The Wire

Currently, Australasian Zoos’ animal welfare standards are only required to meet the minimum as set by the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria. For many animals this means hit and miss living conditions. But a Queensland University PhD student has devised an index incorporating seventeen different attributes to act as checks for zoos over the world. Using Great Apes as her subject, Amanda Fernie is hoping to achieve an optimum level of welfare for all captive creatures.