports, preliminary observations, two male Aldabran giant tortoises ( Aldabrachelys gigantea ), Wilbur Little John, at Melbourne Zoo (Melbourne, Australia) would approach fence‐line their enclosure, sometimes multiple times daily, “solicit”...

This study identified and compared the attitudes of visitors toward zoo-housed little penguins, their enclosure visitor experience that may influence way behave penguins at two Australian zoos. Visitor were assessed using an anonymous questionnaire, targeting beliefs, experiences, where randomly approached penguin exhibit after they had finished viewing penguins. Visitors given options to complete on iPad during zoo visit or online (URL sent via email) visit. A total 638 participants (495...

Abstract Gillnets are used widely in fisheries throughout the world and known to cause death of thousands seabirds each year. Currently few practical or technical options available fishers for preventing seabird mortalities. The ability little penguins ( Eudyptula minor ) differentiate between different coloured netting materials was tested under controlled conditions ascertain if changes gillnet colour could facilitate a potential mitigation measure by improving visibility nets. study...

The behavior of zoo animals may be influenced by visitors, with possible implications on animal welfare. We examined the effects presence visitors and visibility free‐ranging quokkas ( Setonix brachyurus ) in preferred areas a walk‐through enclosure at Melbourne Zoo, Australia. In controlled experiment, two visitor treatments were randomly imposed: (1) open to as normal (“Open”) (2) closed (“Closed”). Treatments imposed for 2‐day periods, five replicates each treatment (10 periods total)....

Understanding visitor attitudes toward zoo animals can inform the way zoos manage visitor-animal interactions by identifying factors that may influence visitors and interact with animals. Consequently, we investigated relationship between penguin behavior effects of regulating visitor-penguin on experience. Visitor little penguins (Eudyptula minor), their welfare, enclosure, effects, enclosure manipulations experience at an Australian were assessed. A 2 × fully randomized factorial design...