Integrating Individual Animal and Population Welfare in Zoos and Aquariums

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The science of animal welfare can be approached along a continuum of perspectives. Historically, we considered animal welfare at a distance, through a big-picture examination of population-level parameters (e.g., longevity, reproductive success). In recent decades, scientists and practitioners have advanced the field and optimized animal welfare by incorporating a focused approach examining each individual (e.g., their lived experiences). Population-level welfare evaluations are key to validating parameters used to measure individual animal welfare and have an important role when individual animal welfare cannot be easily measured. However, there are also situations in which individual and population welfare may be in conflict, and managers must consider maximizing population welfare at the expense of individuals. We examine these cases and explore opportunities for the integration of individual and population-level welfare to promote optimal well-being for animals in zoos and aquariums. ABSTRACT: Over the last 50 years, animal welfare science has advanced dramatically, especially in zoos and aquariums. A shifting focus from population-level welfare parameters such as reproductive success and longevity (macroscopic, big-picture concepts) to the subjective experience of individual animals (microscopic, focused concepts) has led to more effective animal welfare assessments and improvements in animal welfare. The interplay between individual animal and population welfare for captive animals is critical to the way zoos and aquariums operate to realize their welfare and conservation missions, especially when these missions conflict with one another. In this report, we explore the intersection of individual animal and population welfare in zoos and aquariums and how these two concepts may support one another or be in conflict.