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Toward a synthesis of conservation and animal welfare science

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

D Fraser
D Fraser*
Affiliation:
Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, Canada
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Abstract

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Conservation biology and animal welfare science are multidisciplinary fields of research that address social concerns about animals. Conservation biology focuses on wild animals, works at the level of populations, ecological systems and genetic types, and deals with threats to biodiversity and ecological integrity. Animal welfare science typically focuses on captive (often domestic) animals, works at the level of individuals and groups, and deals with threats to the animals’ health and quality of life. However, there are many areas of existing or potential overlap: (i) many real-life problems, such as environmental contamination, urban development and transportation, create problems for animals that involve both welfare and conservation; (ii) research methods from each field are needed to address some of the scientific problems of the other; and (iii) policies and practices targeting either conservation or animal welfare may prove unproductive if they do not take account of both areas of concern. Moreover, scientists in both fields face the common challenge of applying science to guide policy and practice, often to issues that are both empirical and ethical, and often under conditions of uncertainty. There are many cases where communication and co-operation between the fields should lead to better science and better practical outcomes.

Keywords

animal welfareanimal welfare scienceconservationconservation biologyinterdisciplinary sciencepolicy
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 19 , Issue 2 , May 2010 , pp. 121 - 124
Copyright
© 2010 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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