Zoo Animal Welfare

Zoo Animal Welfare Research Collaboration

Collaboration between zoos and academic researchers generates welfare science evidence that improves captive animal management and informs broader animal welfare understanding.

Key Facts

Zoo-based research produces behavioural and physiological data from stable populations
Cognitive research in zoos has informed understanding of animal cognition across species
Zoo animals provide opportunities for non-invasive welfare research impractical in wild settings
Research findings from zoo-based studies inform both captive and wild population management
Publication of zoo welfare research enables knowledge sharing across the sector

Welfare Considerations

Zoo-academic research collaboration generates welfare science evidence that improves individual animal management while contributing to broader understanding of animal cognition, behaviour, and welfare needs. Supporting research-active zoos provides both direct welfare benefits to zoo animals and wider benefits for animal welfare knowledge.

What You Can Do

Visit zoos that actively partner with universities for welfare research
Support zoo welfare research through donations and membership
Advocate for research partnerships as a component of zoo accreditation