Managing end of life welfare in zoo animals requires clear quality of life frameworks, appropriate pain management and honest decision-making about euthanasia without the economic pressures of agricultural contexts.
Zoo animal end-of-life welfare requires explicit protocols and ethical frameworks that prioritise animal welfare over exhibition value, collection continuity or public sentiment. Animals should not be kept alive past the point where quality of life is maintained simply because their death would disappoint visitors or create management challenges. Good end-of-life zoo welfare means proactive quality of life monitoring from middle age onwards, pain management protocols for common geriatric conditions, timely euthanasia decisions when quality of life is no longer sustainable, and honest communication with the public about end-of-life decisions. Zoo accreditation should include requirements for documented euthanasia decision protocols and regular geriatric welfare assessment.