Zoo Animal Welfare

Maple and Perdue's book provided a comprehensive treatment of welfare science as applied to zoos and aquariums, covering its history, ethical foundations, assessment methods and practical application to husbandry and exhibit design. Drawing on Maple's long career advancing naturalistic exhibits and welfare-oriented management, the book argued that zoos have an obligation to pursue not merely adequate but optimal, thriving welfare, and it linked welfare to conservation, education and institutional mission. It addressed enrichment, training, exhibit design and the measurement of wellbeing across taxa. The volume is a standard reference in the field and underpins modern, welfare-centred approaches to managing carnivores and felids in accredited institutions.