International Society for Applied Ethology 2024

interactive workshop

Integrating Wild Animal Welfare Science into Ethology

Welfare considerations have been progressively integrated into behavioral research and management of farm and companion animals. However, the application of such principles in wild animal research and management remains under-explored. This workshop aims to bridge this gap by offering a dynamic exploration of the intersection between wildlife and welfare through the application of ethological methods.

The workshop will start with an interactive discussion session to explore participants' familiarity with wild animal welfare science. Then, we will examine the challenges that behavioral researchers have faced or anticipate facing when considering animal welfare in behavioral research on wild animals, as well as discussing the barriers to implementing animal welfare approaches in the wild. Following this, we will have a 15-minute introduction to the field of wild animal welfare and how its integration can increase reproducibility and repeatability. To delve deeper into the subject, participants will be divided into groups for a 20-minute session to discuss the unique questions they might associate with welfare assessment in wild animals. This group activity serves as a platform for participants to share insights and perspectives, enhancing their understanding of the complexities involved in studying welfare in the wild.

The focus of the workshop will be to explore  case studies. We will introduce participants to studies currently being conducted in wild animal welfare research and facilitate participant discussion. This part will provide participants with insights into the challenges and opportunities of studying free-ranging animals and the necessary adaptations in methodologies. These include the challenges associated with studying animals in the wild, adapting welfare science methods for free-ranging individuals, and the validation of such methodologies for novel species. This approach offers participants practical experience of incorporating welfare considerations into behavioural research, contributing to a more holistic understanding of animal behavior, and encouraging participants to consider the application of welfare methods and results to the study of wild animal welfare.

The workshop will emphasize the significance of welfare in wild animal behavior research. By addressing critical questions, participants will not only gain practical skills but also develop a deeper understanding for the interconnectedness of wild animal welfare and behavior. This workshop serves as a valuable platform for researchers to enhance their methodological approaches, increase the rigor with which they undertake behavioral research, and foster a more ethical, rigorous, and comprehensive understanding of animal behavior across diverse environments and species.