Calling all researchers - topics of interest
The WAWC has identified a number of wildlife welfare issues which merit further scientific inquiry, for example in the form of an undergraduate or Masters project (or similar).
Specifically, we would like to encourage researchers to look at the following topics:
Anthropogenic impacts on avian welfare in the UK
Anthropogenic impacts on reptile / amphibian welfare in the UK
Dichotomy of views in the UK veterinary profession on wildlife welfare
Time to irrecoverable unconsciousness (TIU) – background; times permitted under different circumstances etc
A review of the evidence about the welfare of the shooting of mammals
A survey into attitudes to the welfare of shooting mammals and birds
Project on the welfare of animals caught by traps in the UK
How do UK public attitudes to animal welfare differ between research animals, livestock, pets and wildlife? Why, and does it matter? How concerned are they?
How do attitudes to animal welfare in the UK veterinary profession differ between research animals, livestock, pets and wildlife? Why, and does it matter?
The first two topics follow up existing research already carried out for the WAWC on anthropogenic impacts on terrestrial mammals and marine mammals, intended for publication shortly. For anyone interested in either of these two areas of inquiry, there are summaries of the mammal projects in our Activity Review 2016-2018
Please note whilst WAWC is not able to offer financial support, members of the Committee are happy to help (co-) supervise / provide guidance to anyone undertaking one of these projects. WAWC may look to use any suitable reports received to inform its work (with due recognition) and may make them available on the website with full acknowledgement.
Contact the WAWC on wildanimalwelfarecommittee@gmail.com.