Who reviews what you do at the zoo? Considerations for research ethics with captive exotic animals

Bibliographic Data

ID21787604
AuthorsEduardo J Fernandez (0000-0001-5444-6604, The University of Adelaide, corresponding author), Todd J Mcwhorter (0000-0002-4746-4975, The University of Adelaide)
Year2023
Volume19
Issue4
Pages419-432
Publication date2023-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueResearch Ethics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1747-0161 • E-ISSN: 2047-6094
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/17470161231188615
OpenAlexW4385240246
LanguageEN
References cited46

Research in zoos is an important scientific endeavor that requires several complex considerations in order to occur. Among those many considerations are the ethics involved in conducting zoo research. However, it is not always clear how zoo researchers should go about resolving any research ethics matters, even determining when some type of research ethics committee should be involved in those deliberations. Our paper attempts to provide some resolutions for these issues, namely in three sections: (1) a brief history of human and animal research ethics, (2) general guidelines for zoo research ethics applications, and (3) theoretical, ethical dilemmas at the zoo. In each section, we consider pragmatic attempts to resolve any issues, as well as provide examples to illustrate our points. The primary focus of the paper is to facilitate consideration of the wide array of ethical factors any zoo researcher might encounter, as well as provide a basic set of ethical guidelines for zoo research. We also emphasize the importance of the welfare of the animals for all zoo research projects

Animal welfare · Biology · Engineering ethics · Environmental ethics · Ethical issues · Political science · Research ethics · Sociology · Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies · Animal testing and alternatives · Computer Science · Engineering · Human-Animal Interaction Studies · Philosophy · Ecology

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