Publications

Thoughtful or distant farmer: Exploring the influence of human-animal relationships on rabbit stress, behaviour, and emotional responses in two distinct living environments

Both the nature of the human-animal relationship (HAR) and housing conditions significantly impact the welfare of farmed animals. To evaluate the influence of HAR on the behaviour, emotions and stress of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in two distinct outdoor living environments,...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Fetiveau, M., Savietto, D., Janczak, A. M. et al. 2024. Thoughtful or distant farmer: Exploring the influence of human-animal relationships on rabbit stress, behaviour, and emotional responses in two distinct living environments. Animal Welfare 33, e47.

Specifically unspecific – Simple devices as feasible and effective enrichment for small mammals

Although enrichment is an essential part of modern zoo animal husbandry, research on effective enrichment for small mammals is scarce, albeit they are regularly kept in zoos. To develop solutions that are inexpensive, readily applicable, and adaptable for a variety...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate, Other Animal, Other Nonhuman Primate, Other Rodent, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Göbel, M., Kaiser, S., Richter, H. et al. 2024. Specifically unspecific – Simple devices as feasible and effective enrichment for small mammals. Animal Behavior and Cognition 11(3), 305–329.

Refined method of Tropicamide application in minipigs

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the efficacy of Tropicamide when administered using a new spray method (compared to eye drop method).

Year Published: 2024Topics: Drug/Substance AdministrationAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Gracey, K. 2024. Refined method of Tropicamide application in minipigs. Animal Technology and Welfare 23(2), 145–147.

Enriched social environment affects the utterance of acoustic signals of captive François’ langurs

Vocal communication serves as an important mode of interaction among animals. The quantitative analysis of acoustic signals holds scientific value in highlighting the importance of understanding the social-ecological contexts and their effects on acoustic communication. The results can provide a...

Year Published: 2024Topics: VocalizationAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Xie, Y., Liu, Y., Li, Y. et al. 2024. Enriched social environment affects the utterance of acoustic signals of captive François' langurs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 277, 106351.

Zebrafish maintenance conditions affect behavioral and biochemical biomarkers: A possible interfering factor on the research results

Over the years, scientific research with fish models has grown at a rapid pace, and issues such as animal welfare are becoming increasingly important in various areas of animal husbandry and experimentation. Here, we evaluated whether Danio rerio behavior is...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Amaral, F. U. I., Pompermaier, A., Almeida, P. A. de et al. 2024. Zebrafish maintenance conditions affect behavioral and biochemical biomarkers: A possible interfering factor on the research results. Zebrafish.

A bespoke water T–maze apparatus and protocol: An optimized, reliable, and repeatable method for screening learning, memory, and executive functioning in laboratory mice

The Morris Water Maze (MWM) is the most commonly used assay for evaluating learning and memory in laboratory mice. Despite its widespread use, contemporary reviews have highlighted substantial methodological variation in experimental protocols and that the associated testing procedures are...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Behavioral & Cognitive TestingAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Bailoo, J. D., Bergeson, S. E., Ponomarev, I. et al. 2024. A bespoke water T–maze apparatus and protocol: An optimized, reliable, and repeatable method for screening learning, memory, and executive functioning in laboratory mice. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience 18.

The effect of preference assessment-informed enrichment device colour on biting and foraging behaviour in loggerhead sea turtles

Although environmental enrichment procedures have demonstrated their benefit to non-human animals in zoos and aquariums, the field has given little attention to phylogenetic variables that might affect their efficacy. Recently, research with loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta has demonstrated that...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Reptile, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Bulla, A., Mahoney, A., Lee, V. M. et al. 2024. The effect of preference assessment-informed enrichment device colour on biting and foraging behaviour in loggerhead sea turtles. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 12(4), 232–242.

What are the priority welfare issues facing parrots in captivity? A modified Delphi approach to establish expert consensus

Parrots (Psittaciformes) are widely kept in captivity, yet their welfare is under-researched in comparison to other captive species. This study aimed to determine key welfare issues affecting parrots through a modified Delphi approach. Twenty-eight welfare issues were first compiled via...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Bird, Parrot

Citation: Chalmers, R., Cooper, J., Ventura, B. 2024. What are the priority welfare issues facing parrots in captivity? A modified Delphi approach to establish expert consensus. Animal Welfare 33, e54.

Evaluating enrichment use in group-housed rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta): A machine learning approach

Environmental enrichment programmes are widely used to improve welfare of captive and laboratory animals, especially non-human primates. Monitoring enrichment use over time is crucial, as animals may habituate and reduce their interaction with it. In this study we aimed to...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Ciminelli, G., Witham, C., Bateson, M. 2024. Evaluating enrichment use in group-housed rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta): A machine learning approach. Animal Welfare 33, e59.

Early-life enrichment in American mink (Neogale vison): Effects of juvenile physical enrichment on behaviour, temperament, and long-term stereotypic behaviour

A single manipulable enrichment is often introduced to the pens of farmed American mink (Neogale vison) to combat stereotypic behaviour and behaviours or temperaments associated with poor welfare (e.g. inactivity, fear, and aggression). This enrichment is provided early in life,...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Rearing & WeaningAnimal Type: Mink

Citation: Clark, G. B., Díez-León, M., Meagher, R. K. 2025. Early-life enrichment in American mink (Neogale vison): Effects of juvenile physical enrichment on behaviour, temperament, and long-term stereotypic behaviour. Animal Welfare 34, e4.