Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies

Discovering subclinical effects of limited outdoor access on gait and hoof health of cows housed in movement-restricted environments

This study assesses the subclinical effects of limited outdoor access on gait and hoof health in cows using non-clinical methods, finding changes in stride, pressure, and temperature that are not detectable by traditional assessments.

IntelliProfiler: a research workflow for analyzing multiple animals with a high-resolution home-cage RFID system

IntelliProfiler analyzes multi-animal behavior in home cages using RFID data to quantify locomotion and social interactions, revealing sex, age, and paternal-aging effects on social behavior.

Automated, Stress-Free, and Precise Measurement of Songbird Weight in Neuroscience Experiments

This paper introduces an automated system for continuously monitoring songbird weight without disrupting behavior, revealing physiological patterns and validating its sensitivity for long-term studies.

Assessing fish welfare in small-scale commercial fixed-net fisheries off the southern Portuguese coast

This study assesses fish welfare in small-scale fixed-net fisheries by evaluating behavioural and physiological indicators across four species.

Positive Reinforcement Training Insight from Working Elephants in India

This study shows that positive reinforcement training reduces stress in captive working elephants over time, supporting its use for improving animal welfare.

Hunger, displacement, or play? Object manipulation behaviour in Asian small-clawed otters (Aonyx cinereus)

This study examines object manipulation behaviours in Asian small-clawed otters, finding they are more likely play rather than hunger-driven, and more frequent outside their den.

Effect of fluid control on the affective state of laboratory macaques

This study investigates the effect of fluid control on the affective state of laboratory macaques and finds no significant impact on their psychological well-being.

Assessing the impact of temperament on training efficiency in x-situ Red Brocket Deer (Mazama americana)

This study examines how temperament affects training efficiency in red brocket deer, finding that more reactive animals had poorer training outcomes.

The effects of human presence, restraint, and stressed neighbors on corticosterone levels in domesticated budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus)

This study measures corticosterone levels in budgerigars to assess stress from human presence, restraint, and social stress transmission, finding that repeated handling and restraint cause significant stress, while social stress transmission is limited.

Structural enrichment for captive macaques - a systematic review and meta-analysis of behavioral outcomes

This study reviews and analyzes 61 years of research on structural enrichment in captive macaques, finding it generally beneficial for reducing negative behaviors.

Modelling coordinated nocturnal rhythms in ungulates

The paper analyzes nocturnal behavior patterns in ungulates across zoos, finding that younger animals show increased interruptions in standing phases and high coordination between animals in the same enclosure.

Pigs' brain responses to stroking after long-term positive human interactions: An fMRI exploratory study

This study uses fMRI to examine brain responses to human stroking in pigs with and without prior positive interactions, finding differences in activation patterns associated with positive or novel stimuli.

Computer Vision for Lesser Egyptian Jerboa (Jaculus jaculus) Behavioral Analysis and Animal Care Refinement

This study uses computer vision to analyze Lesser Egyptian Jerboa behavior, showing it matches human accuracy and improves welfare assessment.

Assessment of pupillometry across different commercial systems of laying hens to validate its potential as an objective indicator of welfare

This study validates the IP ratio as a non-invasive indicator of welfare in laying hens, showing it is influenced by housing systems but not light or age.

Rewilded Highland Cattle in conservation grazing may not groom more when horseflies are present and temperature is higher

This study examines grooming behavior in rewilded Highland cattle, finding that environmental factors like horseflies and temperature have limited effects on grooming patterns.

Influence of enclosure design on the behaviour and welfare of Pogona vitticeps

This study examines if naturalistic enclosures improve the behavior and welfare of captive bearded dragons compared to standard enclosures, finding mixed results.

Introducing the technique of group-handling in C57BL/6NCrl mice using a novel device "Citizen- Chitra Mus-Mobile", a cage-transfer cum enrichment system, reduces stress, anxiety and time taken for cage changes and enhances voluntary interaction

This study demonstrates that group-handling mice using the Mus-Mobile device reduces stress and improves handling efficiency in C57BL/6NCrl mice.

Male mice prefer to live on their own

Reward learning bias, sucrose preference, and ultrasonic vocalisation assays show that singly housed male C57BL/6 mice in conventional cages exhibit a more positive affective state than group-housed mice.

The value of behavioural activity records for conservation breeding: the case of Spix's macaw in human care

This study uses behavioral activity records to improve conservation breeding of Spix's macaws, showing that time-activity similarity between pairs correlates with breeding success.

Give It Time: Green Anacondas Show Prolonged Behavioral Responses to Enclosure Enhancements

This study evaluates how enclosure enhancements affect green anacondas' behavior over time, finding increased activity and space use after modifications, even when habituation was expected.

Revealing the hidden social structure of pigs with AI assisted automated monitoring data and social network analysis

This study applies social network analysis to AI-assisted automated monitoring data to analyze social structures in pigs, revealing changes in group dynamics and individual traits over time.

Maximum vertical height during wing flapping of laying hens captured with a depth camera

This study measures the maximum vertical height hens reach during wing flapping using a depth camera, finding an average of 51.0 cm with no physical correlates.

No baby boom of social mammals in European zoos resulting from COVID-19 lockdowns

This study examines whether reduced visitor numbers during COVID-19 lockdowns affected birth rates in European zoo mammals, finding no significant impact.

Evaluation of welfare indicators for companion parrots: a Delphi consultation survey

This study evaluates welfare indicators for companion parrots using a Delphi consultation survey, identifying 73 indicators and recommending suitable species for companionship.

Gene expression comparisons between captive and wild shrew brains reveal captivity effects

The paper compares gene expression in captive and wild shrew brains, finding hundreds of differentially expressed genes linked to neurodegenerative pathways and ribosomal proteins.

An integrated and scalable rodent cage system enabling continuous computer vision-based behavioral analysis and AI-enhanced digital biomarker development

The paper introduces a scalable rodent home cage monitoring system with AI for behavioral analysis and digital biomarker development.

Visitor effect on the behavior of chimpanzees (pan troglodyte) at a primate rescue center

This study examines the impact of visitors on chimpanzee behavior at a rescue center, finding no significant increase in abnormal or aggressive behaviors and a slight decrease in affiliative behaviors, suggesting visitor interactions may not harm welfare.

Non-invasive hormone assessment of Australian Merino Rams (Ovis aries): A pilot investigation of cortisol, testosterone and heat stress

This study assesses cortisol and testosterone in wool samples of Australian Merino Rams to evaluate non-invasive hormone assessment and its correlation with heat stress.

Testing the application of plasma glucocorticoids and their ratios as biomarkers of acute and chronic stress in rescued wild koala patients: a pilot study

This pilot study tests plasma glucocorticoids and their ratios as biomarkers for stress in rescued koalas, finding consistent trends but no significant differences, suggesting the need for multiple biomarkers.

Decoding the Language of Chickens - An Innovative NLP Approach to Enhance Poultry Welfare

This paper uses the WHISPER NLP model to classify chicken vocalizations into emotional states, enabling non-invasive welfare monitoring in poultry farming.