Publications

Affective and behavioural interactions between human handlers and laboratory rats

In laboratory settings, human–rat interactions are necessary and frequent, yet the impact of different handlers on the behaviour of the animal is underexplored. This study examined how human behavioural responses - confidence, experience, and physiological arousal - relate to affective...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Feddo, C. C., Robinson, E. S. J., Hinchcliffe, J. K. 2026. Affective and behavioural interactions between human handlers and laboratory rats. Behavioural Brain Research 505, 116115.

Behavioral management as a coping strategy for managing stressors in primates: The influence of temperament and species

Primates involved in biomedical research experience stressors related to captivity, close contact with caregivers, and may be exposed to various medical procedures while modeling clinical disease or interventions under study. Behavioral management is used to promote behavioral flexibility in less...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Animal Training, PersonalityAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Palmer, S., Oppler, S. H., Graham, M. L. 2022. Behavioral management as a coping strategy for managing stressors in primates: The influence of temperament and species. Biology 11(3), 423.

Opportunities for refinement of non-human primate vaccine studies

Non-human primates (NHPs) are used extensively in the development of vaccines and therapeutics for human disease. High standards in the design, conduct, and reporting of NHP vaccine studies are crucial for maximizing their scientific value and translation, and for making...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Disease/Experimental Model, Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Humane Endpoint, Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Prescott, M. J., Clark, C., Dowling, W. E. et al. 2021. Opportunities for refinement of non-human primate vaccine studies. Vaccines 9(3), 284.

Environmental enrichment increases aquatic animal welfare: A systematic review and meta-analysis

With the rapid development of aquaculture and the gradual decrease in fishery resources, aquatic animal welfare (AAW) has received increasing attention from animal protection organisations, government departments, biologists, fish culturists and consumers. Although environmental enrichment (EE) can potentially benefit AAW,...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish, Salmon, Tilapia, Trout, Zebrafish

Citation: Zhang, Z., Gao, L., Zhang, X. 2022. Environmental enrichment increases aquatic animal welfare: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Reviews in Aquaculture 14(3), 1120–1135.

Effects of different feed types on intestinal microbial community diversity and intestinal development of newborn Siamese crocodiles

Conventional alligator farming, characterized by reliance on chilled fish meat, faces significant challenges, including risks of bacterial contamination and nutritional imbalances. These issues heighten increasing disease susceptibility and threaten industry sustainability, underscoring the critical need for developing nutrient-dense, low-pathogenicity compound...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Husbandry & Management, Rearing & WeaningAnimal Type: Crocodile & Alligator, Reptile

Citation: Zhang, X., Wu, J., Wang, C. et al. 2025. Effects of different feed types on intestinal microbial community diversity and intestinal development of newborn Siamese crocodiles. Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens 7(1).

Effects of pen partition design and hiding facilities on elimination and lying behavior of finishing pigs

In intensive commercial pig production systems, the spatial distribution of elimination and lying behaviors plays a crucial role in pen hygiene, management efficiency, and animal welfare. Pen partition design and the provision of hiding facilities are key structural factors that...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Yu, Z., Wang, H., He, Z. et al. 2026. Effects of pen partition design and hiding facilities on elimination and lying behavior of finishing pigs. Animals 16(5).

Laying the groundwork for reptile welfare assessment in zoos and private keeping: A literature-based proposal

With the increasing number and diversity of reptile species kept in zoological facilities and households, their welfare in captivity warrants structured and consistent evaluation. However, focused research on reptile welfare remains limited within the broader field of animal welfare science....

Year Published: 2025Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Crocodile & Alligator, Lizard, Reptile, Snake, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Yeh, H.-M., Huang, C.-C., Chiang, Y.-W. 2025. Laying the groundwork for reptile welfare assessment in zoos and private keeping: A literature-based proposal. Animal Welfare 34, e70.

Pardon my finch … have you seen my juicy garland?

We have a responsibility to promote a Culture of Care to ensure that all species have an appropriate positive environment. Enrichment provides holistic welfare opportunities for captive animals enabling them to demonstrate their natural behaviour. Commercially available enrichment is usually...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Bird, Finch

Citation: Wightman, J., Fordyce, L. 2025. Pardon my finch … have you seen my juicy garland? Animal Technology and Welfare 24(3), 259–263.

Dimensions of corvid consciousness

Corvids have long been a target of public fascination and of scientific attention, particularly in the study of animal minds. Using Birch et al.’s (2020) 5-dimensional framework for animal consciousness we ask what it is like to be a corvid...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Emotion, Pain, & SentienceAnimal Type: Bird, Other Bird

Citation: Veit, W., Browning, H., Garcia-Pelegrin, E. et al. 2025. Dimensions of corvid consciousness. Animal Cognition 28(1), 35.

Exploring dietary practices and faecal consistency in zoo-housed cotton-top tamarins Oedipomidas oedipus

The cotton-top tamarin Oedipomidas oedipus is currently classified as critically endangered by the IUCN, prompting intensive conservation efforts, including the maintenance of healthy populations under human care. However, ensuring optimal welfare and health remains challenging, particularly in terms of nutritional...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Husbandry & Management, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Urrego, A. C. B., Mendoza, J. C., Vieira, M. F. et al. 2026. Exploring dietary practices and faecal consistency in zoo-housed cotton-top tamarins Oedipomidas oedipus. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 14(1), 38–45.