Invertebrates and lower vertebrates in zoos receive less welfare attention than charismatic megafauna despite potential sentience.
The welfare of invertebrates and lower vertebrates in zoos has long been overshadowed by attention to charismatic mammals and birds. Yet these animals make up a large portion of zoo collections and may include genuinely sentient beings — particularly octopuses and other cephalopods — whose needs require active welfare consideration. As sentience science expands, zoo welfare standards for these groups need to evolve accordingly.