Improving Animal Welfare Assessment in Italian Zoos
Author Information
Author(s): de Mori Barbara, Mercugliano Elena, Cerizza Adriana F., Biasetti Pierfrancesco, Florio Daniela, Da Re Riccardo, Mazzariol Sandro, Usachova Olga, Basile Simone, Gili Claudia, Rota Nodari Sara
Primary Institution: University of Padua, Padua, Italy
Hypothesis
This study aimed to identify the most important criteria for assessing animal welfare in Italian zoos and aquaria.
Conclusion
The study developed a standardized approach for evaluating animal welfare in Italian zoos, resulting in three lists of questions covering 80 topics and 174 indicators.
Supporting Evidence
- The study identified 80 topics and 174 indicators for animal welfare assessment.
- Experts reached a consensus on the importance of various welfare criteria.
- The Delphi method allowed for structured expert input and consensus building.
- The results contribute to the development of zoological regulations in Italy.
- The study highlights the need for standardized animal welfare assessment tools.
- Future projects will test and refine the developed questionnaire.
- The findings emphasize the link between animal welfare and species conservation.
- The study represents the first application of the Delphi method for this purpose in Italy.
Takeaway
Experts worked together to create a list of questions to help zoos check if animals are being treated well.
Methodology
The study used the Delphi technique, involving multiple rounds of questionnaires to gather expert opinions.
Potential Biases
The diverse backgrounds of experts may have influenced the topics included or excluded from the study.
Limitations
The complexity of animal welfare and the diverse species in zoos made it challenging to cover all aspects in a single consultation.
Participant Demographics
The expert panel included 74 individuals, with a skewed sex ratio favoring males (59.45%).
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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