Zoo Animal Welfare

by Paul Rose, Zoe Newnham, Ian Hickey
November 2025

Zoo Animal Welfare unpacks the different concepts of welfare in the zoo and aquarium, considering how enclosure design, nutrition, conservation activities, visitor engagement and daily husbandry all need to have a welfare focus to be relevant to the species being housed. The book provides the practical application of evidence-based welfare theory, centered on the concept of “welfare-focused husbandry”, which enables zoo animals to experience positive welfare.

Recognizing that welfare is a complex and challenging area of science, the first section of the book provides core introductory material defining welfare in the zoo and looking at how the wild is managed ethically. It then delves into current issues with contributed chapters exploring topics such as environmental enrichment, nutrition, the impacts of human presence in the zoo, conservation welfare, use of social media and population management.

Packed with case studies and exploration of emerging issues in the field (e.g. novel technology for welfare assessment, welfare considerations of overlooked taxa), this book is essential reading for higher-level undergraduate and postgraduate students and academics who wish to study the welfare of captive wild animals, as well as for all those working in animal care and zoo operations. Zoo Animal Welfare will empower readers to go “beyond the norm” when considering what zoo animals really need, applying their new knowledge for the benefit of both animals and zoos.