International expertise focuses on zoo animal welfare

Heather Bacon of the JMICAWE recently visited China to teach at the China Association of Zoological Gardens’ (CAZG) Behaviour Management workshop, held at the North-East Forestry University in Harbin, China. This unique project is a collaboration between the University, CAZG and two NGOs, Animals Asia and Humane Society International  to strengthen the understanding of zoo animal behaviour and welfare at zoos across China. The workshop was attended by 36 delegates from 24 zoos across china, and the programme included Chinese experts on animal behaviour, along with the JMICAWE’s Heather Bacon, Twycross zoo’s Julian Chapman, Oregon zoo’s Dr David Shepherdson and Dr Hani Freeman from the Lincoln Park zoo.

 Speaking after the meeting Heather said “Collaborative education projects are incredibly important in sharing understandings, perspectives and expertise. In a controversial industry like the zoo industry, collaboration allows academic expertise, industry management and charitable organisations to work together to improve the lives of animals housed in zoos.”