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Deflighting zoo birds and its welfare considerations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

L Reese ,
M Ladwig-Wiegard ,
L von Fersen ,
G Haase ,
H Will ,
R Merle ,
D Encke ,
H Maegdefrau ,
K Baumgartner  and
C Thöne-Reineke
L Reese*
Affiliation:
Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behaviour and Laboratory Animal Science, Königsweg 67, D-14163 Berlin, Germany
M Ladwig-Wiegard
Affiliation:
Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behaviour and Laboratory Animal Science, Königsweg 67, D-14163 Berlin, Germany
L von Fersen
Affiliation:
Tiergarten Nürnberg, Am Tiergarten 30, D-90480 Nuremberg, Germany
G Haase
Affiliation:
Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behaviour and Laboratory Animal Science, Königsweg 67, D-14163 Berlin, Germany
H Will
Affiliation:
Tiergarten Nürnberg, Am Tiergarten 30, D-90480 Nuremberg, Germany
R Merle
Affiliation:
Freie Universität Berlin, Institute for Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Königsweg 67, D-14163 Berlin, Germany
D Encke
Affiliation:
Tiergarten Nürnberg, Am Tiergarten 30, D-90480 Nuremberg, Germany
H Maegdefrau
Affiliation:
Tiergarten Nürnberg, Am Tiergarten 30, D-90480 Nuremberg, Germany
K Baumgartner
Affiliation:
Tiergarten Nürnberg, Am Tiergarten 30, D-90480 Nuremberg, Germany
C Thöne-Reineke
Affiliation:
Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behaviour and Laboratory Animal Science, Königsweg 67, D-14163 Berlin, Germany
*
* Contact for correspondence: lukas.reese@fu-berlin.de
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Abstract

For over a century the practice of deflighting has taken place in zoological collections in order to ensure birds remain in open-topped enclosures. Over time, efforts have been made to improve or develop new (surgical) techniques, reduce risk of complications during deflighting and minimise stress and pain during the procedure. However, increased public interest in issues of animal welfare has coincided with a questioning of the practice of removing a bird's ability to fly. The ensuing debate, which continues to progress among a variety of differing stakeholders, has led to various legislative adjustments across a number of countries. Despite significant legislation, the dialogue has been both subjective and highly emotive. A plethora of opinions exist as to why deflighting should be outlawed, why it is necessary, or how it has the potential to improve a bird's living conditions. However, most are based on assumption or issues unrelated to welfare. To the authors’ knowledge, to date, no scientific data have been published on the welfare implications of deflighting for the commonly deflighted bird species, such as waterfowl, flamingos (Phoenicopteridae), pelicans (Pelecanidae), storks (Ciconiidae), cranes (Gruidae) and herons (Ardeidae). The aim of this study is to present an overview of the relevance of deflighting to zoo husbandry, the species primarily affected, the techniques currently in use, the legality in differing countries and the extent of scientific knowledge as regards potential ethological and welfare concerns. An urgent need for evidence-based studies is highlighted, to further inform this practice at a species-specific level.

Keywords

animal welfarebirdsdeflightingpinioningwing-clippingzoo
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 29 , Issue 1 , February 2020 , pp. 69 - 80
Copyright
© 2020 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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