Publications

Five-domain-based evaluation of environmental enrichment in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) to reduce aggressive behavior

Compared with wild troops, Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata), which are commonly housed in cage-like enclosures in zoos and laboratories, face limited feeding opportunities, leading to intense competition and frequent aggression. Such aggression often results in injuries, highlighting the need for...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Ogura, T., Kobayashi, M., Miura, A. et al. 2025. Five-domain-based evaluation of environmental enrichment in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) to reduce aggressive behavior. Primates 66(5), 465–473.

Enriching the environment with multiple rooting materials and bedded rest areas improves welfare of finishing pigs

Providing environmental enrichment, including rooting materials and bedding, is essential for improving pig welfare by reducing tail, ear, and body lesions. In this observational field study of Norwegian commercial farms, all farms applied some level of environmental enrichment. Thus, rather...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Ocepek, M., Newberry, R. C., Andersen, I. L. 2025. Enriching the environment with multiple rooting materials and bedded rest areas improves welfare of finishing pigs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 292, 106773.

Social dynamics and behavior of zoo-housed red-footed tortoises at different housing densities

Within zoos, it is common for animals that are considered solitary to be housed with conspecifics. This may be due to a variety of factors such as spatial constraints within zoos, difficulties associated with transferring animals, breeding goals, and/or other...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Reptile, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: O’Brien, S. L., Diaz, A., Cronin, K. A. 2025. Social dynamics and behavior of zoo-housed red-footed tortoises at different housing densities. Behavioural Processes 231, 105242.

Environmental enrichment in birds: Physical integrity, keel problems and locomotor responses

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of environmental enrichment on physical integrity, keel damage and locomotor problems in broiler chickens reared in a controlled environment at different ages. Ninety-six Cobb broiler chicks were used, reared in...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Nazareno, A. C., Silveira, R. M. F., Júnior, S. L. de C. et al. 2024. Environmental enrichment in birds: Physical integrity, keel problems and locomotor responses. Journal of Animal Behaviour and Biometeorology 12(2), 2024018.

Advancing canine welfare assessment in kennels: Evaluating the validity of Field Instantaneous Dog Observation (FIDO) scoring in commercial breeding kennels

Accurate assessment of social fear in dogs housed in commercial breeding kennels is necessary to inform their behavioral management, including interventions needed to support their welfare. The Field Instantaneous Dog Observation (FIDO) tool, which was developed to quickly identify areas...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Mugenda, L., Shreyer, T., Croney, C. 2025. Advancing canine welfare assessment in kennels: Evaluating the validity of Field Instantaneous Dog Observation (FIDO) scoring in commercial breeding kennels. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 292, 106770.

Recognition of domestic Felis Catus vocalisations using a computational associative model

The cat (Felis catus) lives around or with humans and is considered one of the most popular pets in the world. Domestic cats have an extensive and complex vocalisation repertoire, and little is known about the meaning of their vocalisations;...

Year Published: 2024Topics: VocalizationAnimal Type: Cat

Citation: Morales-Rodríguez, Ú. S., Carbajal-Hernández, J. J., Luna-Benoso, B. et al. 2024. Recognition of domestic Felis Catus vocalisations using a computational associative model. Journal of Animal Behaviour and Biometeorology 12(3), 2024020.

Methods of humane killing of laboratory fish: FELASA Working Group recommendations

As commissioned by the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations, these working group recommendations define the requirements to achieve the humane killing of fish, compare methods of killing, recommend methods of killing depending on context, and detail protocols leading...

Year Published: 2025Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Mocho, J.-P., Blasco, J. R., Lundegaard, P. R. et al. 2025. Methods of humane killing of laboratory fish: FELASA Working Group recommendations. Laboratory Animals 59(5), 599–613.

Enriched environment prevents hypernociception and depression-like behavior in a psychiatric disorder and neuropathic pain comorbidity experimental condition

Pain is a multifactorial debilitating condition associated with some psychiatric comorbidities such as generalized anxiety and depression. Concerning pharmacological treatment, which is often inefficient or associated with intense side effects, the physical and social context may be fundamental for patient’s...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Medeiros, P., Medeiros, A. C., de Freitas, R. L. et al. 2025. Enriched environment prevents hypernociception and depression-like behavior in a psychiatric disorder and neuropathic pain comorbidity experimental condition. Physiology & Behavior 291, 114795.

Positive reinforcement training improves behaviour and welfare of captive Indian leopards (Panthera pardus fusca)

Rescued animals, including leopards, often experience stress from routine husbandry practices such as feeding, movement, and regrouping. Positive Reinforcement Training (PRT) has emerged as a valuable tool for reducing stress and enhancing the welfare of captive animals. This study investigated...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Other Animal

Citation: Mane, A. M., Deshmukh, A., Gupta, B. K. 2025. Positive reinforcement training improves behaviour and welfare of captive Indian leopards (Panthera pardus fusca). Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 28(4), 715–729.

Do the ear and tail positions reflect the emotional state of calves?

This study aimed to determine the associations between ear and tail position and stroking or umbrella stimuli in dairy calves at different stimulus application times (before the test, pretest, test, and posttest). Thirty-two mixedbred Holstein calves of different ages were...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Machado, M., Silveira, R. M. F., Bittar, C. M. M. et al. 2024. Do the ear and tail positions reflect the emotional state of calves? Journal of Animal Behaviour and Biometeorology 12(2), e2024017.