The wellbeing of undesired animals in zoos and aquariums
Compassionate zoo grounds for everyone: Care and regard for undesired animals
Written by Sabrina Brando and Max Norman
Who are undesired animals?
Zoos and aquariums are not only home to a myriad of species in human care, but also to a multitude of free-living wildlife species that call the facility grounds their home. Animal care facilities, thus, face the complex challenge of managing these so-termed ‘undesirable’ species that are not deliberately housed. These so-called "pest" species can include rodents, bird and insect populations that have the potential to damage property and infrastructure, spread disease, compromise animal wellbeing through injury, illness, or resource competition, and they may also pose risks to visitor and staff safety. Nonetheless, they have become reliant on our facilities as places of shelter, as a food source, and safe places from predation and other pressures of the outside world.
Compassion for all beings
While undesirable, these...
Fight, flight, freeze, and fawn behaviour in animals
Fight, fight, or freeze?
Chances are, you’re familiar with the term “fight or flight”. These words have become ingrained in our understanding of how animals tend to react when feeling stressed or unsafe. The instinctive reaction to either face an aggressor head-on or turn and run to escape conflict, and the biological processes which accompany these responses, are well-known and well-discussed in the animal kingdom. We may also talk about the “freeze” response, where animals remain motionless to avoid drawing attention from a threat. Together, these mechanisms form a repertoire of protective behaviours which aim to manage threat responses and enhance survival either as part of predator-prey dynamics or as part of managing their social groups within their species. However, another response occurs which is often overlooked - the "fawn" response.
What is the fawn response?
Better described in studies of human trauma responses, the fawn response...
Last chance to have your say
Last chance to have your say for 2024
Membership that helps you make a difference for animals, people, and the planet - now wouldn't that be something special...
The INTERBEING platforms highlight interconnection. They combine science, compassion, and community so that you have a toolbox of opportunities for positive change. You are supported to feel good while doing good for animals, people, the planet and yourself.
The four interconnected platforms include:
- Regular webinars to learn from experts - but who do you want to hear from?
- Tools and resources that put science into practice - but what's most helpful?
- Topics that highlight interconnection - but what topics are interesting?
We're about to plan the platforms for 2024
You get to guide the decision making
Last chance to have your say
Not a member?
That's okay! We make a lot of free resources that you can access without being a member. Our goal is to make learning accessible, interesting and interconnected....
You want a membership that continues to work for you - Survey
You want a membership that continues to work for you
Which is why we we're asking you:
What would you like to see more of in 2024?
The Animal, Human and Planetary wellbeing platforms, including Foundations, are designed for you. They should be an interesting place, full of support and help with how to actually put your learning into practice in the real world.
Which is why we're already looking ahead.
To make the platforms work as best as they possibly can for you, they need to be tailor-made and designed with care. Could you spare a couple of minutes to help us do that for you?
This survey won’t take long - we promise!
Thank you!
Coming to the Conferences?
To do that, we all need to be sharing with and learning from others. Conferences are exciting places to do just that. Which is why we’re off to Ohio!
AnimalConcepts at AZA Conference
Consider the animals that you care for.
What do they do when you're not around to watch them?
We'll be presenting on this very topic at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Annual Conference hosted by Columbus Zoo. We'll explore techniques and technologies to improve the experience of animals overnight and throughout their lifespan. We're also presenting two posters covering human wellbeing and food sourcing practices within zoos.
AnimalConcepts at AAZK Conference
The Keynote: How do you care?
How do you care for yourself as an individual. At a leadership level. And as a whole team or organisation. How do you care with compassion and lead with purpose?
Our...
Sustainable practices at animal care organisations & sleep in the digital age
Sustainable practices at animal care organisations
Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important topic in the management of zoos, aquaria, and other animal care organisations, recognising their responsibility to reduce their environmental impact and promote sustainable practices. Many organisations are involved in conservation, education and research, and sustainability is essential to the success of these efforts too. Visitors expect contemporary institutions to be leaders who promote sustainable practices and demonstrate their commitment to environmental preservation.
Animal care organisations play an important role in meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Annually, AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums provide information about their green business practices through AZA’s Green Practices survey. The database created from this survey serves as a tool for members to document their staffing, the sourcing of local food,...
Discovering urban green areas & wild animals in cities
The importance of urban green spaces
We know going for walks is a good idea to connect with the world around us, disconnect from work, get away from screens, enjoy time with family or friends, or do a bit of self-care by practising walking meditation. However, living in a busy city or an urban area does not always make this easy. Considering the high temperatures we are currently experiencing due to climate change, we might need to adjust the times we walk and where we walk. More and more towns and cities are planting and maintaining green spaces with trees and shrubs which are not only beautiful and soothing to look at but also provide immediate benefits. The air is cooler, you can sit in the shade, and everything becomes quieter which can help you feel more relaxed. Urban green spaces are important to your wellbeing, as well as other people, animals, and other vegetation sharing these spaces.
Urban green areas are vital components of cities and urban environments. These areas...
Seminar in France on Take care to give care, Trainer-animal interactions & Respect as a transformative force
Seminar in France in French on Take care to give care: Prendre soin de soi pour prendre soin des autres
"I look forward to hearing Sabrina again inspire professionals to keep their own well-being part of the equation. I often see passionate professionals who get educated to do their job better with more knowledge in their field. They are aware it can drain a lot of their energy and influence how they practice; yet, so few of them have the tools and techniques to keep it up and be able to take care of themselves. Thus I look forward to hearing Sabrina again inspire them to keep their own well-being as part of the equation. Sabrina makes it a whole experience: not just a few words to cheer up, but another perspective for another lifestyle", say seminar organiser Ingrid Mulson from K9 voice.
En quoi consiste ces deux jours ?
Nous ne pouvons donner aux autres, et le faire durablement, que si nous aussi nous nous sentons bien. Pendant deux jours, Sabrina nous proposera des outils...
Master course collaboration at University of Padua & Undigital
AnimalConcepts is delighted to announce the collaboration with the University of Padua in the V edition of the specialisation Master course "Developing a future for wildlife: An integrated approach to conservation".
This course aims to train professionals in the conservation and management of wildlife. Students will have the opportunity to develop an integrated approach, based on a One Health perspective, both theoretical and technical, and practical, to manage wild animals, species and habitat preservation projects, in a sustainable and local conflict management perspective. The course will develop a perspective of sustainability and management of local conflicts based on the human dimensions approach. The course is divided into three modules, with various topics such as:
- Ecology and biodiversity
- Human-Wildlife conflict and interaction
- Wildlife welfare
- Biotechnology for conservation
- Human dimension and conflict management
- Conservation ethics and education
You can find more...
The team of AnimalConcepts is growing!
Press Release
AnimalConcepts is joyful to welcome Irma Verhoeven MA and Hannah Jenkins BSc to the team! Irma joins as an Environmental, Education and Social Architect and Hannah as a Storyteller.
Global collaboration is a fundamental value at AnimalConcepts. Irma and Hannah will play important roles in supporting and expanding our services and resources advocating for animal, human, and planetary wellbeing. AnimalConcepts is committed to the Earth Charter and greatly values the overarching principle ‘respect and care for the community of life’. We use the Earth Charter as an ethical lens to guide our decisions and work towards a just, sustainable, peaceful and ethical society. Continuing to create and embody a culture of care is core to our purpose and rooted in and based on an interconnected culture of care and respect. Our perspectives, beliefs, narratives, and expectations have an influence on...
