Assessing zookeeper perspectives on animal welfare: the role of the Five Domains model and background factors
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Animal welfare is an increasing concern in zoos. Continuous efforts are made to enhance and assess it. Understanding how zookeepers conceptualize and assess the welfare is essential for improvement. This study investigates whether the zookeepers’ perceptions of welfare align with the modern Five Domains model of animal welfare, and whether specific welfare components are prioritised over others. It also explores whether background factors such as work experience, education or work versatility influence these perceptions. These were investigated by conducting interviews of zookeepers in Korkeasaari zoo. A mixed-methods approach was used with qualitative data and statistical analyses to examine the influence of the background variables and a potential species bias with the quantitative data. The results showed that zookeepers’ views largely aligned with the Five Domains model, with no significant influence of the background factors on their perceptions of welfare. There was variation in the numbers of Domain quotations per individual, suggesting other factors, such as personality, to influence the perceptions. Zookeepers emphasised the behavioural and environmental welfare components, frequently discussing these from a negative perspective, and linking these components to the challenges that the zoo faces. This may suggest that these aspects of welfare are seen less fulfilled compared to the others. A significant focus on mammals was also found. For future research, the drivers for the perceptions of welfare should be explored more, and bias for mammals should be reduced in zoos to ensure equally good welfare and assessments for all species. As welfare assessments are an important part of zoo animal welfare, professional development courses on animal welfare provided by the zoo could be recommended, to keep zookeepers informed with the current research and to ensure a more balanced consideration of the components of welfare in these assessments. The 5 Domains model is ready to be implemented into research and zoos practices more thoroughly than it is today. Making it a clearer core element of the daily operations in zoos could help achieve better animal welfare in the future.
Source: Työväentutkimus Vuosikirja
Author: Ikonen, Janita Kaisa Johanna
Language: English
Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7197972288