Zoos & Captivity

Zoo Welfare Assessment: Five Domains Framework

The Five Domains Model provides a comprehensive welfare assessment framework increasingly adopted by zoos and wildlife facilities globally.

Key Facts

The Five Domains cover nutrition, environment, health, behaviour, and mental state
Unlike the Five Freedoms, Five Domains explicitly includes positive welfare states, not just absence of negatives
Implementation requires trained assessors and structured observation protocols
Zoos using Five Domains assessment report improved welfare planning and enrichment design

Welfare Considerations

The Five Domains Model represents the state of the art in welfare assessment for captive animals. Its explicit inclusion of positive mental states aligns welfare science with the goal of flourishing, not just suffering reduction. Its adoption by zoos represents a meaningful commitment to evidence-based welfare management.

What You Can Do

Support zoos that publicly publish Five Domains welfare assessments for their animals
Engage with zoo welfare science organisations developing Five Domains assessment tools
Advocate for Five Domains assessment to be required in zoo accreditation standards