Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science最新文献

{"title":"Evaluating Qualitative Behavioral Assessment and Ethogram Techniques for Captive Black Rhinoceros (<i>Diceros bicornis</i>).","authors":"Emily J Hughes, Tony King, Todd R Lewis","doi":"10.1080/10888705.2025.2481883","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10888705.2025.2481883","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Maintaining high animal welfare in zoos is a persistent concern for practitioners and regulators, yet assessing welfare remains challenging. Welfare assessment techniques should be rapid and noninvasive, as traditional methods are often invasive, time-consuming, or costly. Qualitative Behavioral Assessment (QBA) is a promising alternative to ethograms. This study evaluated QBA's usefulness in assessing behavior in ten captive black rhinos in a UK zoo by comparing it with ethogram data. QBA descriptors meaningfully overlapped with ethogram behaviors, for example, agonistic behaviors like horn clash aligned with Angry, Startled, and Nervous, while playful behaviors like head fling matched Lively and Excited. Correlations emerged between techniques; for instance, naso-nasal greeting and environmental investigation correlated with Active and Interested, while tactile contact negatively correlated with Angry and Nervous. Individual rhinos accounted for ~35% of (co)variation, with coefficient plots identifying significant key ethogram behaviors/QBA descriptors. The strong overlap within a joint model suggests QBA is a valuable welfare assessment tool that complements ethogram data collection for this species.</p>","PeriodicalId":56277,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science","volume":" ","pages":"673-688"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143694155","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The good, the bad, the comfortable: a review of welfare practices and indicators based on the five domains model in farmed deer.","authors":"Bruno Esattore, Hana Bartošová, Jitka Bartošová","doi":"10.1080/10888705.2024.2381461","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10888705.2024.2381461","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Increasing consumer interest in game meat has globally expanded wild animal farming, with deer being a prominent non-traditional species farmed in numerous countries. Consequently, methods for assessing the welfare of captive animals have been developed over the last few decades, and despite its limitations, the Five Domains Model has become one of the most popular practical tools for welfare assessment. Our review focuses on welfare indicators in farmed red and fallow deer, the primary deer species in European farms. Among 57 studies, the majority emphasized deer health and nutrition, neglecting aspects like behavior and mental state. Notably, a significant portion explored human-animal interactions, especially in deer transportation. Summarizing literature for each domain, we propose reliable physical, behavioral, and physiological welfare indicators for farmed red and fallow deer. This comprehensive approach addresses current research gaps and contributes to enhancing the overall well-being of farmed deer.</p>","PeriodicalId":56277,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science","volume":" ","pages":"618-632"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141735791","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Animal Welfare Investigation of Akkaraman Sheep Farms in Different Provinces of Türkiye.","authors":"Çağrı Melikşah Sakar, Seyrani Koncagül, Burak Artut, Adil Akın Aydın, İlker Ünal, Arzu Özdemir, Engin Ünay","doi":"10.1080/10888705.2024.2381472","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10888705.2024.2381472","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In this study, it was aimed to reveal the animal welfare levels in Akkaraman sheep breed in Türkiye. In this direction, welfare assessment was carried out at the farm level with the Animal Needs Index (ANI 35L/2000) method in a total of 71 Akkaraman sheep flock applications on animals were carried out on a total of 1525 sheep. According to the ANI score scale, the average score of all farms was determined as 39.52. In the study, welfare scores were found as 38.32, 41.47, and 38.78 in Çankırı, Çorum and Kırşehir provinces, respectively (<i>p</i> = 0.034); it was found as 39.70, 40.14, and 38.69 in small (≤100), medium (100-200) and large (>200) farms (<i>p</i> = 0.535), respectively. While the Famacha and Fecal scores of sheep were found to be low score in sheep raised in Çankırı than in sheep raised in other two cities, the differences were found to be statistically significant in both parameters (<i>p</i> = 0.007 and 0.021). As a result, it has been observed that having opportunity for animals to go out to yard and pasture has a positive effect on animal welfare.</p>","PeriodicalId":56277,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science","volume":" ","pages":"633-644"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141749836","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Environmental Enrichment with Aquatic Plants: Impact of the Environment of Choice on Performance of Bettas.","authors":"Mariana Bender, Nataly Oliveira Dos Santos Neves, Fernanda Regina Delziovo, Larissa Stockhausen, Letícia Serzedello, Matheus de Souza Gasparotto, Luiz Augusto Cipriani, Natalia Ha, Jhonata Pereira Bicalho, Thiago El Hadi Perez Fabregat","doi":"10.1080/10888705.2025.2529457","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10888705.2025.2529457","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>  This study aimed to evaluate the choice between environments with aquatic plants and the impact of the environment of choice on the performance of bettas (Betta splendens). First, the choice between environments with natural and artificial plants was evaluated. Adult betta fish were evaluated in circular tanks subdivided into a central compartment (neutral) and four side compartments: white, green, natural Elodea (Egeria dense) and artificial Elodea. Ten fish of each sex individually tested for five days. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial scheme (time, sex, and compartment). In the second experiment, the effect of the compartments of the first study on fish performance was evaluated. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with four treatments and five replications. Female bettas were divided into 20 tanks at a density of four fish per tank. In the first experiment, there was a gradation in the choice between different enrichments and both sexes demonstrated a preference for environments with natural plants. In the second experiment, the environmental enrichments with aquatic plants did not affect the performance of female bettas.</p>","PeriodicalId":56277,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science","volume":" ","pages":"740-749"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144585739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Adverse Life History on Oxidative Stress and Cytokine Concentration in Domestic Dogs.","authors":"Ana Gabriela Jiménez, Rosemary Strasser","doi":"10.1080/10888705.2024.2405168","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10888705.2024.2405168","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Early-life stress has been well studied in humans and laboratory animals; however, the impacts of similar adversity on the welfare of domestic dogs has recently begun to be addressed. For example, associations between processes linked to mitochondrial function, such as oxidative stress (OS) and proinflammatory immune systems, have been under-researched. Yet, mitochondria are targets and mediators of stress pathologies. This study investigates the impact of early-life stress on OS and proinflammatory immune responses in shelter dogs compared to client-owned dogs. We measured OS markers, including total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipid oxidative damage, catalase (CAT) activity, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentration, as well as inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Shelter dogs exhibited significantly higher lipid oxidative damage (<i>p</i> = 0.0265), lower CAT activity (<i>p</i> = 0.002), higher SOD concentration (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and increased IL-1β levels (<i>p</i> = 0.027) compared to client-owned dogs. Compared to client-owned dogs, shelter dogs showed increased OS and inflammation, suggesting higher susceptibility to zoonotic and chronic diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":56277,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science","volume":" ","pages":"578-590"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142333379","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Positive Reinforcement Training Improves Behaviour and Welfare of Captive Indian Leopards (<i>Panthera pardus fusca</i>).","authors":"Akshaya Mohan Mane, Ajay Deshmukh, Brij Kishor Gupta","doi":"10.1080/10888705.2025.2521500","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10888705.2025.2521500","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>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 behavioral changes in rescued leopards during structured PRT. Using continuous focal animal sampling, data on individual and social behaviors were collected during five-minute sessions conducted three times weekly over a period of 12-16 weeks. Twelve leopards were observed across five phases: Baseline, Pre-Training, During Training, Post-Training, and Trained. Statistical analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis test revealed significant behavioral changes across phases. Leopards required an average of 2.1 sessions (SD ± 4.43 days, N = 29 observations) to retrieve rewards consistently. Structured training led to significant reductions in undesirable behaviors, including aggression (H(2) = 27.32, p < 0.0001) and stereotypical pacing (H(2) = 88.32, p < 0.0001), while engagement behaviors such as locomotion and exploration increased. Affiliative interactions with caregivers also rose, indicating stronger bonds. A decline in out-of-sight behavior showed improved focus, while increased alertness and maintenance behaviors suggested enhanced cognitive flexibility. Overall, PRT fosters positive behavioral changes, improves emotional well-being, and strengthens human-animal bonds.</p>","PeriodicalId":56277,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science","volume":" ","pages":"715-729"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144327889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Both Ends of the Leash: Animals in Australian Residential Aged Care Facilities, Views of Experienced Animal Trainers/handlers Working in Residential Aged Care Facilities.","authors":"Wendy Newton, Tania Signal, Jenni Judd","doi":"10.1080/10888705.2024.2411551","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10888705.2024.2411551","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Research on animals in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) mainly focuses on the residents with little apparent concern for animal welfare. In the context of documented human welfare breaches in the sector the question arises - how do Australian RACF approach animal welfare. To understand animals' lived experiences in this context experienced dog-trainers with RACF employment history were interviewed. These experts were recruited using snowball sampling, with nine participating in semi-structured interviews about their experience of visiting and live-in animals in Australian RACFs. While initial inductive coding produced six themes (residents, animals, handlers, staff, facility and policy) pervasive animal welfare issues were noted. The outcomes of a subsequent, deductive, recoding using a welfare framework are reported here. Overall, with a focus on residents, and in a context of inadequate staffing, training and oversight, the interviews demonstrate systemic potential for compromised animal welfare with examples of dogs being frightened and one accidentally poisoned. These examples and the need to develop legislation and guidelines to guide safe, ethical, animal contact in RACFs are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":56277,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science","volume":" ","pages":"591-604"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142395590","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Preferential Space Use Exhibited by Individual Orangutans in an Innovative Enclosure at Auckland Zoo.","authors":"Holly Steiner, Nicholas Malone, Heather T Battles","doi":"10.1080/10888705.2025.2491535","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10888705.2025.2491535","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To meet the needs of socially complex primates, modern zoo enclosures are designed to include structural, sensory, food-based, and tactile enrichment, as well as opportunities to express the behavioral preferences of zoo-housed individuals. The welfare of captive primates is commonly measured by the expression of species-typical behaviors; and more recently by analyzing space use. Here, we present data from a study on preferential space use for three adult orangutans housed at Auckland Zoo. One of the zoo's main goals, with the recent introduction of an overhead line pathway, was to encourage arboreal movement and to increase time spent off the ground. Findings from this study show significant departure from expected values for use of both location and height. Most notably, all individuals used the overhead pathway within values expected by chance, but there was significant variation in location use within the enclosure. Residuals indicate that each orangutan has personal preference for different areas and height ranges of their enclosure, which is supported by behavioral observations. Enclosure use is heavily influenced by individual preferences, physical capabilities, and husbandry practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":56277,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science","volume":" ","pages":"703-714"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144057730","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Individually Ventilated Cages Severely Attenuate Inter-Cage Ultrasonic Vocalizations in Rats.","authors":"K Jack Scott, David K Bilkey","doi":"10.1080/10888705.2025.2508270","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10888705.2025.2508270","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Individually ventilated cages (IVCs) benefit rodent and researcher health but may limit animals' ability to communicate with cage-neighbours via ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs). Despite USVs' importance in rodent social behaviour, no previous research has investigated IVCs' impact on between-cage USV transmission. We recorded USV transmission between cages housing Sprague-Dawley rats in three conditions: in an open cage rack setting with microphone in an empty cage; from an open cage with a microphone outside an enclosed IVC; and between adjacent IVCs (with microphone in empty IVC). We compared the number and amplitude of USVs detected during 10-minute sessions across conditions. To verify results weren't due to differences in USV generation between cage types, we simultaneously recorded with two microphones, one inside an IVC and one in an adjacent enclosed IVC. Results showed USVs generated in open cages were clearly detectable in adjacent open cages but attenuated outside IVCs and virtually undetectable in adjacent IVCs. Since this loss of inter-cage USVs may affect animal behaviour, we recommend adjustments to cage design and handling procedures to mitigate these effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":56277,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science","volume":" ","pages":"730-739"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144144610","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Horse Owners' Knowledge of Fundamental Care and their Perceptions on the Implementation of a Mandatory Certificate of Knowledge.","authors":"Megan Watney, Bryony Lancaster, Hayley Randle","doi":"10.1080/10888705.2024.2393124","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10888705.2024.2393124","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aims of this study were to first determine the extent of owners' fundamental knowledge of equine care, second, gain their opinions on the implementation of a mandatory certificate of knowledge and third, to investigate the association of certification on horse owner knowledge. An online survey comprising 23 questions (18 closed, 5 open) was distributed worldwide via snowball sampling, and completed by 1847 horse owners who were all ≥18 years old from 17 different countries. Almost all (96%, <i>n</i> = 1781) completed surveys were usable. Just over half (52%) of participants held a current equine knowledge certification, and 59% believed a mandatory certificate of knowledge should be necessary to buy, own, or sell a horse. Horse owners with an equine certificate of knowledge were more likely to be in favor of a mandatory certificate (Pearson's Chi-squared = 50.79, df = 1, <i>p</i> < 0.0001). The mean correctly answered knowledge questions was 68%, indicating that approximately 1/3 of horse owners lacked fundamental horse care knowledge. Further examination indicated that participating horse owners showed the least understanding in the behavioral interactions domain (ANOVA F(4, 24) = 4.98, <i>p</i> < 0.01), specifically in relation to pain recognition and learning theory terminology. Arguably, this deficit in knowledge and likely correct application increases the risk of owners using misinformed or inappropriate techniques to manage horse behavior and training, predisposing the horse to experiencing a sub-optimal quality of life. Overall no significant difference was found between the total correct scores of horse owners with or without a certificate (ANOVA F(1, 56) = 0.78, <i>p</i> > 0.05); however, a series of Chi-squared tests revealed that for the more complex questions, horse owners with a certificate scored better than those without (all <i>p</i> < 0.05). Further work is needed to develop an evidence-based assessment framework if mandatory certification of horse owners is to become an effective tool for improving horse welfare and quality of life.</p>","PeriodicalId":56277,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science","volume":" ","pages":"653-672"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142082722","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}