Publications

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.

Early-life enrichment in American mink (Neogale vison): Enrichment of the perinatal environment improves maternal nest building and reduces stereotypic behaviour

Pens for farmed mink (Neogale vison) commonly include separate nesting areas to provide privacy and warmth in the perinatal period. However, standard bedding materials may not be sufficient to allow intrinsically motivated nest-building behaviours in dams. Further, these materials may...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mink

Citation: Clark, G. B., Díez-León, M., Meagher, R. K. 2025. Early-life enrichment in American mink (Neogale vison): Enrichment of the perinatal environment improves maternal nest building and reduces stereotypic behaviour. Animal Welfare 34, e5.

Structural enrichment promotes natural behaviour and welfare of captive gilthead seabream broodstock

The intensification of aquaculture practices in the last decade can compromise the welfare of farmed fish. However, one strategy to be considered to improve the welfare of captive fish is the implementation of structural enrichment in the rearing environment. The...

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

Citation: Oliveira, A. R., Cabrera-Álvarez, M. J., Soares, F. et al. 2024. Structural enrichment promotes natural behaviour and welfare of captive gilthead seabream broodstock. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 275, 106289.

Evaluating indicators of wellbeing in captive grey mouse lemurs, Microcebus murinus, in the context of enrichment

Developing and implementing effective approaches to improve the welfare of animals participating in research requires reliable monitoring of their wellbeing. Since wellbeing is a multidimensional state that relates to an individual's physiological, behavioural and psychological/mental health, assessing it requires the...

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

Citation: Perea-Rodriguez, J. P., Ferreira, J., Anzeraey, A. et al. 2024. Evaluating indicators of wellbeing in captive grey mouse lemurs, Microcebus murinus, in the context of enrichment. Animal Behaviour 218, 121–134.

Effects of housing density on anxiety-like behavior of zebrafish in the plus maze with ramp

Population density in experimental animals is a crucial factor in maintaining the wellbeing of the organisms. Inadequate housing conditions can compromise the validity and reliability of research results, making comparisons between studies difficult. In sociable species such as zebrafish (Danio...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Pessoa, R., Motta, C., Araujo-Pessoa, E. et al. 2024. Effects of housing density on anxiety-like behavior of zebrafish in the plus maze with ramp. Behavioural Processes 222, 105114.

Comparison of two bedding types on the breeding fecundity of C57BL/6J mice

One of the favored options for generating complex transgenic laboratory mice is through in-house breeding and management strategies. One consideration in the management of these colonies is how the animals' environment may affect reproductive success. Several aspects of the microenvironment...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Pinckard, J. L., Gibson, L. A., Williams, W. R. 2024. Comparison of two bedding types on the breeding fecundity of C57BL/6J mice. Laboratory Animals 58(6), 545–551.

A consensus on the definition of positive animal welfare

The concept of animal welfare is evolving due to progress in our scientific understanding of animal biology and changing societal expectations. Animal welfare science has been primarily concerned with minimizing suffering, but there is growing interest in also promoting positive...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Emotion, Pain, & SentienceAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Rault, J.-L., Bateson, M., Boissy, A. et al. 2025. A consensus on the definition of positive animal welfare. Biology Letters 21(1), 20240382.